Kitchen Remodeling: How to Choose a Countertop

Choosing a new countertop can make a huge difference in a kitchen. From granite and quartz to wood and stainless steel, there's a lot of kitchen countertop materials out there. Choosing the right countertop for your kitchen remodeling will call for more attention. Something which you maybe have ever given them before. There are seemingly endless materials, styles, and colors to choose from, ranging from quiet and unassuming to packed with natural character and unpredictable patterns. In fact, there are a huge number of popular kitchen features to decide on and evaluate in general, adding to the complexity of the process.

1.Granite

Pros: Each slab is unique, hard, durable, scratch-resistant, impervious to stains, heat, and water when sealed, relatively easy to clean, comes in all colors, still highly covetable with an even higher resale value. Polished and matte finishes resisted most stains when properly sealed, so pick the look you prefer.

Cons: Periodic resealing is needed to fend off stains. Like quartz, edges and corners can chip and must be professionally repaired.

2. Quartz

Pros: It mimics the look of stone yet needs less maintenance. Hot pots, serrated knives, abrasive pads, and most stains were no match for quartz, which is a combination of mineral, color, and resin. Practically maintenance free, engineered quartz countertops are stain, acid, scratch, heat and impact resistant and, thanks to their non-porous surface, don't need to be sealed like natural stone countertops.

Cons: Edges and corners can chip, and you’ll need a pro to repair them. Rounded edges help.

3. Soapstone, Limestone, and Marble

Pros: Soapstone isn’t as common as granite, and it’s superb at resisting heat damage. Small scratches can be repaired by sanding finely and applying mineral oil. Limestone and marble are classic materials. Limestone also has a natural-stone look without heavy veining or graining, and it resists heat.

Cons: Soapstone nicks, cuts, and scratches easily, and some stains are too tough to be washed away. Limestone and marble also have those drawbacks, and heat damaged our marble.

4. Laminate

Pros: Inexpensive, easy to install, and so much better-looking than you probably remember, thanks to new printing technology and decorative edges. Stains and heat didn’t damage the laminates we tested.

Cons: Cutting directly on it easily and permanently damages laminate, so use a cutting board.

5. Solid Surfacing

Pros: Available in a variety of colors and patterns, it can be used for the counters, sink, and backsplash, creating a seamless look because joints are almost invisible. And like quartz, its color won’t vary much from the store sample. Solid surfacing is resistant to most stains, and small nicks and scratches can be repaired.

Cons: It scratches and cuts easily, so a cutting board is a must.

6. Recycled Glass

Pros: Large shards give it a fun, contemporary look; finely ground glass makes it less busy. Most glass counters we tested resisted stains, cuts, scratches, and heat.

Cons: It’s the only material for which we found a difference among brands.

The right countertop can really enhance your kitchen design, so don’t rush to make a decision. If you’re still having difficulty deciding what countertop is right for you, then contact a professional remodeler near you.

Michael Nash Design Build and Homes
8630A Lee Highway Fairfax, VA 22031

703-994-4372
www.michaelnashkitchens.com