It could be challenging - even confusing - to find the right material for your countertops which are the hardest-working surfaces in your kitchen. Also, you can find considerations you should address before choosing a countertop predicated on looks alone. A countertop ought to be durable, scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, water-resistant, stain-resistant, an easy task to clean, and attractive. This brief guide reviews five material categories selected for his or her perfect mix of practicality and beauty. There are many material options - natural, manufactured or engineered - to be on counters that may be installed as a solid surface or put on a backing like a veneer.
Your material of preference can impact the kind of sink you want, whether it is integrated, drop-in or under-mount, An integrated sink will only use stainless steel 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 except for wood.
Also consider textures and edges as your material choice will impact these aswell. You will need to investigate all of the edge styles for your choice and check the sharpness and thickness of the profile.
A combination of two materials could be a solution while you are considering tasks that'll be performed on that countertop. When you may choose granite or ceramic in most of countertops, you may want a section of wood for chopping, cutting and slicing, or marble for rolling out pastry and candy making. The mix of two materials could be worked in to the design and provide the best solution, where one type of material is for a work area, and another for clean-up or eating. In fact, countertops affect the look and feel of the complete kitchen and can create a dramatic design statement.
1. Stone: Granite, Marble and Limestone
Granite, marble and limestone could be the most expensive choice but they will be the top choice for beauty and practicality. They'll last forever with proper care. Granite is the leading choice in this category. The stone could be installed as a solid surface but a more reasonable installation could be made as granite or limestone tiles with tight grout lines.
Granite exudes elegance in a kitchen so when the use of it becomes more widespread, prices have come down. Stone upgrades even probably the most modest kitchen. It holds up to heat and will come in a range of colors. It is substantial and can last a lifetime. It could have a mat finish as "honed" or 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. Granite gets the second highest hardness rating after diamonds but any stone can crack if it's stressed in transport or installed improperly. Stone supplies 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 made of engineered stone are composed of 93% quartz particles. Engineered stone offers a wider range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. Engineered stone is not as popular as granite and is often confused for granite however the regular consistency of the patterning gives it away to be man-made. Actually, engineered stone has all the great things about granite but is simpler to maintain, minus the annual sealing required by natural stone. It really 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 that are called "Solid Surface" counters. While they also offer a wide assortment of colors, patterns and finishes, they don't really have the natural look of stone. They do resist stains, moisture, sunlight and heat, and inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. However, they are susceptible to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface. Solid Surface countertops are custom-made and their acrylic material could be formed to include an integrated sink with seamless installation. Brands of Solid Surface countertops include Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.
The word "Solid Surface" because of this acrylic-based material category is confusing, These countertops are so-named because they're just what they're called, "solid." However, they are solid and custom-made, manufactured, seamless countertops as are the quartz-based engineered stone countertops. Furthermore, the term 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 often installed one section at a time and most people can easily use the materials. Ceramic finishes are excellent since they take hot pans, are an easy task to clean and can be found in a number of different textures. The only real downsides are that the grout in between the tiles could be difficult to completely clean, tiles can chip and crack, and the top can end up uneven. In addition to ceramic tile, tiles also come in aluminum and copper for some 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 provide your kitchen the look of a significant chef at work, or a contemporary industrial design, then stainless steel countertops is wonderful for you. This material is extremely heat-resistant and durable, in fact it is easy to construct the countertops precisely to your specifications as a seamless surface. While
Quartz Kitchen Worktops Congleton to clean, on the problem, they can dent plus they can be extremely expensive.
5. Concrete
Contemporary and industrial, concrete countertops offer another option that blends function and chic modern design. These can be constructed and cast right in your kitchen and they can be color-tinted. New treatments reduce the porous character and eliminate cracking. Concrete is heat and scratch resistant, and the appearance is exotic and unusual, a nice variant on the present day design theme.
In sum, these are kitchen countertop options for every style and every budget. The five material choices for your brand-new or remodeled kitchen will give character and beauty to your hardest-working kitchen surface. Your choice will define your kitchen because the countertop is the focus of every kitchen. These choices have a successful record of durability as well as beauty. While you can find other choices, like laminates which scratch, lift up at their edges and appearance cheap, or butcher block wood surfaces and this can be porous, scratched and require much maintenance, only these five categorical choices will boost your home value while they survive scratches, food and water spills to keep up a clean, stylish, decorative appearance.