Kitchen Counter Top Choices

Kitchen countertops have a major impact on the value and look of our kitchen.  The choices available can be overwhelming.  The selection you choose would depend on the cost, upkeep, weight, durability, and aesthetic value.   Kitchen countertops come in many form ranging natural stone, solid surface and laminate.

Natural stones include granite, quartz and marble.  They are considered durable, and are the most expensive kitchen counter tops on the market.  If your budget is tight, and you want the look of granite stone, granite tiles is a cheaper alternative. They are made to resist heat, stains, and scratches.  Even though they are hard surface, preventative measures should be taken by using hot pads and wiping spills as soon as they occur.   Sealing is important to maintain the quality of your countertops, without maintenance the surface will be porous and subject to stains. A major benefit of specialty stone, they can be cleaned with water, or you can specialty stone cleaner can be used. It has thick layers which make it hard to repair.

Laminate kitchen countertops are made of plastic surfaces that are applied to particle board of plywood. It is subject to scorching and scratching and has low threshold stain resistance. To clean this product, you can use soap and water.  Laminate are inexpensive in comparison to other cabinets and are commonly used by builders.

 Solid-surface kitchen countertops are countertops such as DuPont Corian which resembles stone in appearance and are made of synthetic material. This type of countertops is repairable if scratched by using a household scrubbing pad.  Cleaning is simple, and requires simple soap and water.   

Concrete kitchen countertops are also an alternative for a contemporary look, and are very popular. This type of countertops is expensive to install. It requires a high level of maintenance because it has a tendency to absorb liquid resulting in concrete damage.  It is usually sealed to decrease damage, but it is not always effective.

Ceramic tile kitchen countertops are a timeless choice, and are available in various colors so it easy to compliment your household decor. It can tolerate water and stain without any damage to your surface.  It is a low cost product, and it is quite popular. If you are handy, it is possible to install tile and save the cost of labor

Kitchen countertops give the wow factor to your kitchen, and it is essential to invest time to find the right countertops for your kitchen.