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KNOW YOUR COUNTERTOP MATERIALS:
1) Granite - There
are lots of options on the market for kitchen countertops. Our
list of top picks gives the pros and cons of each choice so that
you can make an educated choice when you remodel your kitchen.
Granite is the countertop material of choice when there
are no other things to think about - like money. It
defines elegance in a kitchen. The beauty of the stone
contributes to the beauty of even the most modest
kitchen.
Pros: holds up to heat; comes in beautiful colors; looks
permanent and substantial.
Cons: Requires some maintenance, can absorbs stains; can crack2)
Soapstone - Check out this site
Soapstone Slabs - Teresina Soapstone
3)
Engineered Stone (Quartz) - Check out some of these
sites - Vitera,
Ceaserstone,
Cambria, Hanstone,
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Engineered stone is composed of quartz partials.
It is available in a larger range of colors than
granite and has a nonporous surface that resists
scratches. It's easy to maintain, without the
annual sealing required by natural stone.
Quartz countertops are the new
worry-free alternative to high-maintenance
granite. They are stronger than granite, require
no resealing, are highly resistant to scratches
and stains, and come in a huge variety of
colors.
A Gift of Nature Quartz is
found in great abundance in the earth—it is
second only to water as the most common
mineral-based form on our planet.
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It is naturally hard and
scratch resistant. Quartz even ranks a 7.0 on Moh's
Hardness Scale, which is used to measure the
scratch-resistance of a material. Only diamonds, ranking
10, topaz, and sapphire are harder than quartz. Quartz
counters are really rock with an attitude—they are
manufactured with nearly 100 percent quartz. In
contrast, granite may contain only 50 percent quartz.
The other minerals found in granite leave it soft,
porous, and vulnerable to scratches and stains.
Industry-wide, all quartz countertops are made with 93
percent quartz or they cannot claim the hardness,
durability, or impermeability of a true quartz surface.
The prescribed mixture results in a product that is
non-porous, exceedingly durable, and more than twice as
strong as granite.
Color and Appearance
Adding pigments to raw quartz in the production process
creates colors to suit nearly any kitchen scheme.
Although the true look of high-end granite still eludes
the quartz-countertop industry, the number of options
available and the consistency and uniformity in any
given slab make up for any shortcomings.
Pros: resistant to stain and acid; easy care.
Cons: Expensive.
4)
Solid Surface - Check out these sites -
Hi Macs
Because solid surface counters are just what they're
called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The
countertops are custom-made to your specifications.
Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns;
seamless; stain resistant.
Cons vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage
the surface; can be moderately expensive.
5)
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that
inexpensive and you've got a really good choice for
countertops for the average home. Because it's installed
a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful
homeowners.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean; wide range of
price, color, texture and design.
Cons: counter surface is uneven; tiles can easily chip
or crack; grout lines become stained; custom-designed
tiles are very expensive.
6)
Laminates
Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica,
Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They're made of plastic-coated
synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean.
The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.
Pros: you can buy laminates in lots of colors; easy to
maintain; durable; inexpensive.
Cons: scratches and chips are almost impossible to
repair; end finishing and front edge choices can be
pricey.
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