A new year means changing the kitchen countertop that you’ve been eyeing since you saw it in the magazine. Now is the time to do it so the start of the year will be great for you. Kitchen Countertop Remodeling should be thought twice because it does not happen always when you change a big part of your kitchen.
Cheap Countertops
Cheap countertops can be an option like Laminate Counters if you like to change your countertop and your budget is small. There are Do-It-Yourself countertops that you can choose too. A ceramic tile is a classic DIY countertop. You can also opt to change your countertop with wood. This looks great, costs low but is high maintenance. A solid surface countertop is increasingly cheaper that you can do-it-yourself.
Most commonly used Countertop materials
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), the most commonly used countertop materials that are specified by kitchen designers last 2014 are the following:
Quartz—88%
Granite—83%
Marble—43%
Solid surface—43%
Butcher block—35%
Other wood—29%
Other stone—26%
Recycled countertops—22%
Stainless steel—17%
Concrete—13%
Glass—11%
Tile—6%
The above data shows that there is a combination of expensive and cheap countertops. There is a lot of materials to choose from and it’s just the homeowner’s final decision that matters.
Quartz and Granite
Quartz and Granite have undeniably become the common countertop choice for most homeowners. These materials are not cheap but both are durable. These are used to be found only in a high-end kitchen but it has now become a popular countertop material.
Quartz is harder than Granite and is practically indestructible. There are drawbacks in quartz, which are, it can be damaged by excessive heat and the patterns are consistent that it doesn’t look like a real stone.
Quartz countertops are stain, scratch, and chip resistant. If you are looking for environment-friendly materials, then go for quartz because it’s made from waste stone and doesn’t require mining slabs.
Now let’s talk about Granite. Granite is cheaper than Quartz and can take heat from pans, unlike Quartz. Granite has more patterns and colors to choose from. It’s advisable to clean granite with water and soap everyday. It is also recommended to have it resealed yearly to protect the durability of the countertop.
There are pros and cons to any countertop material. It is best to visit a showroom so you can talk to an expert. A piece of professional advice is what you need to hear when you cannot choose what’s best for your kitchen countertop remodeling.