Choosing the Right Countertop for Your Kitchen
Remodeling your kitchen is often a really fun task as you end up with a whole new space that best fits your style. However, one of the biggest questions that arise during the process is, “What kind of countertop should I get?” Today, there are so many different colors, materials, and patterns to choose from, making the choice even more difficult than it was before. As a result, we have decided to outline the most popular ones down below to help make your choice a little easier. Therefore, keep on reading to get a detailed overview of some of the best countertop materials that are offered today.
Natural Stone Countertop
Some of the most popular natural stones that you’ll find in kitchens include granite, slate, as well as soapstone.
Granite is especially notorious for being placed in high-end kitchens. There are a few color patterns to choose from and when sealed properly, it is heat and stain resistant. However, since it is porous, with time it can start absorbing liquids or even worse, bacteria. In addition, despite the fact that it is pretty durable, it does run the risk of getting chips and cracks if not handled with care. It is also worth noting that since it is a natural material that has to be found rather than made, it can get quite expensive, especially if you are looking for slabs without any seams.
Slate is a great option for those who have articulate taste as this material doesn’t have many shifts in color and instead, offers a more uniform look. There are a few shades to choose from and unlike other materials, it isn’t porous. Therefore, it’s pretty simple to clean up and it’s unlikely to ever harbor any bacteria. It is also well known for being quite durable. On the downside, though, the corners can be brittle or even sharp at times which can often result in cracks while the slate itself is fairly soft. It also offers only a few styling and color options.
Similar to slate, soapstone also comes in only a few colors, but it is durable. In fact, since it is a soft stone, it’s more pliable than others, making it resistant to getting cracks. It is also heat resistant, so it won’t ever be damaged by any hot pots or pans. In addition, it is environmentally friendly as it doesn’t have any chemicals and it is completely recyclable. However, since it is soft, it is more likely to get damaged from any cookware that falls on it. They are also not naturally smooth which is why you need to make sure that you are using a smooth finish over it. On top of that, it gets darker as it ages which is why you have to treat it with mineral oil on a regular basis if you’d like it to get dark evenly across the entire countertop.
Wood Countertop
Wood countertops have a very unique look to them as they offer warmth in their design, which is difficult to achieve with other kinds of countertop material. In addition, there are a lot of types of wood countertops to choose from such as maple, birch, and oak. There are also a number of styling options like face grain and panels, to name a few. As a result, this material works well with a number of design styles whether it be Mediterranean, contemporary, or traditional. In addition, more and more wood is being repurposed for countertops as it is recyclable, making it a greener countertop option. However, in order for it to be durable, you have to make sure that you seal it properly. To ensure that it is waterproof, you also have to consistently treat it with mineral oil. It also tends to show wear and tear earlier than other materials which is why the finish will have to be reapplied or even the entire surface will need to be sanded and then refinished. On top of that, it is also a very soft material so it gets damaged quite easily. That’s why it’s recommended that you, for instance, use cutting boards and hot pads.
Concrete Countertop
Concrete countertops are arguably the best out of all of them as they are so personalizable and can last you a long time if you maintain them well. Other advantages include the fact that they are cost effective, you can make them on your own, they’ve got a lot of character, the design possibilities are endless, they are easy to clean and maintain, and they don’t scratch or stain easily.
Today, people have the choice of either getting them precast in a workshop and then delivered to their home or doing it right in the comfort of their home that way they can add their personal touch to it. In fact, there are so many benefits to a DIY concrete countertop project. For one, you won’t risk wrecking it unlike those that are precast as they have to be carried from one place to another. In addition, although concrete countertops cost less than of all of the other forms of countertop material, it is even cheaper to make it on your own. In fact, DIY concrete countertops are truly not difficult to do as long as you are using quality materials and have the right tools.
For those interested in taking a look at how they can do it on their own or are even ready to do so but simply need to get the right tools, use our site Concrete Countertop Solutions as your one stop shop for all of your concrete countertop needs.
Conclusion
As you can see, even this list is pretty extensive. However, we personally believe in the power of concrete and know that if you give it a try, you won’t be disappointed. It simply has so much to offer that other countertop materials cannot compete with. Nonetheless, we hope you do all of the required research necessary before figuring out exactly what you’ll go with because, in the end, the countertop material that you end up going with will either make or break the design of your kitchen so choose wisely!
