Nothing ties together a cooking space quite like the perfect countertop, but finding one that’s appropriate for your kitchen can be a challenge. There are a number of issues to consider before purchasing a countertop. While aesthetics are a big part of the appeal of any countertop, it’s important to look at durability and maintenance issues too. How well is a particular material going to hold up to being exposed to hot liquids? Does it stain? How easy will it be to find a matching replacement if the countertop is damaged? With a little bit of information, it is possible to find the type of countertop that’s ideal for your purposes.
Concrete Countertops
Not surprisingly, a concrete countertop tends to be fairly durable and able to hold up to a great deal of stress. Improvements in the quality of materials and manufacturing processes have also allowed companies to produce concrete tops in a variety of styles and colors that were not previously possible. Despite these improvements, concrete’s greatest flaws also arise for the source of its strength. It is, after all, concrete, and that means that it is heavy and requires a great deal of underlying support in order to be used in a home cooking environment.
Maintenance can also be a problem with concrete countertops. Foremost, a concrete top must be properly sealed before it is put into use, due to the fact that concrete is prone to staining. Worse, concrete countertops are easily damaged by the presence of acids from fruits and other foods.
Quartz Countertops
Much like concrete, quartz is a material whose popularity in kitchens has increased thanks to improvements in the manufacturing process. It’s lighter than concrete, and you can have a quartz countertop customized to almost any look that you’d prefer. It has a glossy surface, and it’s also very easy to clean as long as you employ a mild soap. Quartz also doesn’t require sealing or resealing. One issue to be aware of is that if you have a custom top made quarts, it may not be possible to acquire matching replacement sections in the future.
Stainless Steel Countertops
A modernist aesthetic that employs lots of stainless steel has become very popular in kitchens. Thanks to the fact that stainless steel is not porous, it is a very hygienic surface. It can be easily customized to fit a number of spaces, and the material itself is very durable. One potential downside, however, is that every fingerprint or smudge that hits stainless steel is going to show up, and that makes it less than ideal for families that might have a lot of traffic in their kitchens. Also, stainless steel does have the potential to rust over time, so it may not be the first choice for cooks who intend to use a lot of water in the kitchen or might have a number of spills. Replacing damaged sections, however, is very easy.
Wooden Countertops
Wood countertops are becoming popular, and they do look gorgeous in almost any environment. Many wood materials are also surprisingly hygienic, an advantage that families are likely to be glad to hear. The obvious disadvantage of a wooden countertop is that it is unlikely hold up to wear and tear, and it can be especially prone to denting.
Marble Countertops
The luxurious look of marble countertops is undeniable, and it has long been a popular choice for home cooks who want to make a visual statement. One particular downside of marble is that it is nearly impossible to match with a replacement section if a top is damaged. It can also be very expensive to have marble cut to the dimensions of a particular space in your kitchen.
Carmel Stone Imports proudly serves residents and businesses from San Francisco & San Jose to Carmel & Monterey, CA. Stop by one of our showrooms in Palo Alto, Monterey or Carmel, CA. Or, call us at 877-414-0866.