Choosing a Countertop That is Right for
You
by: Lee Dobbins
Choosing a kitchen counter material can be an overwhelming task
in the midst of a huge kitchen makeover. Before you select a material, try to decide what look you are going for. Scour
magazines and take a trip to your local home improvement center to get an idea how each type of material will effect the overall
style of the kitchen.
Some materials for kitchen counter tops include:
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Laminate - The least expensive and comes in a huge range of
colors. You have to be careful not to cut or put anything hot on the surface, but it is easy to clean. It is not as durable
as stone or Corian and doesn’t look as nice either!
Tiles - Tiles can range in price from very inexpensive to very
expensive depending on your choice. In my opinion they make terrible counter tops because food and such tends to get caught
in the grout lines. Even worse, if you use light colored grout it gets dirty very quickly and must be scrubbed all the time.
Tiles can crack and chip easily.
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Corian - A very durable counter that is seamless and has the
look of granite. It comes in a myriad of colors and can scratch, but these can be sanded and repaired. Unlike stone, it
will melt so no hot pots on the counter top. More expensive than laminate but a bit less than stone.
Granite - This material is a long time favorite and one of the
most expensive. It is extremely durable and virtually scratch free and heat proof. It is porous, though so you will have to
wipe up any spills quickly and be careful about what chemicals you put on it. These days, granite comes in a range shades in
the gray - black - green and even dark blue colors. Granite must be sealed every year, but otherwise is quite easy to clean
and care for.
Marble - Beautiful but very porous and is not really practical
for a counter top. It will stain easily with normal food prep.
Slate - Slate has a nice warm earthy look without the shininess
of granite. It is durable and easy to clean and unlike granite is nonporous. Scratches can be easily repaired.
Butcher Block - Wood kitchen counter top materials can give
hour kitchen a warm look. Butcher block is good for cutting as
the marks can be sanded out but it is not very resistant to
bacteria or stains. Would need periodic conditioning.
Concrete - Fast becoming a favorite in modern kitchens that
want an industrial look, concrete is a mid priced material that can be mixed to form any color and even can be mixed with little
pieces of anything you want it it! It is durable and easy to clean but is very porous and should be sealed to avoid
staining.
About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.home-improvement-solution.com in addition to other
sites. Visit the article database at http://www.home-improvement-solution.com/articles.html for
more on remodeling and home improvement.
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