All homeowners planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel want only the best. Unfortunately, most can’t afford the best of every component in their kitchen or bath, and therefore decide to prioritize which components to invest money in and which components to pass up. A general rule of thumb regarding kitchens is that those features that will receive the most use are the items that the homeowner should not skimp on.
Countertops and appliances, of course, receive the heaviest use and should never be overlooked. The most striking feature of any kitchen is always the countertop. There is an almost endless selection of sizes, shapes, colors, and materials to choose from when it comes to countertops.
Some materials, although available, should not be used in a kitchen countertop application. The most durable of all materials to use in the kitchen is granite and engineered stone or quartz. Below are solid surface countertops available under several different brand names and then laminate on the bottom.
Laminate countertops are the most common across the country. Most builders install laminate countertops because of its low price and the ease of working with the material on site. For the most part, laminate countertops have very limited character and style. While the overall durability is passable, laminate countertops don’t begin to come close to the beauty, longevity, or durability of natural or engineered stone.
Granite is the main material for kitchen and bathroom countertop applications. Shapes, style and finish vary and can be modified according to the wishes of the owner. There is an almost unlimited range of colors and options with granite because it is 100% natural stone. Granite is naturally resistant to stains, heat, scratches and other imperfections. No two granite countertops are the same in the entire world. This is not the cause of the higher price.
The extraction of granite from quarries is a complex and dangerous task that requires the use of explosives, industrial cranes and cutting machines. Granite stone requires highly skilled craftsmen to safely shape and handle granite or any other natural stone. Except for diamonds, sapphires, topazes and rubies, which are very impractical to use in a kitchen, no other material is harder than granite. For this reason alone, highly specialized industrial machining is necessary to cut and work with granite. After all is said and done, it’s surprising that the installation cost per foot is as affordable as it is.
Engineered stone or quartz countertops are another favorite to use in kitchens. Quartz is a key ingredient found in granite and therefore shares much of the same durability and longevity that granite countertops are known to possess. The differences between granite and engineered stone are insignificant and should not affect any decision-making process.
Solid surface countertops are strictly synthetic by hand with some natural elements built in and are about the same price as granite countertops with regards to installation. Solid surface countertops are not as hard as granite and therefore can dent or scratch more easily. When these accidental blemishes do occur, they can be sanded and polished relatively easily, unlike granite or engineered stone countertops.
There are many other natural stone materials of which marble, limestone, and onyx are a few, but these stone materials are more suitable for bathroom or fireplace and mantle applications. Whatever material is used to enhance the kitchen or bathroom, be sure to pay attention to the supplier’s maintenance instructions to ensure the material’s beauty endures for decades to come.