Picking the Right Countertops
Picking the right countertops for your kitchen is exciting but it can also be a bit overwhelming. There are tons of different materials and each comes in a variety of colors, thickness, costs and benefits. It can be incredibly hard to choose. You need to balance quality and cost while at the same time picking something that you like and looks good in your kitchen. If you have never remodeled a kitchen before then you may not even know what characteristics to look for. Ideally you want the right combination of price, style, heat resistance, durability and maintenance. Let’s look at some of the best options out there than meet these criteria.
Granite
Granite is hands down the most popular choice in countertops and it has been for more than a decade. There are good reasons for that, it is extremely durable and easy to maintain. Every slab of granite is unique so your kitchen will never be a replica of somebody else’s. If you head to a local kitchen store you can look for the actual slab of granite that can go into your kitchen. Granite slabs are typically between 9 – 10 feet long and 5 – 6 feet wide. If you have a bigger kitchen than that you may have to install your granite in different pieces.
Quartz
Quartz is a pretty close second to granite in terms of popularity. It has the same level of durability and it is another natural stone but it’s a little less work to maintain than granite. Unlike granite quartz isn’t a solid slab it is made from quarried stone mixed together and sealed with resin. The counter top will have seams although they are hardly noticeable. Unlike granite quartz isn’t as resistant to heat so be careful with pots fresh off the stove. Another advantage of quartz is the price, it is far more affordable than granite and looks just as good.
Wood
Wood counters have been around as long as there have been kitchens. They work well in homes with a specific décor, think French country or with Southwestern design. There are plenty of different woods to choose from including white oak, cedar and mahogany. It has a beautiful rustic style and if you want to be environmentally friendly you can opt for reclaimed wood. However wood countertops are not one long butcher block, you will still want to use a cutting board or you can damage the counters.
Laminate
Laminate is often used in smaller homes and rental properties. It is ideal for someone that has a smaller budget to work with. Laminate has come a long way since it first came on the market. Nowadays you can get laminate that looks just like marble or granite at a fraction of the price. It is also more durable that it used to be but it still isn’t as strong as a one of the stone countertops. It is fairly easy to clean and maintain but don’t leave it wet or put hot pots from the stove on top or you will be left with damage.
These are the most common countertops but there are still a ton of other options out there. Take your time and shop around and see what style suits your home and taste.
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