Your kitchen is probably the most used room in your house, so the kitchen cabinets and the countertops must be able to hold up under the wear and tear your family will put it through. Learn all you possibly can about your choices before you make any decisions. Don’t just listen to the hundreds of opinions you are bound to hear, do your research and make an educated decision on the counters you will use for many years to come. Consider the likelihood that you will change the color in your kitchen every few years simply due to normal use and the need to refresh your kitchen. You may want to stick with a color on the counters that will be flexible enough to go with any tones you may plan to use on your walls in the future.
As you explore kitchen countertop ideas you may want to keep the most popular types in mind; after all, they are the most popular ones for good reason. Many homeowners have chosen these tops after doing their research so you can learn from them. These are not in the order of popularity and this is simply for informational purposes. Let’s take a look at and granite, engineered stone, solid surface, and ceramic tiles.
Granite tops can be expensive, but they are truly elegant and will absolutely add to the beauty of any kitchen. With over 3000 different colors and shades available, you are sure to find one that will fit the décor and color scheme that you have in mind. Granite does a great job at holding up to heat, it rates 2nd in hardness to the diamond and it is a great way to add value to the resale of a house. However, it can crack from stress if it is improperly installed so proper installation by a professional is a must.
Engineered stone is made up of 93% quartz particles creating a nonporous surface. It offers an even greater range of colors than granite and is resistant to stains and scratches, but all these attributes will cost you. It will also require an annual sealant to maintain its beauty. The stone is easy care and will add value to any home which helps with resale.
As the name suggests, solid surface countertops are solid surfaces that can be sanded down to remove any scratches. These stone tops are custom cut to your specific measurements by professionals. The downside to these are that they are not particularly resistant to high heat or to stains so more care and caution must be used by you. These are also available in a rainbow of colors, but they can be relatively expensive.
Durable, easy to clean and not very expensive, ceramic tops are very durable and very easy to clean. These tops are installed a section at a time so there will be some seams but if it is installed correctly, these can be almost invisible. Ceramic tops can handle hot pans without leaving burn marks and it is available in a wide range of colors, textures and designs. On the downside this kind of top can provide an uneven surface and the tiles can chip or crack over time. Since these tiles are grouted in, the grout can become stained over time and grout can be difficult to clean.
Making a list of the advantages and disadvantages along with the cost of each type, will help you to decide which type of countertops will best work for you.
