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Countertop Materials • Unusual Countertops
Kitchen countertops are perhaps the hardest-working surfaces in the
kitchen. They are also a very visible part of the kitchen
cabinets. Because countertops must survive scratches, bangs,
water, and food spills, and must continue to look attractive,
countertop material should be selected carefully. There are
options for every style and budget, and it's best to spend some time
looking at the many choices before you make a decision. Be
creative. Countertops affect the look and feel of the whole
kitchen and can make a dramatic design statement. Just picture
the sparkle of light on a highly polished granite surface or the
subtle dark lines in a white marble surface!
When choosing a countertop material, consider what tasks will be
performed on that countertop. Do you want wood for chopping
and slicing, or marble for pastry and candy making? How about
stainless steel near a hot stove? Sometimes a combination of
two materials on a countertop will give the best solution; one type
for a work area, another for clean-up or eating areas. Think
about what kind of sink you want: drop-in, undermount, or
integrated. A drop-in sink can be used with any type of
countertop material; an integrated sink only works with stainless
steel or Corian-type solid surface materials; an undermount sink
works with any material except wood. Be sure to investigate
all the edge styles available and consider the thickness of the
edge profile. For safety reasons, choose an edge that's not
too sharp.
After studying all these parameters, take a look at the available
materials. Laminate countertops are inexpensive, come in a
wide variety of colors, can have decorative beveled or flat edges,
and can imitate the look of butcher block or stone. Solid
surface countertops such as Corian are more expensive than laminate,
but are nonporous and allow extras such as inlays, grooved draining
areas, seamless backsplashes and integrated sinks. Stone
countertops such as granite, marble, or limestone may be the most
expensive choice, but have a luxury appearance and will last forever
with proper care. Wooden countertops add a beautiful warm
appearance to a kitchen; however, these tops must be sealed properly
to repel water or they will warp. Metal countertops, such as
stainless steel, can add a sleek feel to your kitchen. And then
there are other material choices such as tile, concrete, or even
glass. Tile can allow you to incorporate color and design
into your kitchen, but the grout lines will need to be kept clean.
On KitchenCountertops.us, you can learn about the pros and cons of the various kitchen countertop materials, get connected to kitchen remodelers in your local area, and find a selection of countertop suppliers.
Kitchen Countertop Manufacturers
- Formica
Leading manufacturer of laminate and solid surface countertops.
www.Formica.com - Corian
Dupont is a leading supplier of popular solid surface countertops.
www.Corian.com - Swanstone
Countertops and kitchen sinks in a variety of solid and granite colors.
Swanstone.com - Wilsonart
Manufacturer of decorative laminates and solid surfaces.
www.Wilsonart.com - Cambria
Innovative manufacturer of natural quartz countertops.
www.CambriaUSA.com
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Recent Kitchen Counter News
- Best Counter-Depth Refrigerators of 2024
These models cost a lot less than built-ins and sit almost flush with kitchen cabinetsCounter-depth refrigerators don't extend as far past your kitchen countertops as standard-depth models.By ...
Daniel Wroclawski. Consumer Reports. Monday, 1 Jan 2024 00:10:40 +0000.