If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, here’s how to choose the best kitchen countertops.
Kitchens are one of the most essential rooms in your house. Beautiful and practical kitchens depend on the design layout of various features, lighting, and equipment used. Among the critical components in a kitchen are the kitchen countertops.
The countertop design brings the kitchen to life, other than serving as a preparation table and an eating platform away from the dining table. Many homeowners prefer kitchen countertops that reflect their personalities. Other than having a wide range of utilities.
There are numerous kitchen remodeling options from which to select the color and pattern that best suit your needs. This article aims to help you understand the different types of kitchen countertops and how to choose the best options for your kitchen remodeling project.
Qualities of a Good Kitchen Countertop
Kitchen countertop materials are essential because they serve as the central place for food preparation and frequently host visitors. It would be best if you considered the following when choosing kitchen countertops:
- Good resistance to stains
- Adequate resistance to heat
- Appealing nature
- Price and Affordability
- Simple to clean and maintain
- Good resistance to scratches and chipping
Whenever you immerse yourself in information on how to choose kitchen countertops, you must identify the various types of kitchen tops.
These include:
- Natural stone countertops
- Quartz countertops
- Wood countertop
- Butcher block countertops
- Granite countertops
- Laminate countertops
- Solid surface countertops
- Marble countertops
Laminate Countertops
Laminate countertops are made by pressing and heating layers of Kraft paper, plastic resins, and protective polymers, along with a thin and sturdy decorative layer. The layer is then adhered to a solid substrate to create a functional surface.
Because of its non-porous surface, stains rarely occur on laminate tops, preventing dirt and moisture from penetrating and making it easy to clean. Moreover, laminates are a popular DIY project because of their easy installation procedures.
While laminate countertops are impact and heat-resistant, they are also easily scratched. Use cutting boards, trivets, and hot pads to protect surfaces from harm caused by these things. Laminate kitchen countertops have little to no market value if you want to sell your home.
Hardware stores and cabinet retailers offer a wide range of design and color options, and their sales executives will show you how to choose kitchen countertops. Specially produced laminate worktops in numerous colors can mimic natural stone, quartz, marble, solid surfaces, or any other aesthetic.
Marble Countertops
The gleaming gleam of marble surfaces can add a timeless ambiance to any kitchen. Glowing, expensive marble imparts a radiance that soapstone, granite, or generic materials cannot equal. There are numerous advantages to using marble worktops in your kitchen.
Although marble appears to be one of the more expensive kitchen countertop materials, it can be less expensive than other natural stone countertops. Marble is often less costly than granite or quartz, though pricing may vary based on the selected variety and thickness.
Because marble is a natural stone, it is more resistant to scratching, cracking, and breaking than many other countertop surfaces. Many skilled chefs and kitchen contractors prefer marble counters because they are heat-resistant and will not burn or catch fire.
However, it is best to protect the finish by not placing a hot pan directly on the surface without any protection. Marble’s beauty can be savored for a lifetime if properly laid, sealed, and maintained.
Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface is a mid-range alternative material among the countertops for your kitchen due to its affordability. It’s among the few countertop supplies that an owner or contractor can use an orbital sander to resurface with.
The solid surface doesn’t allow bacteria to thrive due to its low permeability, promoting a cleaner and more hygienic countertop. The material is homogeneous, which differs from laminates, and withstands impact relatively better than the latter.
Some solid surfaces begin to deform around 250°F, implying that one should avoid placing hot, dry, and wet pans on the solid-surfaced counter. Sharp objects should be handled away from solid surfaces because these are known to scratch easily. Therefore, homeowners with solid surface countertops should use cutting boards cautiously.
The restless nature of cooks constantly keeps them on the lookout for the best countertop material. Wood is porous, difficult to clean, and prone to becoming slimy. Ceramic tile is solid and impenetrable, but when grouted seams are installed in large quantities, they make it more challenging to prepare food.
Even the famous granite and marble alternatives are expensive and prone to breaking. Unlike the fissures that occasionally plague natural stone, solid surfaces don’t experience these cracks, making it an affordable and robust material for your kitchen remodel.
Butcher Block Countertops
Butcher block is a timeless and trendy material for kitchen countertops, constructed from separate wooden strips fused together to form a sleek slab. Despite the warm colors of this countertop option, there are many aspects that homeowners need to be aware of, especially knowing installation costs and upkeep requirements, which help you understand how to choose kitchen countertops.
Wood can become contaminated, develop mold, stain, or warp out of shape when exposed to moisture or water. To avoid these effects, seal your butcher block countertops immediately after installation and regularly afterward.
Fortunately, one to two coats of food-safe mineral or walnut oil applied with a soft cloth are all that are required. These non-toxic sealants form barriers that keep spills on the surface and, as a result, prevent water damage. The old adhesive should be removed using sandpaper every ten years when stains become more evident.
Avery Construction provides Kitchen Remodeling Services
A variety of online resources and videos will give you an overview of kitchen countertop options. However, they need to give satisfactory descriptions of the feel of various solid surface materials based on what you may prefer in your kitchen. Ideally, it would be best to assess multiple materials, but this article is a brief guide to help you choose a kitchen countertop.
A kitchen makeover doesn’t have to stop at a kitchen countertop. Avery Home Remodeling has assisted homeowners in bringing their dream kitchens to life. Our team will help you choose and install kitchen countertops that match the theme and design of your dream kitchen.
