|
Not for nothing, but remodelers have a dizzying number of options to cover your kitchen surface needs, each with their respective benefits and drawbacks. We'll examine each, showing you the balance each countertop option makes in terms of quality, price and usage.
Wood
That old butcher block isn't just for the meat cleaver anymore.
Laminates
Mention anything with the word "laminate" and it immedately falls out of favor among contemporary homeowners, but today, it's worth a second look. The variety of laminate countertops span any range of decor, and makes color matching an easy task. Like your grandmother's old laminate countertop, however, prolonged exposure to liquids can buckle the substrate of a laminate countertop, causing the laminate to pry off.
Ceramic
Tile countertops are resistant to heat, moisture and stains, and can easily be integrated into a kitchen remodeling project with that nostalgic feel. Downsides to ceramic tile on countertop is the inevitable staining your handy grout work will endure over time. Darker tones of ceramic tile will minimize the aesthetic issue, but a re-grouting of the countertop is likely over the lifetime of the kitchen. It's also nearly impossible to grout a perfectly even tile countertop surface, leaving the home's resident pastry chef or pizza guy hard-pressed to roll out the dough.
Granite
Cool to the touch, stone countertops are ideal for kitchen workstations that involve a lot of bakery work. Hot pots can be applied directly to the surface of a granite countertop without the use of a trivet, not to mention that a granite countertop is imperveous to scratches, stains and blisters.
Generally, they are durable and will last for decades with proper care. Sealants are used to smooth out a granite countertop's porous surface, and they can wear out over time.
Marble
Marble countertops are the epitome of opulence, but require softer use than granite. Because marble is a softer material than granite, it is capable of being scratched or stained. Alternatives to marble include "cultured marble" countertops, which are in fact a polyester resin, and can be repaired with some buffing and a urethane overcoat.
Corian
Made by Dupont, Corian is a mainstay in the countertop industry, with hundreds of remodelers building business from its blend of availability, affordability, durability and easily controllable variety.
Other Options
All options aside, there are stainless steel countertops, which are imperveous to stains, spills, scratches, and likely a prolonged trench battle or two, but it comes at the cost of the home's decor. The stainless steel countertop's native habitat is in hospitals and medical centers, so apart from the occasional home surgery hobby that you pursue on the kitchen island, this option should be reserved for clients that pursure the ultimate modern yet sterile aesthetic.
|
Find Members
Sections
