Revamping an old kitchen or building a new one from the ground up requires thought, planning and organizing. The purchase of kitchen cabinets may require at least 40 percent of the budget earmarked for the kitchen area, but don't forget that the cabinets will need a countertop. The countertop is the surface area most visible to anyone in the kitchen. Take a good look at countertops, the various materials used to create them, and what you plan to do with them before you buy.
You've probably already decided on cabinets and you know what style your home is or is going to be, so don't skimp on the countertops. Don't make a snap decision. Take the time to learn the types of countertops available. Feel the surfaces. Find out the pros and cons before you open your wallet.
What's Available?
Granite says elegance and luxury with a price tag to match. Expensive and high maintenance, it's not for the faint of heart. You can set a hot pan on granite and it won't leave a burn, but it does tend to absorb moisture over time. Sealing it is required.
Limestone speaks to sumptuous surroundings, and like granite, limestone comes at a high price. The problem with using limestone as a kitchen countertop is that it scratches easily and requires careful sealing periodically.
Soapstone comes in one color: gray. The gray of soapstone takes on a desirable dark patina over time, but the color limitations leaves it wanting in the countertop department. A good choice for restoring 200 year old homes, soapstone simply does not have the offerings of other materials in the stone family to make it a top choice for most buyers. As a soft stone it scratches quite easily and stains. It must be treated with mineral oil intermittently.
A kitchen is all about function. Marble, a softer stone than granite, is heat resistant, but trying to remove stains is nearly impossible. It has a more posh bathroom quality to it and will do better in that area of a home. As the other members of the family stone, it needs regular coats of sealer to maintain its beauty.
If you want an all work and no play look in your kitchen, you might consider slate. An inexpensive stone, it is used in kitchen countertop construction. Slate tends to be an uneven surface, making clean up a bit more difficult. After repeated use, a slate countertop can become chalky. It has tendency to scratch and chip, and because it's a porous stone, it can absorb bacteria.
Engineered Stone
Corian and Zodiaq are examples of engineered stone. Particles of quartz are combined with resin and pigments to create a beautiful look of stone with more durability. Engineered stone is not easily scratched or stained, making it that much more appealing. It's lighter and easier to work with and gives a seamless appearance to countertops.
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