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Tuesday, January 24th, 2017
Drexel Heritage Dining Room Evolution Counter Table 640-601
Granite is the leading counter material but with its stunning beauty, it has a tendency to steal the limelight. Its mirror finish is what makes it difficult to be subtle. There are moments when it works but most of the time, it simply hogs the scene.
Great news is here – there are a good number of choices out there that you could pick as an alternative to granite. Here are some non-granite pieces that are also great for counters –
Quartz
A lot of people love the look of granite but if you want to avoid the pitfalls that come with owning this pricey piece, then you could always settle for quartz. This is made from quartz aggregate together with some pigments and binders.
Quartz countertops mimic the beauty of natural stone but it offers an advantage that natural pieces aren’t able to give – it is virtually impermeable. This means that you won’t have to worry about sealing. Even the lightest quartz pieces won’t register stains under regular use.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a non-porous, soft, natural stone. It may be soft but it is quite resilient. This is often a dark stone – almost black – and it shows off a honed surface. Those who cook love soapstone because it is a great heat insulator.
Wood
Wood is recently enjoying a huge comeback. It is no less than a standard for kitchen countertop so no one can discredit its aesthetic appeal as well as its renewability.
Wood countertops are also economical compared to other choices. It could stain more easily, though, but a lot of people still choose it because of its look. With the right maintenance such as light oiling (make sure to use food grade oil), wood countertops can be used for years. Occasional sanding of the stains is also highly recommended.
There are also inexpensive types of wood countertops such as those made of beech.
Wood also works well in bathrooms. Imagine a mahogany piece used beautifully as a bathroom counter.
Recycled Glass
If you love a little sparkle and shine, then the material to have this year is recycled glass. A lot of glass countertops are terrazzo which is an age-old method of making hard surfaces. This involves the fusion of aggregate, concrete and marble chips. The resulting material is then poured into place then smoothened with the use of polishers and grinders. Some recycled glass makers replaced stone aggregates with recycled glass chips. What they have achieved are lovely surfaces that are worthy of homeowners’ attention.
Lexington Bar and Game Room Hidden Lake Bistro Table 714-873
Steel
This is a material that spells durability, light maintenance and sleek. Steel countertops project a lovely yet sturdy aura. It is also crisp and modern which is why it is chosen by many professional chefs.
Steel can last for hundreds of years, if not thousands. The great news is that stainless steel can also be recycled.
Invented in the early 1900s, it has made its way to a lot of commercial kitchens. Since then, residential kitchens caught up and this material has become a standard of sorts when it comes to modern look.
Concrete
Whether as slab or lightweight, concrete is a lovely and versatile countertop material. When pigment is added, as well as surface detailing and aggregates, this durable material can be skillfully customized.
Concrete is advantageous in the sense that it is valuable in the creation of integral sinks. There are now a lot of artisans who specialize in the creation and installation of concrete countertops.
Granite’s Out
See, there are many reasons why granite shouldn’t be your only option. It is being quarried which causes irreparable damage to the environment. Bacteria can also build up in the micro-fractures across the granite surface. You also need to worry about sealing the micro-fractures every year or two.
If you don’t want these hassles, then it’s time to turn to the materials suggested above.
Tags: granite, granite alternatives, granite countertop alternatives, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design | Comments Off on 6 Amazing Granite Alternatives
Saturday, July 2nd, 2016
FFDM’s Palm Island Collection will pair right off with just about any countertop material.
One of the most common questions asked to a bathroom and kitchen designer is this – what other materials, apart from granite, can you suggest for my kitchen counters? While it is true that granite is widely used in most kitchen and bath projects, there are moments when granite simply won’t work.
Granite is a beautiful counter material but it usually steals the spotlight from the rest of the design elements. The mirror finish of granite makes it difficult to subdue this material. There are moments when it works but there are also times when it just won’t support the look that a homeowner has chosen.
The good news is, there are a lot of options in the market for alternatives on granite. Here are some surfaces that would work on your kitchen or bath. Mind you, these are non-granite but absolutely stunning –
Marble
This easily tops the list of materials that can be used to replace granite on kitchen countertops. This is a softer stone when compared to granite. It can be stained and it can also have scratches over time. This is not the material that you would use, though, if you don’t want the look of wearing and aging.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a material that is non-porous, soft and classified as natural stone. It may be soft but it is a pretty resilient material for countertops. It is a dark stone (almost black) plus it comes with a honed surface. Those who love to cook would find soapstone to be a wonderful heat insulator.
Wood
Wood is an excellent alternative to granite because it is both functional and interesting. This material requires periodic oiling, though. This oiling maintenance is needed so that the wood won’t dry out.
Wood also works beautifully in bathrooms.
Quartz Composites
If you love granite so much but would want to avoid the downsides that it offers, then quartz is the way to go. This is made from quart aggregate. It can replicate the beauty of any natural stone.
These are a newer category in the world of countertops. Composites are stone aggregates as well as polymers that were compressed under extreme pressures. The result is a material that is strong and non-porous. Its strength and durability is comparable to natural stones though it is a manufactured product.
Quartz composites come with consistent patterns and colors.
Concrete
Concrete counters are also great because they are one-of-a-kind, durable and long-lasting. Adding stone or any different colored glass to concrete will result an integrated design that is difficult to match.
This is an example of a kitchen island with wood and steel top. (Canadel Kitchen Island ISL4836-T4)
Glass
This is another counter material that may not be as durable as granite but it is just as stylish. Glass can be painted and stacked to provide a strength that is difficult to match. It is one of those unexpected materials that you could use which never fails to get a good response.
There is another type of glass material that you can resort to especially if you’re living a green lifestyle.
Recycled glass sparkles and shines the same way that newly-manufactured ones do. This is often a terrazzo piece, meaning, it has been combined with other materials such as marble chips with concrete. In the case of recycled chip glass chips which are mixed with concrete, well, the resulting products are many eye-catching surfaces.
Steel
Ease of cleaning, sleek style, and durability – these are all the features that make steel a wonderful material for countertops. It also offers a clean, crisp look to any kitchen, thus, those who want to stage a modern space would find it useful.
Steel is also durable enough to literally last for thousands of years. It is also a recyclable material so that’s added great news.
Tags: countertop choices, countertop options, granite alternatives, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, non-granite choices, non-granite countertops
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
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