Easy Gardening

One of the main ingredients to a gorgeous new kitchen is countertops.  As soon as you decide which kitchen cabinets you want you have to decide on countertops.  How can you possibly know which countertops fit your cabinets best?  It’s usually a matter of taste but here is a short summary of a few different options you have.

GRANITE

The most commonly used countertop nowadays is granite.  It used to be only used in very high end kitchens but it has become more affordable.  Granite comes in an array of colors including vibrant blues and reds to more calm browns and blacks.  Granite is very heat resistant and very scratch resistant making it a durable option for the most active cooks.  Granite is a porous material so make sure to clean your surface to avoid staining.

QUARTZ

Quartz countertops are man-made  with a mixture of 90% quartz and antibacterial substances.  Quartz countertops are scratch resistant, heat resistant and non-porous.  Within recent years, Quartz has  gained in popularity through manufacturing brands Caesarstone, Silestone and Zodiaq.  Quartz countertops are available in a myriad a colors and their polished finish provides a similar look to granite.  You can expect to pay 10-20% more for good quality quartz countertops

CORIAN

Corian  is made from a  plastic resin, it is a combination of acrylic, copolymer, and an alumina trihydrate filler.  It is basically a plastic material that is available in a wide array of colors and textures.  Corian is not as durable as granite and quartz and you must be careful to not burn or scratch the surface.  In the event you do scratch the counter-top, you can hire a professional to buff out the scratches.  Corian counter-tops allow you to use an integrated sink which eliminates water leaks or the accumulation of bacteria between the counter and the sink.  Corian can be found relatively inexpensive and provides an excellent option for a solid surface on a budget.

PLASTIC LAMINATE

Plastic laminate is also known as Formica. The best characteristic of Formica is that it lasts a long time.  Laminate countertops have been known to last for up to 40 years in some instances.  Laminate is also a much cheaper alternative stone and perfect for low budget kitchen remodels.  Laminate is not as durable as it’s solid surface counter-parts so you must be mindful to not scratch or burn the surface.

CERAMIC TILE

Tile looks is a durable surface and easy to keep clean.  It is an easy DIY project to install and an inexpensive option on a low budget.   Look larger tile options to reduce the visible grout lines to provide a nicer aesthetic look.  Tile is very heat resistant but you must be careful no to chip or crack the tiles.

These are just a few of the more popular countertop options.  It’s important to weight cost, durability and style when selected the perfect countertop for your kitchen.

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