Countertops are one of the essentials of any kitchen because of being the main place where the food is prepared. They are also crucial because they deepen the beauty of kitchen designs. You are right to ask which type of countertop will be the best visual complement to your kitchen style. However, instead of limiting your expectations only to visuality, you should consider some other features of countertops to find the best fit for your dream kitchen.
Since there are different countertop options, you might feel overwhelmed and confused while deciding which one will work best for you. It is a good idea to determine your expectations before diving into the shopping process. Continue to read our blog post to learn the questions you should think about before hunting for your ideal kitchen countertops.
Questions To Keep In Mind
Once you answer the following questions, you will see that your favorite countertop alternatives become clear. So, spare some time to think about your answers.
- How Do You Spend Your Time In Your Kitchen?
Lifestyle is probably one of the most determinative factors of interior design. How you describe your daily use of your kitchen is vital while listing your expectations from your ideal countertops. For instance, do you enjoy having people around while cooking? If so, you may wish to create extra space for sitting. A kitchen island will work as a living space for you and your loved ones. You may consider choosing budget-friendly countertops on your island if you only plan to use this space as a resting area.
Maybe, you are a person who loves to cook. You may like to have more functional and durable countertops in this scenario. You may even bring different countertops together to use them for other purposes. For example, you can integrate butcher’s block countertops between your main countertop parts.
- Are You Willing To Spare Regular Time For Countertops Maintenance?
According to their material, the needs of your countertops vary. While some countertops may need regular deep cleaning and care, some do not require special maintenance. For instance, you should oil countertops made of soapstone once a year. Contrarily, quartz countertops do not need any special care, and regular cleaning will be enough. Therefore, you should know the features of your favorite countertops material and be willing to spare your time to keep it maintained for a long time.
- Which Countertop Colors Are Best Fits For Your Kitchen Design?
You do not have to limit your expectations with functionality when you think about your ideal kitchen countertops. Each countertops material has unique surfaces that can add beauty to your kitchen. For instance, if you are about to renew your countertops only, you should determine which alternatives are the best for your overall kitchen design. But, you do not have to limit yourself to countertops that have matching colors with the rest of the room. You may add a new mood to your kitchen design by choosing countertops colors that contrast with the cabinets’. Or, you may want to reserve the chance of changing your entire kitchen design. In that case, it will be better to choose countertops with versatile colors to match them with different colors and styles.
- What Is Your Budget?
For sure, affordability is an essential factor you should consider while deciding on your ideal countertops. We have good news if you think you have limited budget-friendly alternatives that meet your expectations! You will find affordable options that resemble the one you loved the most but was more expensive than you thought. For instance, consider that you want marble but find it a bit out of your price range. In that case, you can prefer quartz that looks similar to marble but costs less.
5 Most Popular Countertops
Once you have listed your expectations, it will be easier to decide which countertops material will be the best fit for your kitchen. Keep reading to learn the essential features of each popular kitchen countertop to finalize your decision.
- Hardwood Countertops
Real wood countertops are an old-world idea that has never really gone out of style. As homeowners pore over options in kitchen and bath design in the constantly changing world of materials and styles, the wood countertop remains a classic. The beautiful look and natural feel of wood are hard to beat with any other countertop material. Yet wood does have significant drawbacks, especially when used in the unforgiving environment of a kitchen.
Durability of Wood Countertops
Wood is forgiving and soft. When you drop a wine bottle on a marble countertop even from a few inches, it shatters. But with wood, fragile items are much safer. Because wood countertops are soft, they can easily scratch and potentially crack, especially if the wood is not well maintained. Luckily, if you do see a few minor scratches or cracks, wood can be sanded so these issues can be easily fixed.
- Marble Countertops
As a soft, natural stone, marble offers a unique look with details and color shades. Thanks to being stunning, luxurious, and not easily displaceable, marble countertops add to the real estate value of your home. Although it is costly and one of the most beautiful natural stones, it is not one of the most durable alternatives. It can scratch easily and be damaged by acid. Since it is porous and easy to stain, it requires periodic sealing and regular cleaning to protect its new look for a long time. Installation and repair should be done by a professional.
- Concrete Countertops
Few kitchen countertop materials are more misunderstood than high-end concrete. Rock-solid and hard as granite or slate, concrete can be a better fit in contemporary kitchen designs than engineered or natural stones since it exudes a modern industrial aesthetic.
Adding to the mystique is the fact that concrete can be etched, acid-stained, stamped, and sealed to create a countertop surface that is unlike almost any other available material. Modern concrete kitchen countertops are no longer cold impersonal slabs of grey concrete. More often, they are warm and gleaming surfaces that are functional and also remarkably stylish.
Yet concrete does have some significant downsides that make this a product you’ll want to consider carefully before you make the purchase.
As part of the installation, the crew may build or install support frames for sinks, since it is important that the countertop itself not carry the weight of the sink. If the sink is an under-mount style, it is set in place first, then the countertop is installed over it. The countertop is usually adhered to the cabinets with construction adhesives after being carefully levelled and shimmed.
Note: If properly built countertops should have reinforcement around the sink area. Support frames should not be necessary.
Maintenance
Assuming the countertop has been sealed initially with a good-quality sealer, ongoing maintenance requires only the application of a good water-based wax sealer every 9 to 12 months. Annual sealing will ensure the surface resists staining and will lessen the chances of the concrete countertop cracking over time.
- Laminate Countertops
If budget is a top concern, then a laminate countertop may be the best choice for your kitchen surface. Find out the pros and cons of laminate and why laminate might be a good option for you.
Often associated with Formica and other cheap countertops that rose to popularity in the Fifties and Sixties, laminate countertops are made from layers of plastic that are bonded to particleboard or kraft paper to create a strong solid countertop surface.
Though many homebuyers still prefer natural stone and granite countertops, today’s high-pressure laminates (HPLs) are far more durable, better made and come in a wider variety of looks than the ’50s and ’60s-style laminates we often think of. Laminate countertops have much to recommend them, especially for the DIYer concerned about keeping renovation costs low.
Laminate countertops are available in a wide variety of colors, textures and patterns, ranging from options that look like marble to ones that mirror the appearance of stainless steel. The end result is a clean and finished surface that won’t put a huge strain on your budget.
- Epoxy Countertops
Perhaps epoxy countertops are somewhat popular among homeowners looking for something that they can install themselves to revitalize an old surface. However, they present a number of challenges that make them impractical for many lifestyles — especially considering the increasing affordability of simply installing a new surface (like quartz) altogether.
Unlike laminate, granite or quartz countertops, epoxy does not come in pre-made slabs that you can pick up from a supplier and have installed in your kitchen or bathroom. Rather, it’s a type of refinishing product that you buy in the form of an epoxy countertops kit and then use to refinish an existing material.
Note: You can find pre-made epoxy countertops but these are very costly, which is emblematic of a major issue associated with epoxy that we’ll explore shortly.
Consumers commonly place an epoxy countertop over laminate, wood, concrete, or ceramic that has become worn out. This creates a shiny, glossy finish and protects the surface underneath.