Countertops 101 – Deciding on Your Kitchen Countertop Materials
For many, their kitchen is the most essential room in their home. And most real estate professionals agree that the best method to boost or raise the home worth of a home is to remodel the kitchen. The four major components of a kitchen remodel usually involve replacing the major appliances, installing brand-new floors, changing or re-facing the kitchen cabinets, as well as installing a brand-new countertop. Let’s concentrate on that final component– replacing your current kitchen countertop material with a new one. Naturally, it involves much more than just running off to the store to select a brand-new countertop for your kitchen. You will first need to take into consideration how much you intend to invest. You likewise need to think about just how much effort and time you’ll need to spend to maintain your brand-new countertop. Lastly, you’ll need to seriously take into consideration the style and look you want in your kitchen. Whatever type of countertop you install, it will be the focal point of the entire room. The very first type of countertop that pops right into the mind of every anxious kitchen renovator is granite. Nevertheless, there are many countertop materials to select from– and granite is only one of them. These days, a kitchen remodeling hopeful can select tile, natural stone, acrylic, concrete, stainless-steel, and laminate, even wood! GRANITE Let’s begin with the most popular: granite. Granite countertops are one of the most prominent but also the most pricey. Why? Besides the lovely surface, granite is very warm as well as scratch resistant. A granite countertop is very long lasting as well as will certainly last a long period of time. A granite countertop will never go out of style as well as granite slab installation will considerably boost the value of your home. The downsides? Aside from the cost, granite is an all-natural stone and it is permeable. A sealant will certainly be needed to avoid staining. One alternative is to use granite tiles instead of a massive slab. The price savings on the tiles is high. It is important to not make use of the granite surface area as a cutting board as it may dull the finish (and destroy a knife or more.). OTHER NATURAL STONES. Besides granite, there are other various natural stone surfaces that can be used on kitchen counters. Quartz, marble, limestone, soapstone, as well as slate surface areas are incredibly popular today. Marble is smooth and trendy, best for food preparations straight on the surface. It’s not as long lasting as granite and calls for a lot more sealing maintenance to safeguard from staining. Slate is really durable as well as has such an unique surface area that it can truly stand out in a kitchen. As slate has actually been used as a roofing material, it does not need as much sealing protection, but some upkeep is still required. Limestone is very porous as well as spills need to be dealt with promptly to avoid staining. It has a natural, weather-beaten look that can deepen as well as darken with time. Natural quartz has a look very similar to slate yet does not discolor or scratch as easily. Engineered quartz has actually been acquiring popularity as well, yet the costs are considerably more (engineered materials are a quartz composite product mixed with epoxy, polymers, and little rocks or pebbles for an unique look and feel.). TILE. Glazed ceramic and porcelain tile has been popular in kitchens for years. It comes in a huge variety of colors, shapes, and designs. The tiles can be a small as a square inch and also as large as 6 square inches. The tiles are durable and also have some of the very same warm as well as scratch resistance qualities as granite. The porcelain tiles are generally more expensive than the ceramic tiles, but the porcelain tiles are a lot more durable and the hardest fired kind of tiles. Drawbacks of tile? It can chip easily, much more pricey than laminate substitutes, as well as the grout can be a concern. When putting the tiles together, there are grout lines in between each of them and grout can discolor very easily. It will require a lot more upkeep to keep it looking great. As a result of the grout issues, the capacity for the tiles to break and chip easily, and the overall expense, it is best to leave the installation work to a specialist. CONCRETE. Concrete is not only for walkways or driveways. A concrete countertop is pigmented and can be buffed into a smooth and glossy surface that can resemble any kind of all-natural stone. The counters can be formed in a manufacturing facility or cast on site. Concrete is somewhat porous as well as needs to be regularly sealed, comparable to granite, to withstand stains. It can be made into any kind of shape as well as have any density. Concrete is likewise warm and scratch resistant. The counters can be made in a range of colors and appearances. Downsides on concrete? The sealer that is needed is not the only security required. The sealer needs to be waxed each to 3 months to avoid stain as well as water damage, so upkeep can be extensive. You can not reduce on the concrete surface without leaving marks. Concrete is likewise extremely expensive. STAINLESS-STEEL. A restaurant would most likely be the first thing one would certainly consider when it involves a stainless-steel kitchen counter. However there is a reason most restaurants utilize this product. Longevity, stain and water resistance, low maintenance, a myriad of size and shape choices are just a few of those factors. It’s likewise very easy to clean and you can place a hotplate or frying pan on the surface without fear of harming it. Downside– numerous do not like the “commercial” appearance of it. It can be rather expensive to have made. Cutting on it can leave marks as well as it can be very easy to dent. It is essential to ensure the surface is at least 18 gauge and has eight to ten percent nickel in it. WOOD. Sometimes called Butcher Block Countertops, a wood counter is generally made from strips of maple or oak that has actually been glued all together. But just about any hardwood can be made into countertops. Bamboo countertops are the most recent fad! Wood counter material has a warmer, beautiful look that can come in a range of tones and textures. It’s excellent for individuals that want to cut directly on the surface of their counter. It can be sanded as well as resealed in the event of any type of deep cuts, scratches or stains. It can be easy to install and the prices are reasonable. Downsides? Wood is not really hard and can easily burn, scratch, or nick. The wood can warp or turn black near sinks from regular water get in touch with. As well as it needs regular sealing. LAMINATE. Formica is one of the most usual name for laminate counters. It’s made of a slim layer of plastic glued to particleboard or wood. Plastic laminate counters are very inexpensive, light-weight, and available in an endless supply of shades as well as patterns. It is extremely stain-resistant as well as, as a plastic component, it is very easy to clean. Due to the fact that it comes pre-formed, it can be easy for a do-it-yourselfer to install. Drawbacks to Formica? While these counters are somewhat durable, they do not last for life. Laminates are not heat or scratch resistant but they are stain resistant. Abrasive cleaners can dull and scratch the surface. Deforming or water spots occur with excessive exposure to dampness. The color or pattern can fade with time. ACRYLLIC/SOLID SURFACE. Solid surface counters are manufactured tops that are custom-made for any kind of application. Popular companies consist of Corian, Avonite, and Swanstone. These surfaces are durable, water resistant, simple to clean, non-porous, and are even resistant to mold and microorganisms. And nicks or scratches can be sanded away. Drawbacks include troubles managing very hot pans on the surface, high cost, as well as the excessive weight calls for a good solid cabinet base (comparable to all-natural stone.) Some do not like the plastic or “fake” look of the material, however the material does have a large range of shades to select from. Replacing the kitchen countertops is just one step in your goal to renovate the kitchen, but it is considered the most significant action by lots of. You can truly make a statement concerning your kitchen and also your residence with the best choice of countertop material. Naturally, when you deal with those worn counters that included the house, it will really make those old closets, flooring, as well as home appliances attract attention! It’s all simply part of the procedure of increasing the value of your home. When you’re ready to start and mount those granite countertops, get in touch with ConstructionDeal.com to find a regional countertop specialist to handle the work.