Basics on Choosing a Kitchen Countertop Material

For many, their kitchen may be the most significant room in their home. And most property industry experts agree that the ultimate way to improve or improve the property value of a residence would be to remodel your kitchen. The four major the different parts of a kitchen remodel usually involve replacing the major appliances, installing new floors, replacing or re-facing your kitchen cabinets, and installing a fresh countertop. Let's concentrate on that final component - replacing your present kitchen countertop material with a fresh one.

Naturally, it involves a lot more than just running off to the store to choose a fresh countertop for the kitchen. You'll first have to consider just how much you need to spend. Additionally you need to consider how much commitment you will have to spend to keep your brand-new countertop. Finally, you will want to you should think about the style and appearance you need in your kitchen. Whatever kind of countertop you install, it'll be the center point of the complete room.

The initial kind of countertop that pops in to the mind of each anxious kitchen renovator is granite. However, there are several countertop materials to select from - and granite is one of these. Nowadays, a kitchen remodeling hopeful can select tile, stone, acrylic, concrete, stainless, and laminate, even wood!

GRANITE

Let's focus on the most famous: granite. Granite countertops will be the most popular but additionally probably the most expensive. Why? Aside from the beautiful surface, granite is incredibly heat and scratch resistant. A granite countertop is quite durable and can last a considerably long time. A granite countertop won't walk out style and granite slab installation will greatly raise the value of the home. The drawbacks? Apart from the trouble, granite is really a natural stone in fact it is porous. A sealer will undoubtedly be necessary to prevent staining. One alternative is by using granite tiles instead of an enormous slab. The price savings on the tiles is high. It is very important not utilize the granite surface as a cutting board since it will dull the final (and ruin a knife or two.)

OTHER NATURAL STONES

Besides granite, you can find other various stone surfaces which you can use on kitchen counters. Quartz, marble, limestone, soapstone, and slate surfaces have become popular today. Marble is smooth and cool, ideal for food preparations on the surface. It isn't as durable as granite and requires more sealing maintenance to safeguard from staining. Slate is quite durable and contains this type of unique surface that it could really stick out in a kitchen. As slate has been used as a roofing material, it generally does not require just as much sealing protection, however, many upkeep continues to be needed. Limestone is quite porous and spills should be treated quickly to avoid staining. It includes a natural, weathered look that may deepen and darken as time passes. Natural quartz includes a look much like slate but will not stain or scratch as easily. Engineered quartz has been gathering popularity as well, however the costs are somewhat more (engineered materials certainly are a quartz composite product blended with epoxy, polymers, and small stones or pebbles for a distinctive appear and feel.)

TILE

Glazed ceramic and porcelain tile has been popular in kitchens for many years. It will come in a huge selection of colors, shapes, and designs. The tiles could be a small as a square inch so when large as six square inches. The tiles are durable and possess a few of the same heat and scratch resistance qualities as granite. The porcelain tiles are often more expensive compared to the ceramic tiles, however the porcelain tiles tend to be more durable and the hardest fired kind of tiles. Drawbacks of tile? It could chip easily, more costly than laminate alternatives, and the grout is definitely an issue. When putting the tiles together, you can find grout lines between all of them and grout can stain quickly. It should take much more maintenance to help keep it looking good. Due to the grout issues, the power for the tiles to break and chip easily, and the entire cost, it is advisable to leave the installation work to a specialist.

CONCRETE

Concrete isn't only for sidewalks or driveways. A concrete countertop is pigmented and may be polished right into a smooth and shiny surface that may resemble any natural stone. The counters could be molded in a factory or cast on site. Concrete is quite porous and must be regularly sealed, much like granite, to resist stains. It could be converted to any shape and also have any thickness. Concrete can be heat and scratch resistant. The counters could be made in a number of colors and textures. Drawbacks on concrete? The sealer that's needed is is not the only real protection needed. The sealer must be waxed everyone to 90 days to avoid stain and water damage and mold, so maintenance could be extensive. You cannot cut on the concrete surface without leaving marks. Concrete can be very costly.

STAINLESS STEEL

A restaurant may possibly be the very first thing one would think about with regards to a stainless kitchen counter. But there exists a reason most restaurants utilize this material. Durability, stain and water resistance, zero-maintenance, an array of decoration choices are simply some of those reasons. It is also very easy to completely clean and you will put a hot plate or pan at first glance without worry of damaging it. Drawback - many do not like the "industrial" look of it. It could be rather expensive to possess made. Cutting onto it can leave marks also it can be an easy task to dent. It is important to make sure the top reaches least 18 gauge and contains eight to 10 % nickel inside it.

WOOD

Sometimes called Butcher Block Countertops, a wood counter is normally created from strips of maple or oak that is glued together. But virtually any hardwood could be converted to countertops. Bamboo countertops will be the latest trend! Wood counter material includes a warm, beautiful look that may come in a number of shades and textures. It's ideal for people who desire to cut on the surface of these counter. It could be sanded and resealed in case of any deep cuts, scratches or stains. It could be an easy task to install and the costs are reasonable. Drawbacks? Wood isn't very hard and will easily burn, scratch, or dent. The wood can warp or turn black near sinks from regular water contact. Also it requires regular sealing.

LAMINATE

Formica may be the most typical name for laminate counters. It's manufactured from a thin layer of plastic glued to particleboard or wood. Plastic laminate counters have become inexpensive, lightweight, and obtainable in an endless way to obtain colors and patterns. It is extremely stain-resistant and, as a plastic-type material, you can easily clean. Since it comes pre-formed, it could be possible for a do-it-yourselfer to set up. Drawbacks to Formica? While these counters are somewhat durable, they don't last forever. Laminates aren't heat or scratch resistant however they are stain resistant. Abrasive cleaners can dull and scratch the top. Warping or water spots occur with excessive contact with moisture. The colour or pattern can fade as time passes.

ACRYLLIC/SOLID SURFACE

Solid surface counters are manufactured tops which are custom-made for just about any application. Popular companies include Corian, Avonite, and Swanstone. These surfaces are durable, water-resistant, an easy task to clean, non-porous, and so are even resistant to mold and bacteria. And nicks or scratches could be sanded away. Drawbacks include problems handling hot pans at first glance, high expense, and the excessive weight takes a good strong cabinet base (much like natural stone.) Some don't like the plastic or "fake" look of the material, however the material has an array of colors to pick from.

Replacing your kitchen countertops is one part of your goal to renovate your kitchen, but it is definitely the biggest step by many. It is possible to really create a statement about your kitchen as well as your home with the proper collection of countertop material. Needless to say, once you care for those exhausted counters that was included with the home, it'll really make those old cabinets, flooring, and appliances stick out! It's all just area of the procedure for increasing the worthiness of one's property.