Remodeling your kitchen can be done for a variety of reasons, from modernizing an outdated kitchen to upgrading your kitchen when putting your home on the real estate market. One way to update your kitchen is to replace the countertops. Since countertops are the most used surface in the kitchen, they can easily become stained, scratched, or chipped. There are a variety of different countertops you can select from that will not only fit your budget but give you the perfect kitchen.
Granite Countertops
Granite countertops can be a pricey option for new kitchen countertops, but the durability and the beauty of granite make up for the price. Granite is comprised of a number of different colors within the stone, providing you with an option to select the shade of granite you want the most and the ability to add warmth to your kitchen.
There are a few downsides to having a granite countertop. Granite is susceptible to acidic products, including certain cleaning products, vinegar, citric juices, and alcohol. Always use coasters underneath your drinks and wipe up any spills immediately. You also need to be careful not to set hot items directly on the granite countertop. Use a trivet or hot pad underneath any hot plate, pan, or pot you are placing on the countertop. With proper precautions, you will be able to protect your granite countertop investment and keep it looking like new.
Concrete Kitchen Countertops
The phrase “concrete countertops” may concern you and make you believe that the countertop will look like the sidewalk outside your home, but all concerns about that is a waste of time. With coloring pigments, chemical stains, and epoxy coatings, the concrete can be given the look, texture, and even the feel of marble, granite, and limestone. Design options for a concrete countertop include edge details, inserts, curved countertops, built-in trivets, and built-in sinks.
Each home improvement contractor you go to will provide you with a different set of one-of-a-kind standard and premium colors. Every concrete countertop is handmade, so no two countertops will ever be alike. Concrete countertops can often run similar prices to the pricey granite and marble countertops, but the reason for the higher price lies in the fact that the material is detailed and designed specifically for you.
Quartz Countertops
A better name for quartz countertops should be engineered quartz countertops. When buying a quartz countertop, it is important to note that your countertop will be extra-strong since the ground quartz is mixed with a small amount of polymer resins, producing a super-hard countertop. This resin can also provide a customized color to your countertop, with unlimited color options available.
In addition to being very strong and nearly indestructible, quartz countertops have several other benefits. They are not porous like granite countertops and can be kept 99.9% free from bacteria. Quartz countertops are also resistant to staining or corrosion. However, they are vulnerable to heat and it is important to use trivets or heating pads when setting a hot platter on the countertop.
Laminate Kitchen Countertops
Laminate countertops are one of the most economical and affordable among the variety of kitchen countertops. These countertops can come in a range of colors and patterns, even patterns that look like wood and stone. Laminate countertops are formed when layers of paper are treated with resin before being pressed together under extreme heat and pressure.
The best part of a laminate countertop is that you can choose from a wide variety of designs, including ones that look like wood, metal, and stone, and designs of mod, polka-dot, and organic patterns. Although laminate countertops can be inexpensive, they can become easily damaged. These countertops can be scratched and chipped easily, and water under the resin surface can cause the wooden base to swell but repairing laminate countertops is a fairly simple process.
As you can see, there are a number of different kitchen countertops you can choose from that will fit your budget and still provide you with the look you want. If you cannot set aside a large budget for a new kitchen countertop but want to have a marble countertop, you can opt for a laminate countertop with a marble design. With an unlimited variety of materials, designs, and color choices, finding the countertop to match the kitchen of your dreams should not be hard at all.
