How To Choose A Kitchen Countertop
Whether your building a new home or remodeling your old, the selection of the proper kitchen countertop can be confusing. Is stone better than Corian (TM)? How much will it cost? How long will it last? What are the pros and cons? All these questions can be answered by knowing what questions to ask the dealer and having knowing what's available and their individual characteristics. This report will provide you with the basic knowledge necessary to select the proper countertop.

Countertop Selection

Before you even consider the type of countertop for your new kitchen you must ask yourself the following questions:

1. What type of cooking do I do? If you do a lot of frying with oils, a stone countertop may not be suitable. On the other hand, if you don't cook that often or frying is limited, stone my be a perfect material.

2. How often do I plan on being in the kitchen? Do you prepare three meals a day? If so, this should be considered when selecting your countertop.

3. What type of abuse will the counter receive? Do you do a lot of chopping and cutting? Certain countertop materials are a poor choice because they scratch very easily. Do you want a material that can double as a hot plate? Laminates can burn very easily, but stone and tile will take the heat from a hot pot.

4. Color Selection- Is the material you select available in the color you need? Make sure to chose a color that you will not tire of quickly.

5. Maintenance Requirements- How easy is the countertop to care for? Does it require frequent sealing and/or resurfacing.

6. Budget- How much do you have budgeted for the countertop? Remember, the countertop will take most of the wear in a kitchen. It may be a good idea to take a close look at your budget and spend less on the cabinets to allow more funds for the countertop.

7. Safety- If you have small children, safety is an issue. Some countertops may have sharp edges that can cause eye injuries to small children.

8. What type of sink can I use? Some countertop material will not allow the use of certain types of sinks. For example, with many laminate materials, under mount sinks cannot be used.

9. Desired Texture- Do you want a polished, smooth, rough, or flat texture? Certain materials are not available in a polished finish. A polished finish also requires more maintenance.

10. Talk to someone who has the type of countertop you are considering. Ask a neighbor, relative, or friend how they like the countertop material. Ask specific questions, such as would you select the same countertop again? Why or why not?

Countertop Types

The following is a description of the materials currently available for kitchen countertops.

Laminates

The typical laminate countertop material is known as Formica. They are made of a thin layer of plastic(1/32 in. or 1/16 in.) that is glued to particle board or wood and can simulate many different materials, such as wood, stone, etc. The edge of the countertop can be square or rolled. Wood, brass and other inserts can also be added.

Advantages:
-Inexpensive and fairly durable
-Available in many patterns and colors
-Resists staining
-Easy to clean

Disadvantages:
-Abrasive cleaners can scratch and dull the finish
-Sharp knifes produce scratches and hot pots will melt the finish
-Warping of the surface can occur with prolonged wetting
-Laminates usually cannot be repaired once damaged
-Seams are easy to see.

Solid Surface Countertops

Solid surface countertops, such as Corian, are made from acrylic and/or polyester plastics. Unlike laminates, solid surface materials are homogenous throughout the material. Available in thickness of ½ and 3/4 inches, these material come in numerous colors. They can be polished, but are often seen with a matte finish. They can be expensive and in some cases, more expensive then stone. An added feature is that sinks can be molded into the top giving a true built-in appearance. Edging detail is unlimited.

Advantages:
-Non-porous and stain resistant
-Abrasive cleaners can be used
-Easy to clean and refinish
-Many colors available
-Seamless
-Scratches can be repaired

Disadvantages:
-Scratches easily
-Hot pots will melt finish
-Expensive

Stone Countertops

Stone (granite, marble, limestone, slate, terrazzo) can make an excellent countertop and gives a elegant appearance. However, each type of stone has its advantages and disadvantages. Most stone countertops are sold and installed in slab units. Tiles can be used, but this is discouraged since grout can be a problem. Stone is available in thickness from 3/8 in. to 1 in.. The average thickness is 3/4 in. Stone countertop should be installed by experienced stone installers because special handling is required.

Marble:
Marble is a poor choice for countertops due to its soft nature. It is easily attacked by acids and scratches very easily. It will stain unless sealed and is considered a very high maintenance material that requires repolishing and resurfacing at least once per year in most households. Marble is available in both polished and matte finishes

Granite:
Granite is an excellent choice for countertops. It is very scratch resistant. Hot plates can be placed directly on the surface. It is somewhat porous and can stain very easily therefore proper sealing is a must. Granite is also available in polished and matte finishes. Granite is also very expensive but is one of the most beautiful countertop available.

Limestone:
Limestone is similar to marble and the same precautions described above should be applied here. The exception is that there are certain limestones that have properties very similar to granite. They can be scratch resistant. They will however require an application of sealer to prevent staining.

Slate:
Slate is also an excellent countertop material, but is not available in a polished finish. For this reason, it is primarily used for a rustic look. It is not available in light colors and can only be found in grays, black, green, and red. It should also be sealed.

Terrazzo:
Terrazzo is a combination of marble chips and Portland cement. It is a rare countertop and is mainly found in commercial settings. It has the same properties as marble, it will scratch and stain.

Tile Countertops

Tile countertop typically are made with ceramic tiles ranging in size from one square inch to as large as six square inches. There are also other shapes such as octagon, rectangular etc. Tile countertops are popular in country style kitchens are durable materials. However, all tile has grout lines, which can cause problems. Grout soils very easily and will require frequent cleaning. I would suggest that epoxy grout be used when installing any tile countertop. Epoxy grout are a bit more expensive, but the expense will far outweigh the aggravation of clean-up.

Advantages:
-Durable
-Non-staining and will not scratch
-Endless colors, shapes and designs.
-Heat resistant

Disadvantages:
-Chips easily
-Grout can be a problem
-Slightly more expensive than laminates

Wood Butcher Block

Wood countertops are often used to give a natural warm appearance. Most wood countertops are made with hardwoods glued together into strips. Butcher block is constructed this way with rock maple or beech. If you do a lot of cutting, wood may be a perfect choice.

Advantages:
-Durable if cared for
-Cleans easily
-Scratches can be removed by sanding

Disadvantages:
-Can Warp
-Turns black if exposed to large qualities of water; requires sealing
-Expensive

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel countertops are commonly found in commercial kitchens, but occasionally will make its way into a home. Its a great material when copious amounts of water are used but can dent very easily.

Cultured Marble

Cultured marble is a poured plastic resin that is made to look like real marble. It has a very thin gel coat on its surface that if sanded can easily be removed damaging the top. Rarely used for kitchens, it is found in bathrooms as vanity tops. It scratches and is not easily repaired when damaged.

Written by Fred Heuston
Reprinted with permission

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