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Kitchen Countertops: Five Categorical Choices for Beauty and Durability
It can be challenging - even confusing - to get the right material for the countertops which will be the hardest-working surfaces in your kitchen. Also, there are considerations you need to address before choosing a countertop predicated on looks alone. A countertop ought to be durable, scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, water-resistant, stain-resistant, easy to clean, in addition to attractive. This brief guide reviews five material categories selected for their perfect combination of practicality and beauty. There are many material options - natural, manufactured or engineered - to be on counters which may be installed as a solid surface or applied to a backing such as a veneer.

Your material of choice can impact the sort of sink you want, whether it's integrated, drop-in or under-mount, An integrated sink will only work with stainless or solid-surface materials, like Corian. A drop-in sink is the most versatile and will be used with any kind of countertop material, and an under-mount sink also works with any material aside from wood.

Also consider textures and edges as your material choice will impact these aswell. You should investigate all the edge styles for your choice and check the sharpness and thickness of the profile.

A combination of two materials could be a solution if you are considering tasks which will be performed on that countertop. While you may choose granite or ceramic for the majority of countertops, you may want a portion of wood for chopping, cutting and slicing, or marble for rolling out pastry and candy making. The mix of two materials can be worked into the design and provide the very best solution, where one type of material is for a workshop, and another for clean-up or eating. In fact, countertops affect the appearance and feel of the whole kitchen and can make a dramatic design statement.


1. Stone: Granite, Marble and Limestone

Granite, marble and limestone may be the most expensive choice however they will be the top choice for beauty and practicality. They'll last forever with proper care. Granite may be the leading choice within this category. The stone can be installed as a solid surface but a more reasonable installation can be made as granite or limestone tiles with tight grout lines.

Granite exudes elegance in a kitchen so when the usage of it becomes more widespread, prices attended down. Stone upgrades even probably the most modest kitchen. It holds up to heat and comes in a range of colors. It is substantial and can last a lifetime. It can have a mat finish as "honed" or perhaps a shiny polished finish. New sealers are almost maintenance-free but granite can require some periodic sealing and some stones, particularly marble, can absorb stains despite being properly sealed. Click to find out more gets the second highest hardness rating after diamonds but any stone can crack if it is stressed in transport or installed improperly. Stone offers a high value to home buyers and, particularly, granite kitchen countertops are elegant and timeless.

2. Quartz- and Acrylic-Based: Engineered Stone and "Solid Surface"

Countertops manufactured from engineered stone are composed of 93% quartz particles. Engineered stone supplies a wider range of colors than granite and contains a nonporous surface that resists scratches. Engineered stone isn't as popular as granite and is often confused for granite however the regular consistency of the patterning gives it away as being man-made. Actually, engineered stone has all the great things about granite but is easier to maintain, minus the annual sealing required by natural stone. It is more expensive than granite or stone. Engineered stone brands include Silestone, DuPont Zodiaq, LG Viatera and Cambria Quartz.

Similar to the quartz-based engineered stone countertops are the seamless, manufactured acrylic-based ones which are called "Solid Surface" counters. While they also offer a wide assortment of colors, patterns and finishes, they don't have the natural look of stone. They do resist stains, moisture, sunlight and heat, and inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. However, they're susceptible to hot pans and stains that may damage the top. Solid Surface countertops are custom-made and their acrylic material can be formed to include an integrated sink with seamless installation. Brands of Solid Surface countertops include Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.

The term "Solid Surface" for this acrylic-based material category is confusing, These countertops are so-named because they are precisely what they're called, "solid." However, they are solid and custom-made, manufactured, seamless countertops as will be the quartz-based engineered stone countertops. In addition, the word is doubly confusing since stone countertops (granite, marble, limestone) and wood (butcherblock) are also seamless, "solid" countertops, instead of veneer-like countertops as laminate or tile.

3. Tile: Ceramic, Aluminum and Copper

While ceramic tile seems old-fashioned as a countertop material, it has many pluses. It really is durable, inexpensive and an easy task to clean. Ceramic tile counters are usually installed one section at the same time and most people can simply use the materials. Ceramic finishes are excellent because they take hot pans, are an easy task to clean and can be purchased in a number of different textures. The only downsides are that the grout among the tiles could be difficult to completely clean, tiles can chip and crack, and the surface can find yourself uneven. As well as ceramic tile, tiles also come in aluminum and copper for a few fun new looks, whether in brushed or smooth textures. Also, tiles could be set in various sizes and patterns, as squares, subway block and angled as diamonds. Back splashes can have unique designs and capping tiles.

4. Stainless Steel

To give your kitchen the appearance of a serious chef at work, or a contemporary industrial design, then stainless steel countertops is wonderful for you. This material is extremely heat-resistant and durable, and it is an easy task to construct the countertops precisely to your specifications as a seamless surface. While they are easy to clean, on the down side, they can dent and they can be very expensive.

5. Concrete

Contemporary and industrial, concrete countertops offer another option that blends function and chic modern design. These could be constructed and cast right in your kitchen plus they could be color-tinted. New treatments decrease the porous character and eliminate cracking. Concrete is heat and scratch resistant, and the look is exotic and unusual, a good variant on the present day design theme.

In sum, they are kitchen countertop options for every style and every budget. The five material choices for your brand-new or remodeled kitchen gives character and beauty to your hardest-working kitchen surface. Your decision will define your kitchen as the countertop is the focus of every kitchen. These choices have a successful record of durability together with beauty. While there are other choices, like laminates which scratch, lift up at their edges and look cheap, or butcher block wood surfaces which can be porous, scratched and require much maintenance, only these five categorical choices will increase your home value while they survive scratches, food and water spills to keep a clean, stylish, decorative appearance.

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