Kitchen Counter Tops
Have you ever walked into someone else's kitchen and thought to your self, "Man, those kitchen counter tops look awesome!" Choosing just the right kitchen counter top can make all the difference in the appearance of the room. There are lots of other different materials available that can be used. Here are some of them.
- Granite
- Marble
- Engineered Stone
- Plastic
- Concrete
- Ceramic Tile
- Laminate
Granite does not scratch or chip. It is heat and stain resistant. As long as you seal this type of material once a year the stains won’t be absorbed. When this is used for a kitchen counter top nothing else can compare with its beauty.
If you think granite is expensive wait till you see the price of marble. It is much softer so it needs sealing about twice a year. If you are a pastry chef this is the choice for you. Very heat resistant and known for its ability to hold a cool temperature. This is ideal when rolling pastry.
Engineered stone is a new product on the market. Basically it is small pieces of stone placed in a plastic polymer. Stains and scratches can be easily removed. But this type of material does not mix well with heat.
Plastic is cheap. There are no seams or joins. Scratches and stains can be sandpapered away. You can have any color you want but watch out for those hot pots. These types of kitchen counter tops are susceptible to heat burns on the surface.
A concrete kitchen counter top. What will they think up next? Concrete loves the heat. A concrete counter top can have a highly black polished finish. It is scratch resistant. This product is very expensive. Each concrete counter top is specially made for each and every individual kitchen. So if you are interested in this type of counter top, be prepared for a custom made high prices.
Ceramic tile is a favorite for kitchen counter tops. The surface is heat resistant and there are plenty of colors to choose from. Tiles can be arranged in several different patterns. If you’re a handyman, chances are you will be able to place the tiles yourself. This keeps the cost down considerably. Tiles are known to chip easily and the grout can stain. Some times tiles will need replacing. Always have a stash of spare tiles as you never know when they will be needed.
The most popular would have to be the laminated kitchen counter top. This surface has been around for years. This product has visible seams. Should it be scratched badly, it is impossible to repair. The material is relatively inexpensive so if it does get damaged simply yank it out and buy a new one. Remember, laminated tops are not heat resistant.
If you are in the market for new counter tops, it is really up to personal preference and most of all you budget on which surface will suit your needs the best.