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Countertop Material: A Facelift Tool for Your Kitchen

Tommy Bahama Home Dining Room Cayman Kitchen Table 531-870

Tommy Bahama Home Dining Room Cayman Kitchen Table 531-870

Whether you have decided to remodel your kitchen or are building one from scratch, countertop is one of the pieces that can make or break your kitchen’s look. You might feel overwhelmed as you take a look at the options that are in the market. The range of countertop surfaces range from the renowned butcher block to terrazzo and glass. Here are some of the most popular –

A Host of Choices in Granite

Granite offers pretty mottling and a wide array of patterns and colors that are beautifully found in nature. This countertop is able to withstand the harshest knife scratches, splashes, wear and tear, even heat.

The downside to granite – just like any other stone countertop – is that it needs to be sealed more often; this is so stains can be avoided. Also, since it is heavy, you’ll need sturdier cabinet materials to support its weight.

Granite price is at $35-$100 each square foot.

Maitland-Smith Bathroom Cast Brass Lion Soap Dish 1254-339 will look great against a new kitchen backsplash.

Maitland-Smith Bathroom Cast Brass Lion Soap Dish 1254-339 will look great against a new kitchen backsplash.

Quartz: Engineered for Beauty

Crafted quartz chips and resin comprise what’s known as quartz surfacing or engineered stone. This is a cross between stone and solid surfacing. This is an engineered product which is why there is a variety of patterns and colors that you could choose from.

Quartz is relatively expensive but when you look at it in the long run, it is a worthwhile investment as it can last for a very long time. Costing $40-$90 for every square foot, it is something that you need to plan for in terms of budget and installation.

The Glamour of Marble

Very few materials can come close to the beauty of marble. It is luminescent and it offers distinctive veining that’s elegant.

Marble stands up very well to heat because it is perennially cool. This is also the reason why bakers prefer it for their pastries and dough.

Marble is susceptible to stains, though, even when you have it sealed. This is why it is not advisable to use this material throughout your kitchen. Limit its use to just one or two areas as it easily chips and scratches.

Marble costs $40-$100 per square foot.

Solid Surfacing Spells Zero Maintenance

Solid surfacing, often generally referred to as Corian, can be maintenance-free. There is no special cleaning or sealing required. It can be susceptible to burns and scratches though these can easily be sanded out.

There are extensive color and patterns choices, with some even looking like natural materials. Experiment with the most vibrant hues like tomato red or turquoise.

A downside to solid surfacing is its artificial look. It may be maintenance-free but it does not stand too well to sharp kitchen tools and hot pans.

Modular, Inexpensive Tiles

Porcelain and ceramic tiles have almost a limitless array of options for styles and colors. Tiles work in most bathrooms and kitchens, with the design ranging from country to anything as majestic as the Old World.

Tiles can withstand sharp cuts and heat, they can even resist stains. They may chip or crack easily but they are quite easy to replace.

Make sure that the installed tiles are sealed so that grout and bacteria won’t grow.

The cost for every tile is at $10-$80 for every square foot.

Laminate: A Kitchen Mainstay

This kitchen countertop material is made out of paper and resins. It is basically particle board that used to be regarded as unstylish but this has been slowly changing over the years. The latest styles are now able to mimic butcher block and natural stone. The greater news is that laminate surfaces are a lot more affordable than most materials.

Laminate surfaces are prone to burns, scratches and staining. The layers can even peel once exposed to moisture and wear and tear.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 24th, 2016 at 10:00 am and is filed under Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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