It can be challenging – even confusing – to find the proper material for your countertops which are the hardest-working surfaces in your kitchen. Also, there are considerations you need to address before picking a countertop based on appears alone. A countertop really should be sturdy, scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, water-resistant, stain-resistant, quick to clean, as well as attractive. This brief guide reviews five material categories chosen for their ideal mixture of practicality and beauty. There are quite a few material possibilities – natural, manufactured or engineered – to go on counters which can be installed as a strong surface or applied to a backing like a veneer.
Your material of decision can influence the type of sink you want, irrespective of whether it is integrated, drop-in or under-mount, An integrated sink will only work with stainless steel or solid-surface supplies, like Corian. A drop-in sink is the most versatile and can be made use of with any form of countertop material, and an beneath-mount sink also operates with any material except for wood.
Also think about textures and edges as your material option will impact these as properly. You will want to investigate all the edge styles for your decision and check the sharpness and thickness of the profile.
A mixture of two supplies can be a solution when you are thinking of tasks that will be performed on that countertop. Even though you may perhaps decide on granite or ceramic for the majority of countertops, you could want a section of wood for chopping, cutting and slicing, or marble for rolling out pastry and candy generating. The mixture of two components can be worked into the design and style and deliver the best option, exactly where 1 form of material is for a operate location, and a further for clean-up or eating. In truth, countertops affect the look and feel of the entire kitchen and can make a dramatic design and style statement.
1. Stone: Granite, Marble and Limestone
Granite, marble and limestone may perhaps be the most high priced selection but they are the best selection for beauty and practicality. They will last forever with appropriate care. Granite is the top decision inside this category. The stone can be installed as a strong surface but a extra affordable installation can be produced as granite or limestone tiles with tight grout lines.
Granite exudes elegance in a kitchen and as the use of it becomes extra widespread, prices have come down. Stone upgrades even the most modest kitchen. It holds up to heat and comes in a range of colors. It is substantial and will final a lifetime. It can have a mat finish as “honed” or a shiny polished finish. New sealers are practically upkeep-free of charge but granite can call for some periodic sealing and some stones, particularly marble, can absorb stains despite becoming properly sealed. Granite has the second highest hardness rating right after diamonds but any stone can crack if it is stressed in transport or installed improperly. Stone presents a high value to dwelling buyers and, especially, granite kitchen countertops are sophisticated and timeless.
2. Quartz- and Acrylic-Primarily based: Engineered Stone and “Strong Surface”
Countertops created of engineered stone are composed of 93% quartz particles. Engineered stone presents a wider range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. Engineered stone is not as common as granite and is typically confused for granite but the normal consistency of the patterning gives it away as becoming man-produced. In truth, engineered stone has all the positive aspects of granite but is less complicated to maintain, with out the annual sealing essential by natural stone. It is a lot more costly than granite or stone. Engineered stone brands involve 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 “Strong Surface” counters. While they also offer you a wide assortment of colors, patterns and finishes, they never have the natural appear of stone. They do resist stains, moisture, sunlight and heat, and inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. Nonetheless, they are vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can harm the surface. Solid Surface countertops are custom-created and their acrylic material can be formed to incorporate an integrated sink with seamless installation. Brands of Solid Surface countertops consist of Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.
Ikea Karlby Desk Setup ” for this acrylic-based material category is confusing, These countertops are so-named because they are just what they are known as, “strong.” Having said that, they are solid and custom-made, manufactured, seamless countertops as are the quartz-based engineered stone countertops. In addition, the term is doubly confusing considering the fact that stone countertops (granite, marble, limestone) and wood (butcherblock) are also seamless, “strong” countertops, as opposed to veneer-like countertops as laminate or tile.