25

Dec

10 Kitchen Countertop Materials That Are Not Recommended

You might have heard of different countertops being raved up and down. But there are also some materials that you need to keep at bay because of their qualities that don’t make them a good choice for kitchen countertops. Some mentioned here have a few great qualities but also have one or more flaws that make them a bad choice. For example, marble is one of the most beautiful stones but it’s a fragile one. This means it chips, scratches, and cracks easily. So, a better choice in place of marble would be granite countertops. Let’s know more!

Kitchen Countertop Materials You Should Avoid

Glass Countertops

When it comes to countertop materials, you want to choose something that won’t break, at least not at the slightest of impact. Well, this is where glass will disappoint you. Even though it is an amazing material, made out of recycled glass and is very sustainable for the environment, glass is still very much a fragile material that doesn’t do well in the kitchen.

Glass is not entirely heat resistant. It doesn’t prevent scratches and dropping anything heavy from a reasonable height will shatter or crack the glass before you know it. So, if you want to go for a material that will last long, then natural stones or even other man-made options are better.

Something like glass will be treated with kid’s gloves in the kitchen and that is the last thing you want to do when it comes to working in the kitchen to get things done.

Marble Countertops

Marble is a beautiful, elegant, and exceptional natural stone when it comes to kitchen countertops and it is also used in bathrooms, vanities and even making sculptures. Well, marble is also really heavy on the maintenance side of things.

When it comes to maintaining marble, the steps are just too many to keep count. First of all, marble is a non-porous material, so it needs to be sealed. Not only this, the material has to be sealed every now and then to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged by water.

Next comes the actual cleaning, which is very tedious. Marble, being a fragile stone, had to be cleaned gently, otherwise you can turn a cleaning session into something terrifying. Also, you can’t use sharp knives on the surface of marble, otherwise, it will leave deep scratches on the surface and that is not what you want.

Stainless Steel Countertops

Stainless steel is an amazing material when it comes to getting something really easy to clean and manage in the kitchen. If you love industrial looks, then stainless steel should be the option to go for. So, what makes it so bad that you have to avoid it? Well, stainless steel can show fingerprints on the surface like it’s getting paid to highlight them.

There is just no way that you can properly clean a stainless steel countertop without leaving fingerprint smudges all over the surface. This is very frustrating about it and cleaning a stainless steel countertop will seem like going in circles and that is not what you want to do.

Travertine Countertops

Travertine is a beautiful stone that is derived from limestone itself. It is a wonderful material that has patterns similar to a cross between limestone and marble itself. However, it can also stain over time and it doesn’t lead to the best of results.

Similar to patina on marble, travertine can turn yellow as the years go by, but it won’t be pleasant. It will make the stone look old and that is not what you want. This is why you need to choose something else that won’t lose its original color as time passes by.

Wood Countertops

Wood is a beautiful and classic option and even though it is highly expensive, it is still something that people rave about. The higher cost is not the only concern for many people because you need to spend even more money to maintain wood countertops.

You need to seal it, tint it, polish it, and do countless other things to ensure that it stays in amazing condition. Well, that can be impossible at times and not everyone has time on their hands to do things like these, regularly.

Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops are amazing. They’re heat resistant and they have a very rustic look to them. But what makes concrete a thumbs-down? Well, it’s the fact that it stains like there’s no tomorrow.

If you know anything about concrete, then you would know that it absorbs moisture and water like a sponge. So, you better believe that concrete will suck in all of the water available on the surface and then it will lead to stains. This is why it’s recommended that you go for something else.

Tiles

When it comes to tile, the look is sleek and effortless, but the main concerning factor is are grout lines. Even though you can hire the best of the best contractors for the job, you will still feel like making the grout look clean is harder than you can imagine.

This is why you need to skip tiles, because not only is grout a problem, but it can also get very dirty and the once-white grout can turn murky and black in no time, which sounds disgusting.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate is a material that is everyone’s dream. It is a reasonably priced material that can mimic almost all looks of stones, materials, and man-made things on Earth. So, why is laminate such a bad choice? Well, because it’s not the best quality. See, laminate is prone to discolor and fade over time and that is something that bothers a lot of people.

Also, it’s not the most durable when it comes to heat and it will lead to heat stains, which is very unfortunate because removing them is almost impossible. So, laminate might be easy on the wallet, but not so much on the eyes.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is also a very good material for the kitchen, but there are a handful of things that don’t sit well with a lot of people. First of all, it is very high maintenance. It needs almost as much maintenance as any other natural stone.

If that wasn’t enough, then limestone also doesn’t do well with heat and it can lead to blisters on the surface that look very hideous. Lastly, limestone is a soft stone, so using sharp knives won’t be the best of decisions, if you don’t want scratches to become a permanent thing.

Bamboo Countertops

Bamboo is an amazing material on the surface, but not so much when it comes to design and creativity. It is a serious bummer for people who love wooden countertops because bamboo isn’t as versatile when it comes to design options.

There are a couple of options that you can choose from and that’s pretty much it. Also, bamboo needs regular sealing and maintenance because at the end of the day, it is a wooden countertop and it needs to be treated like one too. So, bamboo isn’t the greatest of materials.

Conclusion

These countertops are amazing, but there are certain things like fragility, price, maintenance, and other things that need to be considered and they don’t do so well in these departments.

Still, if you love a quality of a certain material like the beauty of marble, the durability of stainless steel/concrete, the cost-effectiveness of laminate, or the sustainability of wood/bamboo/glass, then you can choose that material but beware of the disadvantages as well. If you want an indoor kitchen countertop material with the least downsides, take a look at granite and quartz countertops or consult countertop replacement services Potomac.

12

Dec

Are Marble Countertops Going Out Of Style?

With so many countertop options on the market, it seems like marble might have some tough competition. So, is marble still a good countertop material when you have engineered stone materials like quartz kitchen countertops? Keep on reading because you’ll find all of the answers.

Marble – Not Trendy Anymore?

Marble is a light-colored stone with slightly darker veining. It is a natural stone that is quarried from the ground and it is made into sculptures and kitchen countertops.

Marble is a countertop material that is very high in demand. It is a beautiful stone that just looks out of this world. The random veining, the pearly appearance of the stone, and the way it stands out in the kitchen are just some of the things that make marble an amazing option to go for.

But there are many options out there too. So, is marble going out of style? Well, the answer depends on some things. There are a lot of people out there who still love the appeal of natural stones, especially marble. Think about it – marble is arguably the most beautiful material to ever exist and to think that it is a natural stone that is made inside the Earth makes marble all the more amazing. This is why, no, marble isn’t going out of style anytime soon.

Marble is one of the classic materials that will look good no matter what day and age you’re in. You don’t need to go for different options, just because you think marble isn’t a good stone anymore.

Marble is an amazing stone that still turns heads everywhere you go. Even though a lot of man-made materials have a striking resemblance to marble, it doesn’t mean that they can completely take its place. It’s something that has a class of its own and you need to understand that marble is not so easily mimicked since it has abundant qualities.

Qualities Of Marble Countertops

Speaking of qualities, here are some things about marble countertops that make them still an amazing option to this day.

Ethereal And Beautiful

This goes without saying, but marble is a very beautiful and eye-catching material. It is something that you think you conjured up in your dreams.

The light color of marble along with the veining and the translucent look it has is out of this world and it goes to show that it is an amazing material all over. Not a lot of man-made dupes can top this quality because natural beauty is something you can’t copy.

Natural Patina

If looks are something you can conquer and copy to the T, you sure won’t be able to top this off. Marble naturally darkens over time. This phenomenon is known as patina. This is a quality that is loved by people who adore this marvel to bits.

This is something that not a lot of stones have and man-made stones can never copy this naturally occurring process. So, if you love the slight tint marble has, then it’s something that you will not find in other materials and that is what makes marble an amazing material all around the block.

Timeless

There is just something about the look of marble that doesn’t look outdated. It is something that looks modern and chic even after many years have passed and more than thousands of materials have come and gone by. Marble is something that is here to stay thanks to its minimal beauty and appearance.

Minimal is the new classic and this is something that a lot of people love about marble. It is just so easy to decorate with any other décor in the kitchen and it goes with everything. So, if you’re someone who loves minimal and subtle kitchen countertops, then marble is the way to go.

Last Long

Even though marble is known for its fragility and very high maintenance, it is not something that will be knocked away by a slight gust of wind. Marble is a natural stone and it’s meant to last for a long time. It can last for decades and even more, if you know how to take care of it properly.

It is a material that is not only classic but durable as well. So, marble ticks all of the boxes for you, which means that the day is still very far away when it can be called outdated.

What Makes Marble Countertops A Thumbs Down For Some People?

The qualities of marble may sound like it’s the perfect material to go for. But, it’s not always the case. There are some hits, and then there are some misses. So here are all of the things that make marble a not-so-great material.

High Maintenance

You already know this, but marble needs a lot of maintenance. It is not something that you can set and forget about.

Marble needs to be sealed because it is a natural stone and it can’t be near water or moisture without making some serious and permanent stains on the surface. So, if you can handle the maintenance of marble, then it’s perfect for you.

Higher Cost

This is also no surprise, but it’s just as unfortunate that not a lot of people can afford marble. It is a natural stone, which means that it is very expensive. It is up there with granite and other exotic stones and it is just unbelievably expensive.

So, if you don’t want to put a sizable dent in your wallet, then you need to find other options because marble is going to be one big and expensive investment. But, on the flip side, it does add a lot of value to your home, so that’s a good thing.

Can Be Fragile

Marble, even though it is a natural stone, and it’s essentially a rock, can still be very fragile at times. It is a stone that can chip and crack easily. It is also a stone that doesn’t do well with water, juicy fruits, and sharp knives. It will leave stains and scratches all over the surface and it’s just not a good look at all.

This is why marble is not considered such a good choice, especially when it’s that expensive and heavy on the maintenance side of things.

Light Colors

Even though this is not an issue with most people, for some though, it can be a deal breaker. Marble countertops are only available in lighter colors, so it means that there are very few darker color options available.

If you’re someone who loves loud and bold colors like what granite has to offer, then you won’t find the same things in marble. It is something that can bug a lot of people since an expensive stone like marble doesn’t have a lot of options. So, it’s also another reason why people don’t choose marble.

Conclusion

Marble is classic stone for a reason and you know what they say about classics: they never go out of style. So, if you like marble and want it for your kitchen, then you know what to do. However, there a few things about marble that bother some people like mediocre durability and porosity. If you’re one of them, you should consider quartz countertops because they are more durable than marble and are non-porous. Get in touch with a quartz countertops dealer Rockville.