Whether you are building a house or want to upgrade your kitchen, deciding on the appropriate countertops is essential. The ideal countertops go beyond aesthetics, including different materials, varying degrees of care, and durability requirements. In this post, we’ll cover the general features, advantages, and disadvantages of countertop materials that will help you choose which kitchen countertop is most suitable for your home.
Here are a few of the trendiest types of countertops:
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Granite
For a good reason, granite countertops are among the most fashionable: they are gorgeous and add a touch of beauty to any kitchen. If you’re updating your kitchen to sell, granite countertops are one of the current features in real estate. This natural counter material is made from a naturally occurring composite of stone, mica, and feldspar. This means that all granite countertops are different.
Yet another bonus of granite countertops is that they are hard and resistant to scratches. Each of these positive characteristics is reflected in the cost. In comparison to other countertop materials, granite may cost around $140 per square foot, which is pricey.
Granite must be treated with a stone sealant, as with all-natural stone countertops. Besides, it is hard to repair chips in granite, so it’s ideal not to drop anything too heavy on the countertops.
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Quartz
Quartz is now popular because it is highly durable and low-maintenance. Quartz imitates the expression of stone far more powerfully and is also just a material, including minerals and resin. Quartz countertops are available in a variety of patterns and vibrant colors, a few of which look very similar to elements such as granite and marble.
On average, quartz costs $55-$155 per square foot, but a cost-saving suggestion is to purchase quartz tiles rather than slabs. This material’s drawback is that hard, sharp borders are prone to chipping, so choose soft, round edges for your countertops.
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Marble
Like granite, marble countertops are an all-natural stone option that will bring a touch of classic elegance into your kitchen! These gleaming surfaces are too versatile and will fit with just about any décor or design you can dream of. Depending on your taste, there are several variations of marble available.
Marble has a couple of drawbacks that might make it the least suitable material for kitchen countertops. It is a high-maintenance countertop substance that requires sealing because it is very porous.
Marble is a much softer stone than granite, so it can scratch and chip easily. Many people also have dilemmas with etching and staining, as acidic drinks and foods can impact these countertops.
If you believe the standard elegance far outweighs the high maintenance of this type of countertop, it can cost between $50 and $200 per square foot to install them in your kitchen.
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Laminate
Laminate countertops are another business favorite because they are simple and affordable to install. They are comprised of layers of paper or textile, placed over the top of composition timber, and sealed with resin.
In a wide range of patterns and shades, laminate is powerful and modern compared to the former ’80s! Because of new printing technology, it is possible to come across a stylish pattern to accommodate your kitchen.
Laminate is resistant to heat and stains, but you should be cautious since it may leave scratches and marks when cutting on the countertop.
You would usually pay $15-$40 per square foot, and the installation could be done yourself or by an experienced handyman.
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Corian
Corian is a brand-name solid-coating countertop manufactured by DuPont. These countertops are offered in various colors but are built to look like stone, although they are made from a fusion of acrylics and polyesters. You can secure right-surface countertops that look like granite, marble, or quartz without the expense or drawbacks of real stone.
Solid-surface countertops are durable and incredibly hard. Besides, they are easy to wash and nonporous. However, they could scratch easily and aren’t as resistant to heat. As with quartz, it isn’t just a fantastic idea to leave a hot pot on a Corian countertop, and the material can be damaged by heat. Solid-surface countertops, on average, cost between $40 and $125 per square foot if you are searching for beauty on a budget.
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Recycled Glass
The other popular countertop material is recycled glass, which is perfect for contemporary kitchens. While glass shards that are ground make for an even more simplified, toned-down feel, large shards of glass create an even more dynamic look.
Recycled glass is resistant to cuts, stains, and scratches, but some glass brands are exposed to high heat and might crack. Make sure to put heat-resistant hot pots and pan pads on the glass, perhaps not entirely. This material usually costs $50-$125 per square foot.
How could you choose the Best Kitchen Countertops for Your Needs?
Set aside some of the covers on your countertops, and you’ll want to start a kitchen remodeling project. Depending on the countertop materials you pick, this might be a moderate or substantial portion of your budget.
But if you are running a restaurant in a garage or metal building, stainless steel material for the countertop will be best for your commercial purpose.
Knowing the cost and functionality of countertop materials may also assist you in reassessing the amount of counter space your kitchen requires. Remember, the material that you choose will almost certainly be used to create counter space and a kitchen; therefore, there is that cost to factor in, too.
There are dozens of countertop materials; only a few have been tried and proven 100% reliable and worth the money. A customer report analyzed over a dozen trendy countertop materials for their resistance to heat, stains, cuts, scratches, and impact. (TectUs Blog)
