A Basic Guide to Kitchen Countertop Choices
With such a wide variety of available options, choosing a kitchen countertop is a daunting task. The choice rests ultimately on your preferred combination of design and function. If you love the look and feel of granite, but are afraid of staining, consider a less-porous engineered stone that mimics the look of granite. If you enjoy the warmth of butcher block, but hate the idea of it throughout the kitchen, consider using stone countertops and adding a butcher block center island. The beauty of kitchen countertop materials is you can easily mix and match many of these materials for a custom look. The variety ensures you can get a countertop you love. Does this Spark an idea?
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Stone
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Homeowners have the choice between both natural and engineered stone in many varieties including marble, granite and quartz. Natural stone is mined from the ground in large slabs, trimmed with computer-guided diamond blades and polished to form countertops. Engineered stones mimic the look of natural stones, but manufacturer's produce these man-made stones from grains and pieces of natural stones such as marble and quartz. The pieces are mixed with resin and bonding agents and subjected to heat and pressure to form the countertop. Engineered stone resists staining better than its more porous natural stone counterpart.
Concrete
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Concrete countertops are more versatile in finish and design than many other countertop materials. Manufacturer's produce concrete countertops to the customer's specifications, often pouring the concrete on the job site. A manufacturer can add custom color combinations to the concrete mix and a wide variety of finishing touches are available such as the addition of marbles or glass fragments to the top of the countertop. Finishing a concrete countertop is labor-intensive, usually spanning several days and regular maintenance with liquid sealer is required to protect the countertop from staining.
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Laminate
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Laminate countertops are synthetic, manufactured from plastics and paper. These countertops are cheaper than stone and concrete countertop varieties. Laminate countertops are available in a variety of standard colors and designs, but they are not customizable like concrete countertops. They are easily installed in a single day.
Tile
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A tile countertop is created on a wooden base. The installer attaches tiles to the base with mortar and fills in the gaps between the tiles with grout. Tiles that are often used for countertops include granite, ceramic and porcelain. The benefits of a tile countertop include low cost, available customizations such as mosaics designs as well as heat and water resistance. The main drawback of a tile countertop is the grout between the tiles can stain and these countertops can be difficult to clean.
Stainless Steel
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A stainless steel countertop gives the kitchen an industrial look with a clean, smooth design. These countertops are heat-resistant, easy to clean and require little maintenance. However, they are susceptible to staining and scratching. If installed improperly, the countertop will creak and groan noisily. Mild soap and water are the only cleaning solutions required to keep a stainless steel countertop looking its best.
Butcher Block
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A butcher block countertop is a wooden countertop manufactured from large pieces of hardwood that are nailed together. After installation, the installer can stain and seal the wood to create the desired appearance, or the wood can remain unfinished. Unfinished wood will absorb water and stain easily. Sealing the countertop helps reduce the likelihood of staining. Butcher block countertops require regular maintenance with oil and should be resealed annually. Although a butcher block countertop can be scratched, you can easily sand and refinish the scratches for a seamless repair.
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References
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