granite kitchen
For homeowners looking to remodel their kitchens,
picking a durable and good-looking countertop is a way to make the room
both comfortable and practical.
Kitchens are usually among the busiest rooms in
the home, the place where families cook, eat, gather and entertain.
It's also the room that's usually seen _ and judged _ by visitors and
guests.
Durability, ease of maintenance and appearance are
important aspects to keep in mind when choosing a countertop. And the
nicer and more expensive countertops, made from granite or quartz, for
example, can also add value to your home.
"You get a lot of opportunities for wear and tear.
From a consumer's point of view, it's important to make sure that the
surface you choose is durable," said Christine Coffin, North American
market manager for DuPont Surfaces.
Those who are shopping for kitchen countertops
should first set their budget, then research the types of available
materials. Homeowners can surf the Internet or their local phone
directory to find designers, fabricators and installers in their area.
Large retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe's sell kitchen countertops
as well.
For years, laminates such as those manufactured by
Formica and WilsonArt, were the most popular countertop material in new
homes, but they have given way to granite, according to the National
Association of Home Builders. In 1999, laminate countertops were found
in about 75 percent of new homes, compared to 35 percent in 2006, the
NAHB reported.
Meanwhile, use of granite countertops in new homes
increased from 15 percent in 2001 to 40 percent in 2006. As granite
became more popular, its prices have dropped.
Still, the most affordable countertop surface
remains laminate, which is made of compacted paper and plastic
synthetics (cost: about $12 to $20 per square foot). High pressure
laminate surfaces are flat and smooth, easy to clean and come in a
variety of colors. They even have styles that mimic the upscale look of
granite or quartz.
"You can get a laminate that looks like a million
dollars but that doesn't cost too much, and you can instead buy that
Sub Zero refrigerator," said Bill Roush, director of communications for
Formica Corp.
But laminate countertops have visible seams that
can trap dirt or food, and they can't be repaired if damaged by people
who cut on them and scratch the surface. The colors can also fade over
time.
There are also solid surface countertops which are
generally more expensive than laminate, starting at about $35 dollars
per square foot. Corian, an acrylic solid surface made by DuPont, is
nonporous and easy to clean, and they can be integrated with solid
surface sinks. However, solid surfaces may not stand up well to heat.
Both laminates and solid surfaces are less
expensive than granite, which is sturdy and can last a lifetime if
properly maintained. Because of its rich and varied colors and
textures, it can add beauty and elegance to a kitchen.
Granite can cost in the hundreds of dollars per
square foot including installation. It is porous, so it must be treated
with a sealant to resist stains; if not, stains can be very difficult
to remove. Granite is very heavy, so installers must make sure the
countertop is properly supported, said Stephen Melman, the NAHB's
director of economic services.
Another issue with granite is that radon is
emitted from some granite countertops because they contain uranium. A
New York Times story in July pointed out that claims have been raised
about granite countertops emitting cancer-causing radon and radiation.
Scientists seem to agree that the levels are very low, but the precise
effect on humans through long-term exposure remains unclear.
A countertop material that is gaining in
popularity is quartz, a natural stone that is as sturdy as granite.
However, it is nonporous, so it does not require sealing. DuPont's
Zodiaq line, and Cambria Quartz are two manufacturers of quartz
countertops.
Cambria's quartz countertops appear similar to
granite in that the colors are deep and consistent. It does have seams,
however, and is expensive, running at $60 per square foot and up, said
Peter Martin, Cambria's director of marketing.
"There's an aspirational component that goes along with stone countertops. Its a more luxurious type of feel," Martin said.
Countertops also can be made of butcher block
wood, which can be handy for chefs and their knives. They do require
diligent cleaning.
Ceramic tile is easy to clean and stands up well to heat, but it is uneven and can chip or crack.
Other countertop surfaces include stainless steel
and concrete. But the newest player on the market is recycled glass, a
"green" product offered by a few manufacturers, including IceStone LLC
out of Brooklyn, N.Y.
IceStone makes the countertop out of natural
products, and it contains no resins or plastics. They are expensive,
though, running at $75 per square foot and higher, said Susan Gardner
Dartman, director of communications for IceStone.
And manufacturers like DuPont also are developing countertops from recycled materials.
