Why You Should Not Choose Countertops by Design Alone
Picture this: you are in Home Depot scouring for countertops when you find something that catches your eye. You think it’s perfect for your kitchen in terms of texture and color. What’s even more perfect is that the shade matches your cabinets. It’s a good buy, right?
Hold your horses.
While design is very important, there are other factors that come into play when choosing countertops for your kitchen.
Different Types of Materials for Your Countertops
The material you choose is crucial in ensuring that your countertop will go a long way. We will discuss some of the pros and cons of these materials, and hopefully we can help you make your own decision along the way.
- Natural Stones. The most popular of this type of material is granite. That’s because it’s very flexible, works with most kitchen themes and comes in a variety of colors. The only drawback, perhaps, is that it can be quite pricey since you spend at least $50 per square-foot to as much as $300.
There’s another alternative as well, and that’s the soapstone. What most people don’t probably know is that this was the preferred material before granite permeated the consciousness of most homeowners. Depending on your area, soapstone is a cheaper alternative compared to granite although you don’t have the same array of colors as granite.
Slates, limestones, and marbles are also worth looking into as countertops, although we can’t discuss them all for lack of space. The good news is you can call us anytime for any of your concerns and our staff can help clear the confusion.
- Ceramic Tiles. Although not as popular now when compared to granite, ceramic tile should not immediately be disregarded as countertops. In fact, we dare say that it can make your kitchen stand out from the rest. It’s also quite cheaper compared to natural stones.
Of course, this one is very tricky and best left to professionals like us. For instance, do you know that you don’t just use any tile for countertop? It must be certified as sturdy enough for prolonged use.
- Plastic Laminate. Formica, despite its name, is quite resilient. It’s the cheaper alternative when you need a countertop but don’t have the budget to buy the more expensive materials. For instance, you only spend about $3 per square-foot of this product. And it’s easy to install, too, so you don’t spend much on labor. The only drawback is its ill-repute as making your whole kitchen look cheaper.
- Another overlooked material when it comes to countertops. Wood gives your kitchen a unique identity and rustic feel. Few homes use wood as countertop so again, this adds dimension to your own space. One problem, however, is that it can be a pain to maintain. You need to apply a mineral oil product every couple of weeks to sustain that glossy finish. There’s also the misconception that it can harbor bacteria, which is not true at all.
Call Us Today for Your Countertop Needs!
There are also concrete and solid surfacing countertops, which you can certainly consider for your own home. Call our technicians now and we’ll explain the pros and cons of each material, and help you decide which one is best for you.
