Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Kitchen Countertop Options

By Paulina Kertz


When you decide to update the look of your kitchen, choosing the proper countertop is one of the most important decisions you will make. You want to select something functional and durable, yet attractive. There are many choices, including the following options.

Granite countertops are one of the most popular choices currently and there are many reasons why. For instance, granite can withstand heat and is quite durable. Only diamonds are harder than granite, in fact. Granite can be scratched by knives, however, and if it is not well-installed, it can crack. Granite is also expensive, but if it is well taken care of, this material will last for many, many decades.

Tile is yet another option to consider, and this ceramic surface has many advantages. It is heat resistant, inexpensive and unless you choose a tricky design, tile is easy to install. It can crack, however, and the grout can become stained easily and is difficult to clean. Choosing white subway tiles with white grout is a popular choice today and with the all white surface, you can you use bleach to clean the grout.

Butcher block is another choice and looks beautiful, especially for an island countertop. The surface is smooth and easy to clean, and as it wears down, you can sand it down and reseal it to give it a fresh look. Water and other liquids can stain the surface, and the wood will need to be oiled and sealed from time to time.

If you love that really modern look, consider having stainless steel counters placed in your kitchen. They are expensive and can dent and become scratched, but they withstand heat and are otherwise very durable. They are also seamless and very easy to clean in general.

Laminates are an option that many people choose because they are quite inexpensive and easy to clean. Laminates, which are synthetic, plastic-coated materials, come in many different colors and do not require treating or sealing. They are extremely difficult to repair if they become chipped or scratched, and they don't have the same polished professional look of non-synthetic materials.




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