Looks can be deceiving in countertops. While the look alone is tempt you to purchase, material’s durability, maintenance and cost are some key factors to be consider in choosing a countertop surface. Whether you are building a new kitchen, or remodeling an existing one, you got to be very careful in the choosing the countertop materials. Remember that it will be the first thing that people notice in your kitchen, and it truly can set the tone of your whole design scheme.
Countertop materials that usually use are natural stone surfaces which include granite, marble, slate, limestone and sandstone. Among the surface that has been stated, the most commonly used is granite. The advantage in using granite as a surface material in counters is it is very strong and durable and highly scratches and nicks resistant. It is usually resistant to etching caused by acidic substances. In addition, granite only needs a low-maintenance, cleans easily and offers a depth of design that’s difficult to match with synthetic materials. Expensive, heavy and requires a strong base are some of the disadvantage of granite. While there are pros and cons in choosing granite, no one can change that granite is still the most prominent natural stone employed for kitchen and bathroom counters.
Meanwhile, marble on the other hand is softer than granite in a way it needs to be sealed more often which usually take place twice a year. A marble requires more maintenance than granite because it scratches easily and reacts to acids. However, the two natural stone surfaces have similarity. Marble like granite is very resistant to heat. Another thing that is similar between the two is the price; both are expensive but anticipate that you pay even more for marble. Slate, limestone and sandstone and soapstone are other natural stone surfaces. These surfaces are usually prone to etching and staining so you better treat them with care. They are less expensive than granite though still more expensive to man-made materials.
Manmade solid surface countertops are becoming noteworthy and increasingly being made to look likes natural stone. Unlike the natural surface stone, manmade solid surface doesn’t need special maintenance; all you have to do is just have a regular wiping of the surface. Manmade solid surface is custom-made to the proper length so you will find that there are no seams. It also comes in a wider variety of colors than natural stone surface. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary and less expensive, this is the one for you.
The most affordable countertop that you can find in the market is the plastic laminate that is sturdy and comes in thousands of colors and designs. This material can easily installed by a crafty do-it-yourself homeowner. It can resist stains and mild abrasions well. Though it is the least expensive, nicks and scratches are readily apparent and not at all resistant to heat, so you must always protect the surface from hot pots and pans. If you are still undecided, you can always have mix and match surfaces that fit to your taste!
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