Countertops Materials – Cost and Types
There are different countertop materials, but it is important to know the differences and pros and cons between different types of materials to be able to pick the right one.
Types of Countertops
There are many different types of countertop materials. They vary by styles, designs, finishes, way of production. It’s important to know the features of countertop materials in order to pick the right one for the project.
When it comes to countertop materials, there is no one answer which countertop is the best. It all depends on the style of life, how much cooking is involved in the kitchen, personal preferences, and design. Countertop materials can be highly polished, mate, or textured.
Finishes of Countertops
If the preference is highly reflective surface, there is some maintenance involved, diligent upkeep and cleaning. The scratches on such services show very easily either on stone or steel. It would be important to use cutting boards on such surfaces.
Another important point with the highly reflective countertops, take into consideration how much light is in the kitchen. Smooth surfaces reflect the light easily. If there is a lot of sunshine, the reflections may shine into the eyes.
How to Choose Countertops
Even though it might seem that there are endless possibilities for countertop materials, these are the elements of the kitchen that will probably stay for many years. So it is important to make an informed decision before choosing the final countertop materials.
Another good idea is to borrow or buy a large sample of the material that might go into the kitchen and put them in the kitchen to see how well they flow with the rest of the kitchen elements, or take a sample to the stone shop and put the sample right against the countertops materials to see how everything looks and if the colors match and go well together.
Laminate
Cost: $600- $2,500
Pros. Inexpensive, easy to install, and due to the development in technology and decorative edges, it is better-looking material than it was several years ago.
Cons. There should be no cutting directly on this material, as it can be damaged easily and permanently.
Solid Surfacing
Cost: $1,960 to $5,600
Pros. This material is available in a variety of colors and patterns. It can be used for counters, sinks, and backsplashes, which creates a seamless look, as joints are nearly invisible. It has a consistent look, so its color won’t vary much from one slab to the next. This material is resistant to most stains, and scratches can be easily repaired.
Cons. Even though it is easy to repair the scratches, they still can be damaged by using the knife, so it is a good idea to use the cutting board.
Recycled Glass
Cost: $3,360 to $6,720
Pros. This material gives a fun, contemporary look. Ground glass makes it less busy. Most glass counters can resist stains, cuts, scratches, and heat.
Cons. Since these countertop materials contain glass, extreme heat can cause a crack.
Butcher Block
Cost: $2,00 – $6,000
Pros: This countertop is easy to install. It adds warmth. Repairs can be done without any problems. Oils can damage the countertop.
Cons. It is easy to scratch butcher block, but the scratches can be sanded out.
Click Here to learn about more traditional countertop materials, like granite, quartz, marble, etc.
