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The kitchen is one of the central parts of the home based on the amount of time spent there. Your kitchen countertop is one of the most prominent features that you will notice, and it holds great potential to enhance the beauty of the room.
Quartz countertops are made from stone and typically contain up to 93% natural quartz paired with acrylic resin and pigments. Manufacturers grind this natural material into powder before mixing it with other natural and synthetic materials like pigments and resins.
These added substances bind quartz together and make it harder and more durable, while the added pigments lend this type of countertop a deep-seated color. In many cases, metallic flecks and recycled glass is incorporated into the quartz to add some edge to their design.
Quartz countertops are available in a variety of designs and offer a sleek, elegant, and modern appearance to a kitchen. They can be customized to accompany a wide selection of pairings and backgrounds such as backsplash, kitchen cabinets, and flooring.
The material is highly sought after for its durability and a wide array of patterns and colors. Quartz countertops do not scratch or get chipped easily, and can therefore offer a lasting appearance. However, quartz surfaces can crack when exposed to direct heat for prolonged periods.
Engineered quartz kitchen countertops are non-porous, and thus do not have microscopic pores that allow liquids to seep beneath the surface and cause irreversible damage, staining, and discoloration over time. This is an important attribute since kitchen countertops are always wet and require regular disinfection that would be encumbered by pores that trap germs, bacteria, and dirt.
These countertops are made from natural high-grade stone material quarried from different places around the world. They are incredibly popular in both traditional and modern kitchen finishing and often tie up the décor of the space. Granite kitchen countertops are revered for being scratch-resistant and heat and stain-resistant while being durable enough to retain their aesthetic appearance for long periods.
It is worth noting that granite is a porous material, and liquids left on the surface over long periods are eventually absorbed into the surface. But much like they are absorbed, these liquids are likely to evaporate. Additionally, you can add poultices to increase the rate of this evaporation.
Alternatively, you can consider applying a sealing layer to granite countertops before installation. This will be invaluable to curbing the porous trait of granite countertops, a decidedly safer bet than looking back in hindsight. Sealing technology has come a long way and typically lasts over a decade before necessitating further work.
Granite countertops are incredibly detailed, and the rare cracks or chips on the surface should be repaired by a professional fabricator. Color-matched epoxy is frequently used to fill in problem areas and make them virtually invisible. However, the likelihood of needing repairs or resurfacing granite countertops is low.
Granite countertops can be complemented by installing under-mounted sinks onto which crumbs, spills, and cleaning residue can be wiped without dropping to the ground. These sinks are available in different configurations such as cast iron, stainless steel, and solid surface. You can enlist experienced fabricators who can customize this setting to your liking.
Known for elegant finishes and striking designs, marble countertops are a popular choice in kitchens across the globe. They are known for gleaming polished surfaces and can be paired with shiny metal like brass or chrome accenting. Marble is also naturally soft, making it easy to shape and cut into custom configurations and a great variety of edge profiles.
Despite its premium and stunning appearance, marble can cost less compared to other natural stone countertop alternatives.
Marble naturally stays cool, making it an ideal surface for processes like rolling dough, forming pastries and ice cream. If you are going to be doing a lot of baking and creating sweet treats, marble countertops are a good choice for you.
Remember that marble is a porous and high-maintenance surface that is vulnerable to staining agents that seep into it. On the other hand, prolonged exposure to acid affects the sealant and polish on marble countertops, making it more vulnerable to scratches.
While it requires some maintenance, marble is a durable stone that has been used as a building material for centuries. This is because marble combines strength and beauty, and is perfectly capable of withstanding traffic on your countertop.
Laminate countertops are a popular choice for the kitchen, due to their DIY-friendly installation procedures, durability, and lower cost These countertops are revered for being available in vast amounts of color and design options, making it easy to find something strikingly beautiful with a modern aesthetic.
These countertops can easily resemble granite, marble or any other desirable appearance whether classic or contemporary. Laminate countertops are typically budget-friendly since they retail for nearly $30 less per square foot compared to solid surface material like Corian..
This type of countertop has the benefit of offering a high-end look of more luxurious and expensive materials without compromising elegance. Laminate countertops are also particularly famed for being easy to install, and are generally DIY-friendly.
Laminate countertops require virtually effortless maintenance because they are easy to clean and do not require special procedures and upkeep. They are non-porous and therefore do not require an additional sealing layer before installation.
Experts recommend bearing in mind that extreme heat in concentrated spots and sharp objects can damage laminate countertops. Therefore, consider the use of hot plates and cutting boards to improve the longevity of any laminate surfaces in your kitchen.
However, modern high-pressure laminates have cellulose layers within them that solidify when exposed to heat and pressure, making it considerably more resistant to heat and scratching. You can browse a vast array of configurations to ensure you end up with a durable and aesthetically pleasing finish for your countertop.
While highly polished stone carries some appeal, recent trends in countertops are gravitating towards cheaper options like reinforced concrete countertops. The concrete must be reinforced to mitigate structural cracking and bolster tensile strength and ductility. Some of the reinforcing materials include steel rebar, wire mesh, synthetic fibers and carbon-fiber grids.
These countertops are popular because they offer a customizable and handcrafted surface for kitchen setups. This is because they can be shaped to match the exact dimensions of a kitchen as desired. Concrete countertops offer a mix of beauty and functionality, and are easy to clean and maintain in the long-term.
The reinforcement of concrete allows you to create long and seamless spans with overhangs that cannot be achieved with other materials like granite. Reinforcing concrete countertops with glass fiber makes them far less likely to crack, and therefore more durable and heat resistant.
While concrete is not entirely scratch proof. It does resist scratches remarkably better than softer counter alternatives such as laminate and solid surface. Reinforced concrete countertops are also advantageous because you can cast useful features such as drainboards, cutting boards and trivets directly onto the surface. You can easily take your chosen design over the top with integrated lighting for a more unified and premium appearance.
Corian is a material constructed by blending pure acrylic resin with natural materials to provide a warm solid surface that is smooth to the touch.
This material has unmatched versatility since it can easily be customized by cutting slabs to size and joining seams with special solvent adhesives.
While “Corian” is a brand name, it generally refers to these types of solid surfaces that have natural minerals like alumina trihydrate and acrylic polymer.
Kitchen countertops need not break the bank to be appealing. Many inexpensive alternatives give the appearance of a high-end setting. One prime example is black shale stone countertops that bear a deep charcoal color peppered with black accents set in high-resolution laminate.
Other budget offerings include recycled glass and recycled paper countertops that retail for nearly $15 per square foot compared to quartz. Ceramic tile countertops and vinyl laminate are similarly cost-effective and have a variety of finishes that can make sure you achieve your ideal aesthetic appearance and utility.
There is a wide array of options to choose a kitchen countertop from. Ranging from glossy granite and laminate installations to matte placements, the world of countertops is your oyster. Check out a few examples from our catalog to see what works best for your décor and design language.
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