Here is an easy guide to help you find the right options for your kitchen (and your pocketbook!):
Ceramic tile
Ranging from mosaic to custom-made, with a wide variety of finishes, colours and textures. Tile countertops are very popular in country-, cottage-, and mediterranean-style kitchens.
The best thing about it: If ceramic tile is installed correctly (emphasize correctly!), it's heatproof, scratch resistant, water resistant, and long-lasting.
The worst thing about it: Some glazes react to foods or household chemicals. Grout hard to ensure these substances will not seep between tiles. Ceramic's hard surface can easily chip glassware (So try not to throw the good crystal!). In some cases, grout will need to be cleaned regularly, or even replaced.
Plastic Laminate (Formica)
A resin-impregnated paper bonded to a particleboard core. As you might imagine, plastic laminate is relatively inexpensive. It comes in a wide range of colours and textures and bought in ready-made sections called post-formed, making it easy for do-it-yourselfers.
The best thing about it: Plastic laminate is durable, easy to clean, stain-resistant, moisture-resistant, and inexpensive.
The worst thing about it: Laminate can be easily scratched, scorched and chipped. High-gloss laminate shows dirt and water spots (ugh!). And the laminate backing can be seen at the seams.
Stainless steel
For more durable countertops, choose stainless steel that's at least 18 gauge and contains at least 8 to 10% nickel. Keep in mind that matte stainless steel is easier to keep clean.
The best thing about it: Stainless steel is waterproof and heat resistant, easy to clean and durable.
The worst thing about it: Stainless steel can easily be scratched and dented. Stainless steel countertops can't be used for cutting (because it's so easily scratched!) If you have a complicated countertop with holes and cut outs, it will raise the cost considerably. Using flat stainless steel sheeting and adding a natural wood edge will reduce costs.
Wood
Butcher block countertops are made from strips of hardwood that are glued together to make a solid surface.
The best thing about it: Wood is beautiful, natural, relatively easy to install, easy on glassware and china, reasonably priced, and ideal for cutting surface. Scratches can be removed from the surface by sanding.
The worst thing about it: Wood can easily burn, scratch and dent. Wood countertops shouldn't be used near water (Using them near the sink will cause them to warp). Polyurethane or permanent sealer can be used on eating areas, but don't use it on cutting surfaces (use an oil finish for cutting surfaces). This surface tends to harbor bacteria.
Natural Stone
Very good if you're working with dough (or HAVE a lot of dough!). But it can be very (make that very) expensive.
The best thing about it: Stone is strong and durable, heatproof, water resistant, and easy to clean.
The worst thing about it: Stone can be very heavy, so you must have a strong base. Stone needs to be custom installed (Choose an installer with a strong back!). Oil, alcohol, and any acid (lemons or wine) will stain marble or damage its finish. Granite, however, will stand up to all of these.
Solid surface (Surinno)
Surinno Solid Surfacing is an innovative solid composite comprising acrylic modified polyester resin systems, pure inert fillers, fire retardent fillers and proprietary colourants, creating a non-porous, hygienic, stain and chemical resistant, workable, repairable, intrinsically elegant and user-friendly material.
The best thing about it: Solid surface countertops are durable, water resistant, nonporous, easy to clean, bacteria resistant, and mold resistant. Small blemishes or scratches can be sanded out.
The worst thing about it: Solid surface countertops are easily scratched and discoloured by heat. They are also expensive (But not quite as expensive as stone). Like stone, they need firm base of support.
Polished Concrete
Concrete can provide a stone-like warmth, an aged and natural look suitable to a broad range of kitchen and bath designs.
The best thing about it: In general performance and cost, concrete competes with both solid-surface synthetics and stone (granite, marble, and limestone), but is not as limited on colour, thickness or natural patterning.
Stains can be removed by sanding with a 100 grit sand paper and then reapplying sealer and wax.
The worst thing about it: Hairline cracks can occur, however, they do not affect the structural integrity of the concrete. and can be patched. Cracking is considered part of the look of concrete counters.
Granite
Granite is an excellent choice for countertops. It is available in polished and matte finishes. While granite may be more expensive than some other materials, its longevity adds immeasurable value. The beauty of granite will always sell itself.
The best thing about it: Scratch resistant, heat resistant, stain resistant. Granite is durable, and is available in a wide range of colours. Granite worktops will most definitely outlast the rest of the kitchen!
The worst thing about it: When installing granite check that the product does not have to be sealed.
Whichever countertop surface you choose, be sure to take into account your needs, your pocketbook, and the tendency of your family to spill, drop, burn, scratch, stain or dent the surface you choose. Now go out there and decorate!
|
