If you want to remodel your kitchen, one of the things you are likely to change is your countertops. It's tempting to choose a countertop based on cost. Some other considerations that should affect your choice include material, functionality, appearance, thickness, and hygiene.
Material
There's a wide variety of kitchen countertop materials. Some of the most popular are granite, marble, and quartz. Granite is famous for its versatility and durability. This material needs regular maintenance to protect it from damage and stains. It also comes in matte or gloss styles to complement other types of finishes.
Marble countertops are also durable and come in several colors. However, marble is delicate and can be easily damaged by acids. Therefore, you need to be cautious when using acidic substances on these surfaces.
Last but not least, quartz is one of the hardest stones. It's durable and looks elegant with its unique patterns and designs. Quartz is also non-porous and easy to clean. By weighing the pros and cons of each material, you'll be able to find the one best suited for your kitchen.
Functionality
Another thing to consider when choosing the most suitable countertop for your kitchen is its functionality. Countertops with finishes like solid surfacing and engineered stone are best suited for a family kitchen. Stainless steel finishes will come in handy for a commercial kitchen where hygiene is essential. A marble surface will do well in a baker's kitchen.
The other thing you should think about is your sink. For example, an under-mounted sink comes under the countertop. This sink works well with waterproof materials like stainless steel, concrete, solid surfacing, or quartz.
Visual Appearance
Appearance is an important consideration when choosing a countertop. For example, quartz comes in many colors. Each color brings a different mood or attitude. You have a wide selection to choose from, including the classic pear white and the intricate Antico cloud.
To ensure you make the right choice:
It may help to work with a countertop installation expert to ensure you don't miss anything.
Thickness
The thickness of your countertop should also factor in your choice. This will contribute to aesthetics and impact function. A countertop expert will help you choose the right thickness.
Generally, the thickness of the countertop will determine the amount of weight it can contain. If you're designing your kitchen countertop for heavy applications, go with thick materials. Thin countertops are light and sleeker. These are best suited for waterfall edges and backsplashes.
Hygiene
It's vital to maintain high standards of hygiene in the kitchen. You should ensure your countertops are sterile and clean. Failing to observe hygiene can cause cross-contamination leading to food poisoning and illness. Countertops offer different levels of hygiene based on their materials.
For instance, stainless steel is one of the most hygienic materials. This is because it has a smooth surface with no pores or cracks. Therefore, germs and bacteria cannot accumulate. On the other hand, wood has many cracks, and this makes it susceptible to germs.
Wooden countertops should be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected to prevent germs. Marble, laminate, and quartz countertops are also easy to clean, but they don't clean better than stainless steel.
Choosing the right countertop for your kitchen can be a daunting task. If you're to get the most appropriate countertop for your kitchen, you need to factor a number of things including material, functionality appearance, thickness, and hygiene.
You can count on
Luther Falls Custom Kitchens to help you choose the best countertop for your kitchen. Give us a call and let us help you with your kitchen remodeling project.
Champaign
Address: 2706A N Mattis Ave Champaign, IL
Phone: (217) 356-4060
Email: lutherfalls@lutherfalls.com
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