Countertop

Choosing the Right Countertop

What are countertops for? And what are good countertops made of?

A Countertop is, in general, the horizontal surface that sits atop kitchen cabinets, as well as other areas where food is prepared. Countertops also refer to any working counter, as they are installed on top of any surface, and are usually supported on the bottom by cabinets.

Countertops can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials. Selection of countertops depends on the cost of the material, its appearance, its durability and strength, and the ease with which it can be worked on and installed.

Here are some common materials for making countertops.

• Polished and laminated granite and other smoothed natural stone countertops are really popular today. They’re, however, harder to replace if they’re chipped or damaged. They do clean up quite easily. They do require maintenance you must regularly seal and polish them to keep them looking good.

• Marble countertops are a bit expensive, but if their cared for properly, marble countertops can last a long time. Depending on their color and veining patterns, marble countertops can also make a room very stylish. One drawback is marble stains easily.

• Although wood isn’t often used, it can give a homey appearance to a room. And your knives won’t dull, and you can smooth out any scratches with sandpaper. Wood, however, is not recommended to be permanently installed on kitchen counters, because it accumulates bacteria, especially if it’s constantly used as a Butcher Block.

• Most modern kitchens, especially those in restaurants, have stainless steel countertops, their easy to clean and maintain. Stainless Steel is prone to showing scratches and nicks and these countertops can dent. They’re also strong enough to stand on their own, and don’t require cabinets to support them. This material, however, easily takes on the temperature of its surroundings, so you have to be careful, especially if the stainless steel countertop is part of a stove system.

• A cheap alternative to expensive stones and steel is plastic countertops; some countertops can be made of plastic, especially if the work to be done on it doesn’t involve cutting or slicing.

• Formica is perhaps the most commonly used countertop in household kitchens, it’s relatively cheap, durable, and can withstand scratches.

• Some good things about laminate countertops are you can install them yourself, they’re inexpensive, they’re low maintenance, and they’re available in all different of colors.

But keep in mind, you need to be careful with knives and hot pans because once a laminate countertop is damaged it is almost impossible to repair.

• Another common material for countertops is ceramic tile; however, they often accumulate mildew and molds, and can be difficult to clean. They’re easy to install and they come in lots of colors and patterns, and they’re heat resistant. But ceramic tile countertops can be a tough surface to chop on and they can crack or chip.

• Synthetic stone countertops are made of a stone and resin mixture. One strong variety of this material consists of a plastic substrate enclosing quartz crystals.

Countertops are constructed depending on their final use. Kitchen countertops, in particular, are formed to have a backsplash, or a raised edge that will keep spills from falling into the surrounding cabinets. Countertop faces can also be decorated, from plain, to elaborate, depending on the user’s desires.

Whether you’re after the “down home” feel of wood, or the stylish sheen of marble, choose a countertop that fits your needs, and not just for its looks.