If your kitchen area needs a lift however you’re not up for an all-out renovation, think about a countertop makeover.
Easier than remodeling, new countertops can provide your kitchen area a much-needed modification of face. before committing to a material however, it’s crucial to understand what each uses in terms of durability as well as simplicity of maintenance. For a lot more tips, enjoy our video.
A countertop need to be able to stand up to constant utilize while preserving its great looks; a material’s lifespan is dependent on its capability to support the task at hand. A fundamental checklist of qualities must include the following: durability, simplicity of cleaning, heat, stain as well as water resistance as well as visual appeal. nobody countertop material is able to satisfy all of these requirements, so choice will indicate some compromise.
Here’s an introduction to the most typical countertop materials plus the advantages as well as downsides of each.
In this article:
Laminate
Solid surface
Marble
Granite
Slate
Tile as well as mosaic
Wood or butcher block
Stainless steel
Quartz
Laminate
most prominent of all countertop materials
made of plywood, chipboard or medium-density fibreboard topped by thin plastic laminate
Advantages
solid, long lasting material
wide variety of colours, structures as well as patterns available
cleans quickly with soap as well as water
water resistant
resistant to a lot of stains
inexpensive
Disadvantages
dark backing may be visible at seams
can chip or scratch
cannot be utilized as a chopping surface
non-resistant to heat
Solid surface
made of cast plastics such as polyester, acrylic as well as mineral fillers
Advantages
highly resistant to long-term damage; markings can be sanded away
seams are barely visible
can be moulded into unified counter as well as sink
cleans quickly with soap as well as water
durable
Disadvantages
expensive
lower cabinets may need reinforcement
dark colours will show nicks
looks artificial
Marble
luxurious stone offered in a range of colours as well as patterns
surface fit to baking, candy making as well as rolling out dough
requires a sealant to stop staining
Advantages
water as well as warm resistant
beautiful, natural material supplies a smooth, great surface
hard wearing, durable
cleans easily
Disadvantages
expensive
lower cabinets may need reinforcement
may not be functional for entire kitchen; much better for one work area
stained by lemon juice, sugar, alcohol as well as oil
will dull knife if utilized as a chopping surface
Granite
elegant, polished stone offered in a range of colours
surface fit to baking, candy making as well as rolling out dough
Advantages
water as well as warm resistant
immune to stains, resistant to a lot of alcohol, oil as well as lemon juice
cleans easily
aesthetically pleasing as well as functional
Disadvantages
expensive
lower cabinets may need reinforcement
will dull knife if utilized as a chopping surface
Slate
dense, fine-grained stone offered in black as well as muted shades of green, grey, purple, red as well as blue
Advantages
less costly than marble as well as granite
water as well as warm resistant
surface damage can be removed with sandpaper
easy to clean
Disadvantages
lower cabinets may need reinforcement
Tile as well as mosaic
high-fired, dust-pressed clay offered in a range of colours, styles as well as textures
best to select glazed ceramic with textured surface or matte finish
Advantages
water as well as warm resistant
resists scratching
easily cleaned
will not burn, stain or discolour
Disadvantages
grout between tiles is tough to keep clean
hard on glassware as well as china
lower cabinets may need reinforcement
cannot be utilized as a chopping surface
Wood or butcher block
warm, natural material
hardwoods like maple, teak as well as beech are best
surface must be completed with clear varnish or oil
wood cut across grain uses a lot of evenly
Advantages
excellent chopping surface
easy on glassware as well as china
resistant to moderate heat
easily cleaned
Disadvantages
avoid utilizing near sink, wetness will blacken surface
may contract in dry conditions
can scratch as well as scorch
wet metal kitchen area devices left on surface will leave rust stains
Stainless steel
available in matte, patterned, sandblasted or polished finishes
strong material; proper for areas in get in touch with with water
Advantages
waterproof, warm resistant
durable
easy to clean
extremely hygienic
Disadvantages
noisy as well as cold
fabrication is expensive
will dull knife if utilized as a chopping surface
difficult to preserve radiate as well as keep complimentary of marks
Quartz
also referred to as engineered stone, made from 93% natural quartz as well as 7% resin pigments as well as binders
strong material
Advantages
mold, mildew, heat, fracture as well as scratch resistant
impervious to stains
does not requirement to be sealed
extremely hygienic
available in different looks such as imitation granite as well as stone or in a range of colours
Disadvantages
seams are visible
very heavy — need to be installed by a professional
lower cabinets may need reinforcement