When it comes to kitchen countertops, options vary from rare and high-end to cost-efficient and standard.
A kitchen renovation is one of the most transformative types of changes you can make to your home. Not only does a kitchen remodel make your space more functional and attractive, but it also can give you an excellent return on your investment. It’s no secret that home buyers look for kitchens and bathrooms when house hunting, so any money spent on a kitchen is a dollar well spent.
An integral part of your kitchen remodel is changing up the countertops. Depending on your budget, you can pick high-end stone or completely engineered products. Some modern kitchen projects involve innovative and creative countertop solutions that are unexpected but still aesthetically pleasing. Before embarking on your kitchen renovation plans, consider the different types of countertops on the market and decide which types work best for your project.
Budget-friendly and easy to install, laminate countertops are the standard option in many new builds. Since they are completely engineered using MDF topped with a paper and resin combination that has been subjected to heat and pressure, laminate countertops are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. If you decide to install laminate countertops, you can measure and order pieces of laminate that are pre-cut to fit your countertop space exactly.
Although some homeowners choose to install laminate without professional help, having an experienced installer from JSB Home Solutions do the work is still recommended. Without experience, it can be easy to chip or scratch the surface of the laminate. Also, if water seeps under the surface to the MDF below, laminate countertops can swell and warp. Although laminate may be the most cost-efficient option, you should also budget for repairs and replacement down the road.
For homeowners who want a little more substance than laminate countertops but want a moderately-priced option that is still durable and attractive, solid surface countertops are an excellent compromise. Like laminate, solid surface countertops are made from completely engineered materials. Instead of attaching several substances together using heat technology, solid surface countertops are consistent throughout, from top to bottom.
Solid surface countertops are comprised of materials that give it a slightly plastic look and feel, though it still provides a closer look to natural stone than a laminate alternative. If you choose a solid surface, you must be careful not to set hot pans on the countertop because it can leave a scorch mark. One advantage of a solid surface over other types of countertops is the ability to make small repairs by just using sandpaper to smooth out scratches when necessary.
Many homeowners prefer to use natural stone, such as granite or marble, as the material for kitchen countertops. This is for good reason since granite kitchen countertops have long been the standard for a high-end-looking kitchen. Although other types of countertops have become on-trend, granite continues to be a classic way to elegantly update your kitchen and increase your home’s value.
Natural stone countertops must be carefully measured and cut to exact specifications since they originate as large slabs of stone that have been mined from quarries. Natural stone is unaltered and not combined with engineered materials. For this reason, they must be sealed for protection once installed and periodically after that. Professional installation is necessary because the natural stone can crack if handled incorrectly.
Although it’s a newer creation than some of the other available options, quartz kitchen countertops quickly gained popularity and remain a top choice. They are considered some of the most sought-after countertops because they combine the beauty of real stone with the consistency of solid surface material. Due to the popularity of engineered quartz and the elaborate method of creating it, this is one of the pricier options.
To create engineered quartz countertops, manufacturers combine bits of natural stone, silica, and glass that would otherwise be wasted with a small amount of resin to bind the product into a solid material. Since the production of quartz countertops utilizes waste materials, they are considered a more eco-friendly alternative to some of the other options.
A relatively new option for countertops, concrete has gained popularity due to its modern and streamlined look. To produce a concrete countertop, the area can be measured, and the concrete can be poured to the exact specifications offsite, then brought to your kitchen for installation. Alternatively, a mold can be created directly on your cabinets, and the concrete can be poured on-site. Either way, concrete allows you to create a free-form shape for your countertop. This flexibility is appealing to homeowners who want the freedom to choose a shape that works well with the space.
Another advantage to concrete is the ability to add dyes and create a custom color. The texture is also changed to meet your specifications. Once the project is complete, the countertop is sealed and must be resealed regularly to remain functional.
Ceramic tile is another viable option for kitchen countertops that are often overlooked. Tiles require grout in between, and this is seen as a disadvantage for many homeowners. If the grout is properly sealed and resealed periodically, it will not collect moisture and food debris like unsealed grout. Using tile is appealing because you can choose any shape, color, or size tile to complete your project. If cost is a factor in your renovation, tile is one of the least expensive options. Although many homeowners are comfortable with do-it-yourself tiling, the tiles need to be level and line up perfectly. Uneven tiles can make it more difficult to properly use the surface like a kitchen counter.
When you think of stainless steel countertops, you probably picture a commercial kitchen. In recent years, this look has migrated into residential kitchens as well. The streamlined and sleek look makes this material an elegant choice aesthetically, and stainless steel can be molded into different shapes to fit the look of your kitchen. Although the look is high-end, stainless steel countertops are some of the most expensive on the market and require significant maintenance to stay in top form.
No matter what kind of countertop you choose, finding an experienced and trusted home services professional to help you select and install your project could make a huge difference in the look of your kitchen. From fully engineered solid surface and quartz to natural stone such as granite, marble, or soapstone, your perfect kitchen is within your reach when you reach out to a company that is eager to help make your vision a reality. To learn more about your options in Canal Winchester, Groveport, Columbus, Blacklick Estates, Lithopolis, and Pickerington OH, contact JSB Home Solutions today or call us at 614-245-2972.
Image Credit: Artazum/Shuttershock