Kitchen Countertop Options

Tuesday, July 31, 20120 Comments

By Paulina Kertz


When you decide to update the look of your kitchen, choosing the proper countertop is one of the most important decisions you will make. You want to select something functional and durable, yet attractive. There are many choices, including the following options.

These days, granite is all the rage, and there is good reason for this fact. Granite is one of the hardest materials on earth and extremely resistance to heat, so you can put a hot pan on top of the counter without worrying about damaging the material. If granite is properly installed and sealed, it can last a lifetime, which is good because it also is quite expensive. You also cannot cut on granite, as knives can scratch the surface. But it does come in thousands of colors, so there is usually a style to match any type of kitchen design.

Another option is ceramic tile countertops. These can crack easily and also have grout, which is hard to clean and not stain retardant. However, tile is inexpensive, fairly easy to install and comes in a huge diversity of colors. You can even have your kitchen designer create custom tile designs to add extra interest to your kitchen.

Butcher block is another choice and looks beautiful, especially for an island countertop. The surface is smooth and easy to clean, and as it wears down, you can sand it down and reseal it to give it a fresh look. Water and other liquids can stain the surface, and the wood will need to be oiled and sealed from time to time.

While many people love the look of stainless steel appliances, you can also have that look on your countertops. Steel countertops are quite easy to wipe down and clean and also are highly resistant to heat. They are very expensive and can be scratched easily by knives and may become dented. However, it can be a good choice if you want a really modern look for your kitchen.

If cost is a big issue, you can consider opting for some type of laminate countertop. These are available in a wide variety of colors and are also very inexpensive to install. They are also easy to clean and are fairly durable. If they become scratched, however, it is pretty much impossible to repair the damage, and they lack the upscale look of the aforementioned materials.




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