If you are building a kitchen or remodelling it, you need to select the best countertops to reflect the difference you want to see. Countertops come in different designs and materials, depending on your preference and cost. Some designs and materials are highly-priced as compared to others. Other than just materials and designs, there are other things you need to know concerning countertops. If you are in the process of looking for the best countertop or trying to change the current design, look no further. This article has all the details you need to know. Here are some ten things to note.
1. Appearance
Every house owner is concerned about the countertop’s appearance, regardless of the design and material used. A seller can lure you into accepting a specific material depending on its look, but it won’t fit your design and appearance. You need to know that there are various materials you can use, either single or a combination of many, to come up with the best appearance for your countertop. Most designers recommend choosing the material first, which will determine the design, while others suggest getting a design and finding materials that fit it.
2. Maintenance
Before picking any countertop material, please familiarize yourself with its maintenance. Some materials like concrete last for a long time and withstand corrosion, while marble is very porous, which means you need to clean stains immediately. There are also granite materials, which need regular sealing. Ensure the material you choose is easy to maintain. You can check this blog on how to seal concrete countertops if you intend to own a concrete countertop. There are several sealants you can purchase on hardware that can seal different types of surfaces. Ensure you understand the duration of your seal to avoid staining your countertop.
3. Usage
How will you be using the kitchen? That’s one question you need to ask yourself before hitting the market to shop for new countertops. Is your kitchen used regularly? Do you clean the pills often? These questions do matter a lot in getting the best countertop with the best material. If you have a kitchen that’s in regular use, you can consider materials such as quartz, marble, or granite – check how it makes the color change. Marble material is also the best if you do a lot of baking. If your kitchen stays idle all the time, you can consider using laminate for its countertop.
4. The Surface Edging
How will you want the edges of your kitchen countertops? Will you need it simple or complex? Considering edging is very important in coming up with the best material to use for your tops. The reason is that some materials can’t accommodate the intricate edges and will only fit in the simple designs. Since edging adds some appeal to your countertops, you might consider getting marble material for intricate edges and maybe have some granite for the simple edges. Your cleaning habits will also significantly affect the edges you want. Simple edges are easy to clean, while complex ones require regular and complicated cleaning.
5. Durability
Not all materials last long. Some can work for a few months before needing replacement, while some can go for several years or until you need to remodel your kitchen again. If you need something long-lasting, you can opt for engineered quartz or natural stone materials that don’t wear quickly. If your kitchen is full of heat or comprises many hot substances, get off the laminate material since it doesn’t last long, melts at higher temperatures, gets stains, and scratches easily.
6. Picking samples
When selecting your materials from samples, it’s better to ask to look for the whole slab piece to get a rough idea of how your kitchen will look. Most people look at the samples, buy the material, and get disappointed with its finish once installed. If there is a finished counter in the store, you can use the finished example to see how your kitchen will look. If not, it’s better to check on the whole material than just a sample piece. It will be challenging to determine how your material will look like using a sample slab.
7. Cost
Your budget will significantly determine the design and the materials to use for your countertop. If you don’t have a big budget, you can consider laminate materials, but they don’t last long. If your budget is reasonable, then natural stones are the best for that shiny and durable countertop. You also need to know the origin of the material since they also determine the price. Local granite might be way cheaper as compared to an imported one.
8. Get someone professional
Working with the right countertop professional will significantly influence your kitchen top’s design, functionality, and look. This situation means you need to get the best person to avoid wasting time, materials, and compromising on quantity. Ensure that the expert you get can guide you on purchasing the best materials and work best to ensure you get the best finish on your countertop.
9. Choose a tile or a solid surface
Most people prefer having concrete surfaces when it comes to counters, and they don’t know much about tiles. Tiling is one of the best methods of creating countertops that you can choose from, and they can provide the best material at a lower price. Going with tiles means you will save on costs since you can remove the damaged tile and replace it other than removing the whole surface when only a section is damaged.
10. Eco-Friendly
Everyone is now going green to save the environment by using eco-friendly materials and items. If you are into this movement, you can opt for eco-friendly materials such as natural stones, and locally sourced materials such as marble and granite, leaving out laminate and plastic. Other people go for recycled materials such as glass and concrete counters to avoid the wastage of materials and go green. One disadvantage of this is that the eco-friendly materials are expensive, but they are worth it since they help save the environment and are long-lasting.
If you are thinking of remodelling your kitchen anytime soon, you now have the guidelines to help you through materials and design. We hope the tips will come in handy, especially if you are a first-timer in constructing these kitchen surfaces.
