The countertops in your newly designed kitchen are one of the focal points of the area. Not only will their appearance make a big impression, but they are the most regularly used feature in the kitchen. Several factors should come into play when choosing a material for your kitchen counters: appearance, durability, ease of cleaning and longevity. Will this make your decision an easy one? Maybe not - considering all of the great materials available for counters.
Metal Counters
One of the less commonly seen counters for home use is metal. There are two types of metal used for countertops: stainless steel and copper. The colors of the two are very different. Stainless steel adds a very contemporary and high tech look to the area. The metal is hard and durable and resists scratches and dents with normal usage levels.
Copper has a very unique look to it. There are two different types of finishes for copper in general: shiny and patina. The counters may start out as a bright and shiny polished look. Over time it will develop a gorgeous and warm brownish look as the natural patina of the metal occurs. Copper is softer than stainless and may become scratched more easily. Scratches can be buffed out. This will polish out the darker patina of the metal but over a relatively short period of time (weeks) the color will come back. Copper has natural antibacterial properties making it an ideal countertop material.
Ceramic Tile Counters
Ceramic is another material used often for countertops. Ceramic tiles are durable surfaces and are easily installed over just about any shape of surface. The tiles can be cut to shape for tight corners. A huge variety of colors and patterns are available. One drawback is the porosity of the grout. Bacteria can grow where there is a place for it unfortunately. The grout should be sealed and resealed over time to keep the surface hygienic. Alternatively a less porous specialty grout can be used. Dirt can accumulate along the grout as well making tile a more challenging surface to clean than some other counters.
Natural Stone
Stone has gained popularity lately as a material for counters. Granite especially has become very sought after. Many natural stones need to be sealed because they are porous and may stain. Stone is quite expensive relative to other materials. Installation must be done by professionals. The look of natural stone can’t be duplicated in manmade materials which is probably why despite the maintenance necessary to keep them looking good, they are still a popular choice in high end kitchens. Other types of stone used for kitchen counters are marble, quartz, slate and travertine.
Composite Material
A new way to use stone is in composites. Composites combine the advantage of the hardness and durability of stone with the ease of maintenance of man made materials. Granite composite can be slightly harder than quartz composites. Quartz composite counters have more choice of color than granite. Composites don’t require sealing and are quite easy to clean.
Last but not least are the man made counters. One definite advantage of man-made over natural is the number of choices in color and pattern. The sky is the limit in choosing something to match your kitchen area.
Solid Surface
Solid surface counters are made out of solid slabs of the man made material. Some examples are Corian and Zodiac. The color and pattern goes all the way through the counter which means that scratches won’t be as noticeable. In fact the surface can be refinished if many scratches are present. A professional can buff down and polish the surface to regain a smooth surface. The surface is heat resistant, but can be damaged by excessive heat.
Veneer Counters
Veneer counters remain very popular. The biggest advantage of these types is the cost. The lowest priced of the counters, veneers (also known as Formica or melamine) are versatile, easy to install and easy to maintain. They are softer than other materials and are susceptible to scratches. Don’t try to use the surface as a cutting board because you will end up with deep scratches. The color doesn’t run all the way through the material which makes scratches more noticeable.
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages of each type of counter. There are many factors to consider when buying a countertop material. Look at the colors and styles available in each type before making a decision.