for Your Busy Kitchen
The kitchen is considered one of the most central areas of the home. Everyone in the family tends to congregate here. Not to mention, making meals together is a brilliant way to spend quality time together. If you’re looking to transform this versatile space, countertop replacements are a great way to give a new look to your worn, scorched, or scratched countertops. Thankfully, there are many different countertop styles and selections to choose from for any budget. Let’s dive in and see what some of the pros and cons are of different countertop options!
Granite
Granite is a highly popular countertop material in many homes. This natural material comes in slabs that are each unique in design. It can come in rare colors or have more veining, but these come at a larger price. Granite is resistant to heat, cuts, and scratches. Matte and polished finishes are resistant to stains when properly sealed.
There are two negative aspects of granite countertop choice and one is that edges can crack and chip. This damage will need to be professionally repaired. You must also stay on top of resealing regularly to keep your countertops stain-free and strong!
Quartz
Quartz is a combination of mineral, color, and resin. It can mimic the look of granite and marble with bright colors and different patterns. Quartz may look like stone but needs way less maintenance and abrasive pads, serrated knives, and most stains are no match for quartz countertops.
Its downfall is that its edges and corners can chip, needing professionals to repair them, but you can help prevent this by rounding your edges.
Marble, Soapstone, and Limestone
Soapstone may not be as popular as granite, but it’s excellent when it comes to heat resistance. When this surface becomes scratched it can be repaired by sanding finely and applying mineral oil. Marble and limestone are classic materials often seen in kitchens. Limestone has a natural stone look and is resistant to heat.
Soapstone can knick, cut, and scratch easily and some stains are too difficult to be washed away. Limestone and Marble have those same setbacks, but heat damages marble, making it non-heat resistant.
Laminate
Laminate is easy to install, budget-friendly, and comes in various different designs. This countertop option is stain-resistant as well as heat-resistant. Laminate is a great countertop choice but can easily be cut and scratched. To prevent damage to your laminate countertops you must always use a cutting board.
Recycled Glass
Larger shards can give a modern, fun look to your countertops while finer shards can make them look less busy. Most glass countertops are resistant to stains, cuts, heat, and scratches.
When it comes to glass countertops they are incredibly resilient against common threats like scratches, stains, and heat. Every brand is different and each may have better specifications than the next.
Solid Surfacing
This countertop design comes in many different colors and patterns and can even be used for sinks and backsplashes as well. This material gives a seamless look because the joints are almost invisible. It is resistant to most stains and small nicks and scratches are easily repaired.
Because this surface is more prone to nicks and scratches it is always best to use a cutting board to prevent damage to this style countertop.
Butcher Block
Butcher Block countertops add a sense of warmth to your kitchen and are quite easily installed. Repairs are also easily managed, but the finish makes all the difference. Varnish can improve stain resistance, but penetrating oils reduce it.
The only con about Butcher Blocks is that they can scratch and nick easily, but they can also be easily sanded out.