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Wednesday, August 24th, 2016
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.
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.
Tags: countertop choices, countertop options, granite countertop alternatives, kitchen countertop, kitchen countertop materials, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, non-granite choices, non-granite countertops, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design | No Comments »
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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