A Guide to Choosing Kitchen Countertops

One of the most important decisions that you will make when you are remodeling your kitchen is what material to use for your kitchen countertops. The material that you select to use for your kitchen countertops should be based on your budget, on how much your countertops will be used, and on what type of look you are trying for. When you go shopping for your countertops make sure that you keep these things in mind.

The Concrete Trend

One of the latest trends in kitchen countertop materials is concrete. Now I know that most people who haven’t seen a concrete countertop will think that concrete countertops will look hideous, but the finishes that are applied to the concrete can actually create very luxurious and fashionable results. In fact these countertops come in a variety of designer colors, and they also allow you to add decorative touches to the concrete like sea glass, rocks, and shells. If this is an option that you are considering then you should make sure that your budget can handle it. Concrete countertops are very expensive, mostly because they are so labor intensive.

The Stainless Steel Trend

Another hot trend right now is stainless steel appliances. If you want to take your stainless steel theme once step further then you may want to consider stainless steel countertops. This type of countertop is going to give your kitchen an industrial look. The advantages of using this type of material for your countertops are that you don’t have to worry about placing hot pots or pans on the countertop, you don’t have to worry that the material will split or peel, and you don’t have to worry about staining. They are also very easy to clean. This is a great option for people who are dealing with severe allergies or who have immunity issues. This is not generally a material that will fit into the average kitchen’s design, so really think about this option before you select it.

The Laminate Option

If your budget is small then a laminate countertop may be the option for you. While laminate countertops have had a bad rep in the past, today’s designs and products are much more attractive then their ancestors. In fact, you have a lot of great designer colors and patterns to choose from, including stone designs.

Wood

If you are designing a country kitchen then a butcher block countertop may be the best option for you. Butcher block countertops will warm up your kitchen’s design and give it a real country feel. This is a relatively inexpensive countertop material, however, it takes a lot of upkeep to keep it looking great and to keep it clean.

Stone Options

If you are looking into a stone countertops then you can select from real stone or engineered stone. The two most popular engineered stone countertop materials include Corian and Zodiaq. These countertop materials are constructed using quartz particles and plastic resin. These materials are durable and stain resistant. If you are interested in real stone countertops then you can select from granite, limestone, soapstone, marble, and slate. The type of real stone that you select will most likely be based on what is available in your area, what you can afford, and what design effect you are after.