One measurement suits all not often works, even when speaking about furnishings or different home-related merchandise. Counter tops are a very good instance. The usual top for a kitchen counter is 36” off the ground.

Whereas that could be OK for some individuals, in a number of instances the counter can both be too low or too excessive. In spite of everything, we’re all totally different so why ought to we accept one thing that doesn’t match? Since trade commonplace heights don’t work for everyone, the pure resolution to the issue is a {custom} countertop top that’s tailor made for the particular person or individuals utilizing it.

Height kitchen barView in gallery
If you wish to design your kitchen from scratch, take measurements and all the time think about {custom} choices
Brown wood and white kithcen layoutView in gallery
The usual counter depth is 24” and the gap from the counter to the higher cupboards is normally between 15” and 20”
Brown and black marble kitchen design with multiheight level topView in gallery
In case you may have an island or a U-shaped kitchen, be certain that to depart some circulation area between of not less than 48”

However what if a number of individuals are utilizing the kitchen and their heights differ fairly a bit? There’s a sensible resolution for that state of affairs too. Multi-height counters are an excellent resolution for households or shared kitchens. They principally characteristic varied surfaces with totally different heights so everybody can really feel snug when utilizing the kitchen. One other benefit for such a design is that it’s particularly nice for multi-functional kitchen islands that additionally work as bars or eating tables.

multiheight kitchen countertop designView in gallery
You additionally want to depart some counter area on the aspect of he range or fridge of not less than 12”
Multilevel kitchen countertop heightView in gallery
Kitchen islands with desk extensions typically place the desk at a decrease top for extra consolation

A bar-height desk work effectively together with bar stools however shouldn’t be probably the most snug possibility for a breakfast nook or desk. A counter positioned at a decrease top brings down the consuming space to a extra snug degree and can be utilized together with common eating chairs. Multi-height counter tops additionally deliver one other concept to the desk. They permit the person to bodily separate features. In consequence, the eating counters may be differentiated from the prep areas, the cooktops and the baking counter they usually can every be designed with the precise top for the aim they serve.

Gray kitchen design with glass cupboard doorsView in gallery
Premade cupboards are designed for traditional top so hold that in thoughts when planning the design of your kitchen
Floating marble island mixed with a lower countertopView in gallery
Multi-height counters may be included within the design of a {custom} kitchen island
Metalic industrial stools for floating islandView in gallery
Select the peak of the counter based mostly on the peak of these utilizing it most frequently or based mostly on the aim it’s going to serve
Multiheight kitchen designView in gallery
That’s a fairly intelligent approach of constructing two totally different countertop heights work with out losing a number of area
U shaped kitchen layout with white countertopView in gallery
Though {custom} countertop heights are largely helpful, in addition they current just a few disadvantages

Right here’s how one can determine the precise top for every space: prep surfaces should be 3”-4” under the elbow so you possibly can simply and comfortably chop, slice and cube. The cooking surfaces should be 5”-6” under the elbow to keep away from splashing sizzling oil at face degree. Then there are additionally the low-level surfaces equivalent to the world you employ for rolling dough or kneading bread. These must be 8” under the elbow.

Marble Kitchen countertop HeightView in gallery
One of many disadvantages is {that a} {custom} countertop top can pose downside when changing home equipment or getting new ones
Kitchen bar heightView in gallery
So consider all the small print earlier than choosing a counter with {custom} top. It’s not all the time probably the most sensible alternative
White kitchen island contertop - heightView in gallery
It’s normally simple to include a custom-height counter when designing a kitchen with white quartz countertop. If the counter is simply too low, you possibly can increase the island
Marble countertop kitchenView in gallery
Take into accounts the thickness of the counter when designing a {custom} kitchen. Not all counters are alike
Multiheight kitchen countertopsView in gallery
If you need a multi-height counter, you possibly can differentiate the features through the use of totally different supplies or colours
Kitchen island with table - multiheightView in gallery
There are numerous alternative ways of constructing multi-height counters work
Kitchen table island heightView in gallery
L-shaped designs are a sensible possibility they usually additionally assist delineate the features within the room
Kitchen layout with built in appliancesView in gallery
The peak of the counter typically additionally dictates the gap between the counter and higher cupboards.

So the commonplace countertop top is 36” off the ground. The peak, nevertheless, can generally fluctuate from 35 1/2” to 37” so don’t take this quantity with no consideration. It is dependent upon issues just like the thickness of the counter or the peak of the cupboards. A below-average countertop top is 32′‘. One above common is 38”-39”. A wheelchair countertop is 31”-34” excessive and the standard kitchen island top is 42”.

What are the most well-liked countertop supplies?

There’s a number of totally different choices to select from with regards to the fabric from which your kitchen countertop is made and also you’ve most likely heard about most of them. Every has its personal distinctive particularities and its personal professionals and cons and making the precise choice is all the time subjective. It’s greatest to have a good suggestion of all of the accessible choices going purchasing and we can assist you with that.

Granite

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Granite was and nonetheless is the go-to countertop materials for many individuals. It was once extra well-liked up to now earlier than different extra cost-efficient choices have been developed and right this moment it’s extra of a press release materials.

Granite counter tops are very robust and sturdy, require little or no upkeep, they face up to warmth very effectively and there’s a number of totally different colour variations to select from. On the identical time, they’re very costly, tough to put in and might crack and stain if not correctly sealed or beneath stress.

Marble

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Marble can also be an iconic materials with regards to counter tops and it’s typically related to class and luxurious. As a result of no two items of marble look the identical, this implies every countertop is exclusive. There’s numerous various kinds of marble and a number of them are very costly however there’s additionally finances choices too, Carrara marble being one in all them.

Marble counter tops are immune to water and warmth they usually’re additionally very lovely. They’re nevertheless costly, they require skilled set up, they stain simply and might will also be scratched simply.

Quartz

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Quartz counter tops will not be really product of stable slabs. They’re product of engineered stone which comprises a excessive proportion of quartz particles and different supplies which is formed into slabs. They’ve a really clear and pristine look they usually’re just like marble counter tops in that sense.

Quartz counter tops may be custom-made in any measurement or form wanted, they’re immune to stains, warmth and acid, simple to keep up and straightforward to put in. On the identical time they’re very heavy and fairly costly as effectively.

Soapstone

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Currently soapstone has turn into a contemporary different to granite and is a fabric with a darkish grey colour and a clean and silky texture. It ages over time and develops a patina and it’s additionally a pure stone which provides it a particular look.

Soapstone counter tops and pretty immune to stains and warmth however not as a lot as granite or marble. They require skilled set up and should be handled with mineral oil they usually may scratch and dent simply.

Wooden

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Wooden is among the most versatile supplies on the market and it may be used not only for the kitchen cabinetry and shelving however for the counter tops as effectively. It has a heat appear and feel and it fits quite a lot of totally different types.

Wooden counter tops may be very sturdy they usually final for a really very long time. They do nevertheless require correct upkeep and have to be oiled and sealed regularly. In addition they scratch fairly simply they usually can endure water harm they usually can get stained plus micro organism may turn into an issue.

Chrome steel

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Chrome steel counter tops give off a really skilled look within the kitchen. They’re additionally very fitted to modern and industrial decors they usually supply many benefits. For instance, stainless-steel counter tops are extraordinarily sturdy they usually’re immune to warmth and water harm they usually have a pure resistance in the direction of micro organism. Nevertheless, they are often simply scratched, they’re chilly and noisy they usually’re additionally very costly.

Concrete

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Concrete has turn into a extremely popular materials for lots of latest dwelling interiors. It provides off an industrial vibe and it’s very versatile general. Concrete counter tops may be fabricated to any specs and might have {custom} sizes and styles.

Concrete counter tops are extremely immune to warmth and scratches however they’re porous and may be broken by water. In addition they stain simply, they require common upkeep, they’ll crack over time they usually’re tough to put in.

Laminates

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Laminate counter tops are extraordinarily well-liked which might make them appear maybe a bit too frequent and mainstream. The explanation behind their recognition is a mixture of things equivalent to their low upkeep necessities, the quite a few totally different colours and finishes accessible, the low price and straightforward set up.

They do in fact have some disadvantages as effectively equivalent to the truth that they get scratched simply, they’re tough if not unattainable to restore they usually all the time have seen seams.

Butcher block vs granite counter tops

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A few of the frequent kinds of counter tops can appear fairly comparable but additionally have notable variations and distinctive particularities. A standard dilemma is whether or not to decide on a butcher block countertop or a granite one.

To begin with, let’s outline each. A butcher block is made of various cuts of wooden which are assembled and joined collectively to create a powerful and durable floor. They are often product of various kinds of wooden equivalent to maple, walnut, pink oak or cherry for instance.

There’s additionally various kinds of wooden grains to select from. Closed-grain wooden could be very clean whereas open grain is extra porous and textured and never as nice within the kitchen.

Finish grain is product of quite a few small sq. blocks joined collectively and is the strongest and most sturdy kind of all.

Edge grain is the most typical one as a result of it’s each robust and inexpensive. It’s constructed from lengthy picket slabs.

Face grain is product of lengthy picket planks and is the least sturdy kind.

Granite is a little more tough to investigate as a result of there’s no commonplace approach of assessing its high quality and It’s as much as every retailer to provide you with their very own grading system. We will nevertheless normally distinguish between 3 predominant varieties that are the industrial or builder grade granite, the mid-grade kind and high-quality granite.

These varieties are all pretty comparable with just a few minor variations. Excessive-quality granite is extra uncommon and normally additionally has uncommon patterns and colours. By way of bodily high quality nevertheless all three varieties are usually the identical so the distinctions are based mostly totally on appears.

Each butcher block and granite counter tops have professionals and cons. Granite as an example is sturdy and low-maintenance, it’s immune to warmth, scratches and stains and it is available in many alternative colours and patterns. On the identical time, since granite is a pure stone it will possibly have imperfections and if it will get broken that normally means knowledgeable must be referred to as during which may be fairly costly.

Butcher block counter tops alternatively add a heat and comfortable really feel to the kitchen. They’re additionally friendlier to your knives since they’re not as harsh as stone however that additionally means they get broken extra simply. They’ll get scratches and stains with relative ease however it’s not the tip of the world as a result of most may be fastened at dwelling utilizing solely sandpaper and oil.

In relation to upkeep, granite and butcher block counter tops are fairly totally different. On one hand, the wooden counter tops require extra upkeep and should be oiled often to forestall moisture from moving into the wooden. This nevertheless is straightforward to do and doesn’t want skilled help.

Then again, granite counter tops are low upkeep and normally solely must be sealed as soon as.

Marble vs Granite counter tops

Marble vs Granite countertopsView in gallery

One other frequent comparability is between marble and granite counters. It is sensible since granite is the most typical kind and marble is pretty just like it in some ways. They’re each pure stone supplies however marble is a metamorphic rock product of limestone whereas granite is an igneous rock constructed from a mixture of components or grains.

The obvious distinction between these two supplies is their look. Granite has a grainy look resulting from its composition. These specks may be of various colours based mostly on the composition of the granite so there’s many alternative variations to select from.

Marble alternatively is understood for its clean and distinctive patterns or veins. Marble is pretty uniform and the colours is usually concentrated in these veins which give every bit a novel look.

If we’re to check these two supplies based mostly on sturdiness, granite could be superior. It’s tougher and extra immune to chips and scratches. After all, each supplies are immune to warmth however not immune to stains since they’re each porous supplies. In addition they each require correct upkeep and sealing.

By way of worth, marble and granite counter tops are as soon as once more pretty comparable. Granite tends to be a bit decrease however there are in fact exceptions. Uncommon kinds of granite may be costlier than marble and vice versa.

Quartz vs granite vs marble

Quartz vs granite vs marbleView in gallery

There’s one other materials that we regularly ponder for our kitchen counter tops: quartz. It too is kind of just like each granite and marble which might put is in a dilemma. So how does it evaluate to those two different supplies?

Nicely, to start with quartz counter tops are engineered surfaces and never stable pure stone slabs. This already means there’s extra types and kinds to select from in comparison with marble and granite. Some quartz counter tops have a speckled look just like granite and others replicate the look of marble.

Quartz counter tops include a resin which is vulnerable to warmth harm and meaning they shouldn’t be uncovered to it. Excessive ranges of warmth can soften the resin and depart everlasting marks on the counter. On this sense, marble and granite are superior.

By way of worth, quartz is akin to each granite and marble however tends to be a bit costlier than these two. The upper price nevertheless comes with just a few benefits equivalent to the truth that quartz is a non-porous materials and extra immune to stains than the opposite two supplies. It’s additionally sturdy and is available in a variety of types and colours.

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