The kitchen where all the meals are made and everyone gathers during holidays and friendly gatherings to drink and laugh and talk about each other’s adventures. While the kitchen cabinets are important for utility purposes and give the kitchen its general layout and style, the countertops are what really make a kitchen pop. Bad countertops can bring even a nice kitchen down a few notches and turn off your family and friends. There are a few main countertop options that are widely available, all with their own pros and cons.
Granite
Granite countertops are natural granite stone that is cut into slabs that are shaped into various formations to suit any kitchen design. While this material is extremely hard and durable, it is somewhat porous and will stain if the granite countertops are not sealed. Sealing the countertops must be done every year and the granite has to be perfectly clean in order to perform this action.
Laminate
Laminate countertops are made MDF (medium density fiberboard) or another compressed sheeting type that has a thick plastic coating applied over the top of it that is adhered with contact cement. Laminate is a very inexpensive option compared to granite, and can be made so that it has a particular appearance.
For example, if you want a wood countertop (butcher block) look, you can pick out a laminate that looks like butcher block. The same goes for stone or granite. This makes laminate a versatile option. The major drawback of this material is that it chips and burns easily and cannot be cut on making it a poor option for those who like to have countertop preparation areas.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are manufactured countertops that are made of quartz material. This manufactured countertop product is harder than granite, will not stain, and is slightly cheaper than granite making it a competitive option. The only real downfall of this product is that while it has some of the natural characteristics of granite, it will never look as natural and have the different color variations as granite.
Butcher block
Butcher block is made out of hardwoods such as oak, walnut, or maple and is very heavy. Butcher-block countertops can be cut on, but they cannot have hot pans set on them. Butcher-block countertops are easy to seal by simply cleaning with water and then applying linseed oil to the top of the countertop. This should be done every few months. If cutting on the countertop, you can give the countertop a light sand and the countertop will look as it did originally.
Corian
Corian countertops are a plastic composite material that is extremely durable. The major advantage to this type of countertop is that there are not seams as it can be made in one piece. However, this type of countertop does not allow you to cut on it or set hot pans on it without severe damage.
Choosing kitchen countertops is an important decision. Make sure that you choose a countertop that fits both your lifestyle and your budget.
Adam Yeomans - Adam Yeomans has been writing Internet content for just over a year for the purpose of informing people on how to properly complete home ...
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