07

Jan

How to Choose the Right Material of Countertop

If you are thinking of replacing kitchen counters, you can freely do it anytime. Gone are those days when the only choices you had were wood butcherblock or plastic laminate. Nowadays, there are dozens of available countertops, which range from natural stone and renewable sheets made of acrylic to tinted concrete and quartz composites. Countertops come in different patterns, colors, and textures in order to satisfy a design goal.

You can opt for quartz kitchen countertops or granite, depending on what you prefer. If you do not know which material is the best for you, this article is going to help you find out. There are a couple of factors to consider, so read on now to know more.

What to Consider in the Material

Durability

You need to think about how you are going to use the countertops and who are going to use them. In case you have children that make a mess, or you want to prepare meals directly on countertops, the material should be able to take the heat.

Appearance

As mentioned, you should not choose a countertop material according to its looks. However, the aesthetic is an important part of the countertop and overall design. Each material is visually quite different, so remember the finished look you want when deciding.

Performance

Several materials perform differently, regardless of how resistant they are to bacteria growth or cracking to how they are holding up against spills and water. Also, consider what happens when they encounter boiling water.

Do You Cook Often?

If you are preparing most of your meals and giving your kitchen countertop a heavy workout, you will want a material that is durable and easy to clean. You should opt for a non-porous material such as porcelain, stainless steel, glass, quartz, solid surface, laminate or resin. If you go for a solid surface or laminate, you should have trivets and hot pads handy for your pots and pans, since these materials cannot handle heat well.

Your Budget

The price of the material is important because you will need an option that can fit your budget. When you have a price in mind, you should consider a cost-effective material that is more similar to an expensive material. You can also choose to mix and match the countertop material, such as making the island different from the countertop.

Even if kitchen countertop spaces have different prices, they are going to last for years with proper care. Choosing an option that meets your budget could mean you are going to have money left to invest in other parts of your kitchen.

 

Do You Want Something Eco-Friendly?

Recycled materials are now being used to build kitchen countertops. Recycled glass countertops use about 90% of recycled material. Other solid ones are made from a high percentage of particle board, recycled material, and wood. There are attractive options with every recycled and repurposed material that is environmentally friendly. The glass needs little maintenance; the others are going to consume more time so they stay in shape.

Maintenance

Any type of kitchen countertop needs maintenance to keep its appearance, but maintenance requirements are different for each of them. Virtually, some countertops do not require any maintenance, while others need frequent maintenance. If you are too busy to regularly seal your countertop, choose something that is more low maintenance. If you can do countertop maintenance, you can opt for more high-maintenance materials. This will depend on how much time you can devote to maintaining your kitchen countertop.

 

You can contact quartz countertops Rockville if you want to replace your kitchen countertops.