Granite, quartz, recycled materials, Formica, Lexton -- there are so many choices for kitchen countertops not only by material-type, but also within each category. What
should you look for if you are interested in purchasing a new countertop for
your kitchen? Are some materials easier to care for than others? Which are the
most cost effective? These helpful hints should guide you in the right
direction.
Pre-Selection,
Pre-Installation
Before entering a showroom or visiting your local area
granite company, take a few moments to think about these questions before you
invest in a new countertop:
- How do you use
your current kitchen countertop space? Do you do a lot of cooking, setting
down lots of hot pots and pans, cutting up vegetables, etc.? Or, is your
countertop space more of a showpiece, hardly being used for cooking
preparation?
- What is your
budget for a new countertop?
- Is your house of
the style that you will receive a good return-on-investment if you install
a high-end countertop?
- Are you willing
to install the countertop yourself? Or, will you be hiring a professional
installer?
It is also recommended that you talk with a designer or
kitchen expert to avoid potential issues early in the process. There are two
areas where kitchen design goes wrong: 1.) Selection of cabinets and 2.)
Selection of countertops.
Answering these questions, first, will save you time,
effort, and energy in the selection process, since the countertop choices are
extensive.
Countertop Choices
Materials available for your kitchen countertop range in
price from ceramic tile (at about $10.00 per square foot) to natural stone
counter tops that can run anywhere between $35 and $250 per square foot. There
seems to be an endless number of types of counter top materials to select from.
Here are some of the more common options for countertop materials:
Granite Countertops: Currently, granite is the top choice
amongst homeowners for kitchen countertops. There are two types of granite: 1.)
Polished finished granite is very shiny; 2.) The honing finish has a dull,
matte look. In addition to type of finish, granite is priced according to
color, where the stone came from (its’ origin), and availability. Granite that
is readily available is less expensive than the rare elite colors which are
less consistent and have an exclusive unique color pattern to them. Engineered
stone colors are much more consistent than granite, but still costs about the
same.
Ceramic Tile: Ceramic
tiles are one of the least expensive types of materials for countertops. Sizes,
shapes, textures, tile colors, and colors of grout are numerous. Similar to
selecting paint color, deciding on the right tile for your counters can take
time. Installation may take longer than installing other types of kitchen
counters as each tile must be set individually then grout must be applied. You
also need a very high degree of accuracy to ensure that the tiles line up
perfectly.
Concrete: Concrete countertops come in three different types
of finishes: 1.) The trowel finish is smooth; 2.) A ground finish has the
counter top sanded so that the sand aggregate shows; and 3.) The pressed finish
is used to bring out the marble-like veins that are found in the concrete.
Although in-trend at the moment, concrete can warp and curl if exposed to a
wide variation in temperatures; acidic liquids can etch the surface, and damp
items (like sponges) can discolor the concrete. Concrete countertops are high
maintenance requiring sealing four times a year and waxing every two to three
months.
Environmentally Friendly Options (such as recycled glass countertops): If you are environmentally conscious, there
are several options to choose from for your countertop. Corian, bamboo, and
paper-based composites are all considered “green” materials. Each type of
material is available in various colors and textures.
Manufactured Quartz: This product is extremely low
maintenance while being durable and cleanable. It is quite stain resistant and
resistant to scratches. Manufactured quartz is an excellent choice if you are
seeking to have a lighter colored counter.
Natural Stones: Natural stones such as limestone, marble, and soapstone are much softer
than hard granite. As such, it gives your kitchen a warmer look and feel.
However, natural stone countertops must be taken care of, requiring sealing on
a occasional basis.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is also very easy to clean and very hygienic as there
are no crevices for bacteria to grow in. If you are looking for a very modern
feel in your kitchen, then stainless steel will provide you with a modern,
industrial look.
Wood: Wood countertops
are very popular as the materials give a ‘warmth’ to any kitchen, in comparison
to hard surfaces like granite. Although water can damage a wood surface and
wood needs to be oiled frequently, wood is easy to clean and if scratches
occur, you just sand them out.
Do-It-Yourself Install:
Here are a few items to consider if you decide to install the kitchen
countertop yourself:
- According to experts, the
easiest type of kitchen countertop to install by your self is pre-made
laminate. At a cost of about $30.00 per running foot, pre-made laminate is
about one-half the cost, per foot, of custom counters.
- Consider customizing the
height of your counters. Higher counter heights (44 to 46 inches) are
easier when you are preparing food than lower heights (34 to 38 inches).
Many homeowners will have both counter heights in their kitchen.
- Traditional color choices
are white, green, and black. If you really want to use a trendy
complementary color, use it on the kitchen island, as it will stand out
away from the main counter space.
- You will need other
materials, such as cabinets, siliconized latex caulk, various types of
screws, as well as several tools (e.g., clamps, drill and drill bit set,
caulking gun, screwdrivers, dust mask, straight edge, safety glasses,
etc.) to do a proper installation.
And, finally, remember that the counter surface needs to be
absolutely leveled (regardless of the countertop surface material chosen!), do
not order the wrong size of counter material, and seal the seams of your
counter.
