Building Contract

Ultra-Modern orUltra-Retro: A Plethora Of Choices Of Countertop Materials

Kitchen countertopsare available in a wide array of materials. When making the decision on what material to use, two things need to be taken into account. First is the consideration of how long the material will last. You don’t want it to become scratched, broken, or stained before it is time to redecorate, many years in the future. The second is beauty, which, as the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder. Since you will have to live with it for these many years, you want to make sure that what you like now will be what you still like then. One of the latest trends in kitchen decoration is zinc countertops, which resemble the color of bullet metals. Other commonly used countertop materials include granite, engineered stone, solid surface, ceramic tile, laminates, wood, stainless steel, marble, soapstone, and concrete.

Let’s talk about a few of these. First, we will dicuss zinc. Zinc can be bought in flat sheets, cut to size, and molded to fit the space to create the backsplash and front curled edging. The zinc provides a shiny metal surface which will give your kitchen the appearance of a professional or restaurant kitchen. Is this the look you want? Some people do, with their love of professional-looking ranges and refrigerators. Not I. I want my kitchen to have a soft, homey look. I want it to make people want to linger there.

Another countertop that has been popular in recent years is granite. Many people love the natural stone appearance of a granite countertop. It has the advantages of being hard and long lasting. It resists heat, which overcomes the primary drawback of many other countertops. If you apply a sealer, the material becomes almost maintenance free. My reason for disliking granite is its dull color. Personally, I really dislike ugly, gray counter tops. Its biggest drawback is its price. As it grows in popularity, the price may come down.

One choice of mine is ceramic tile. In my opinion, ceramic tile gives a kitchen an old-fashioned, retro look. Ceramic tiles are availablein an almost infinite range of colors and textures. Because the tiles are small and installed individually, with some training, you can design and install your own countertop. Ceramic tile is hard, scratch resistant, and heat resistant. The main drawbacks are that a tile can be broken if a heavy object is dropped on it. Also, the grout can become dirty over time, necessitating a need for regrouting.

Another favorite of mine is good, old-fashioned laminate such as Formica. This old favorite has been in use for close to fifty years. Laminate is a good choice because it is lower cost and comes in many colors. This range of colors provides another area where you can express yourself with color. The drawbacks are that the surface can be scratched quite easily, and it can be tricky to finish the front edge.

Another lovely selection that lends a rustic look to the kitchen is wood or butcher block. This type of countertop is available in a range of natural earthy colors. It can be sanded and resealed as needed, but water and heat are the constant enemies.