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What you need to know before choosing a kitchen countertop
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While granite still remains the popular standby for kitchen countertops, there are other materials worth a look. As always, price will be a factor, but don't forget to think about your lifestyle.
Overall, the first thing you look at is the look you want, says John Chadwick of Interiors by John Chadwick located in New York City. Do you want a country rustic or slick, modern kitchen? Then after you've decided, look at the way you live and the way you cook. Cher Schuck of Superior, Colo.-based CS Design Inc., whole-heartedly agrees. The best material is the one the client loves and has the properties and aesthetics correct for the style of a space, Schuck says. No matter your choice in material, designers advise treating your countertop with care and attention. It's like a fine furniture piece in your kitchen, Schuck says. You have to care for them so they look and last as beautiful as they were when they were first installed.
Granite
Granite is a luxurious material, and although this elegance comes with a price, it's still proven popular. Of course, we're still doing tons and tons of granite, Chadwick says. It'll durable and has a lot of variety, a lot of different colors.
Make sure your granite countertop is sealed every six months to a year, depending on how much you cook. If it's sealed, you don't get the stains. It's like any natural product, like a wood floor, you have to keep it nice and take care of it, Chadwick says.
Pros: Holds up well to heat, comes in a large range of colors, very durable, long lasting if kept well, repairable.
Cons: Expensive, requires some maintenance, absorbs stains if not sealed, dulls knives if cut on, cracks if not properly installed.
Solid Surface
Solid surfaces like Avonite or Corian, provide a good alternative to granite if your budget is a little tighter. This material can be custom-made by color and shape, but like any customization the price will run a bit higher. Also scratches can be easily sanded out in this material. It's less maintenance than granite, but it's good to seal it, Schuck says. If you do it yourself, make sure you do it in a well ventilated area and the product you use doesn't hold any allergies for you and your family.
Schuck cautions all people to be aware of thermal shock, when the temperature of the surface and the temperature of a hot pan or pot cause the material to fissure or crack.
Pros: Cheaper, lots of colors, easily custom-made to desired counter shape and design, repairable.
Cons: Less sheen, vulnerable to heat and stains.
Tile
Tile is an inexpensive, low-maintenance, versatile and durable choice for a kitchen countertop. It's a creative material, Schuck says. There are a lot of creative ways to cut and set the tile.
Porcelain tiles can be bull-nosed or punch-cut for inlays, since it's a solid body product.
Grout joints can be a maintenance issue, especially when using standard grout, Schuck says. Epoxy grout can be a little more forgiving, although more expensive and difficult to install.
Pros: Takes well to heat, easy to clean, lots of options with color and design, generally inexpensive.
Cons: Tile grout lines can be easily stained.
Source:http://www.mailtribune.com
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