Each kitchen wants kitchen counter tops. However with so many kitchen counter tops choices, it’s laborious to decide on one. After selecting home equipment and kitchen cupboards for the counter tops to go on, chances are you’ll be at a loss.
What sort of kitchen counter tops choices can be found anyway? We’re going to interrupt these down and go over the professionals, cons, and prices of every common kitchen countertop so that you might be nearer to discovering the correct one for you.
Varieties Of Counter tops
There are a lot of forms of kitchen counter tops, however most of them are simple to cowl with a couple of totally different classes. These are a few of the commonest supplies utilized in making kitchen counter tops choices.
Be aware: costs present a variety. Some counter tops might attain outdoors of the vary for one motive or one other. The vary is solely a ballpark determine that will help you examine the variations in costs. Buying regionally is really helpful for the perfect value.
Marble Counter tops
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Price: $40 to $100 per sq. foot
Frequent Colour Choices: Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario, Danby, Cultured, Makrana, Travertine, Pink
Strengths: elegant, distinctive patterns, warmth resistant
Weaknesses: not scratch proof, porous thus absorbs liquids
Marble counter tops are one of the crucial sought-after kitchen counter tops choices. It’s a beautiful possibility that’s common in bogs. It could have to be changed each few years, however with the distinctiveness of every slab, it’s one of many highest-end counter tops.
Marble counter tops are little question one of the crucial stunning counter tops obtainable. They normally come from the mountains, supplying you with a slice of nature in your kitchen. Since no two slabs are alike, you may know that your countertop is in contrast to some other.
Stainless Metal Counter tops
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Price: $80 to $225 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: only a few, however there are different metallic countertop choices like copper or pewter
Strengths: simple to scrub, protected, minimize resistant, warmth resistant, sturdy
Weaknesses: not versatile, noisy, can injury utensils and boring knives
Chrome steel counter tops are a enjoyable possibility for an industrial look. Nonetheless, you threat having a commercial-look in the event you’re not cautious. If it is a look that you really want then you definitely gained’t discover a higher kitchen counter tops possibility.
Since chrome steel counter tops are fairly costly, it isn’t really helpful to get them until you like the look. They’ll final a lifetime, however you must love your kitchen, so solely get them in the event you love them.
Limestone Counter tops
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Price: $70 to $200 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: most impartial tones of lighter colours
Strengths: light-weight, seems to be weathered, might be cheaper than different pure counter tops
Weaknesses: porous, not scratch resistant, want plenty of upkeep
Limestone counter tops aren’t a preferred kitchen countertop, however they’re distinctive. Every bit provides a porous and textured look that may make your counter tops appear to be they had been minimize from historic stone. However you probably have them, you’ll work for them.
Limestone normally requires a particular cleaner. So that you’ll additionally need to spend money on limestone cleaner and use it every single day. Many individuals discover that limestone isn’t value it due to the upkeep wanted.
Granite Counter tops
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Price: $40 to $100 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: neutrals, crimson, blue, and inexperienced
Strengths: nice worth, renewable, long-lasting, scratch and warmth resistant,
Weaknesses: needs to be sealed, laborious to DIY
Granite counter tops are one of the crucial common high-end countertop choices for the kitchen. They’re obtainable at an incredible value. Whereas they’re dearer than “low cost” counter tops, they provide the most effective values.
Most new houses set up granite so as to add resale worth with out including some huge cash to the transforming or building prices. Search for it on sale so as to add much more worth, particularly if the house goes to be offered.
Quartz Counter tops
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Price: $50 and $150 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: virtually any colour
Strengths: typically sturdy, cheaper than different stones, versatile since not all pure
Weaknesses: can chip, can discolor, not heatproof, not utterly scratchproof
Quartz counter tops are one other nice possibility. It may be fairly a bit cheaper than different comparable choices. It additionally is available in extra colours contemplating it may be combined with different supplies. Most quartz is manufactured.
What most individuals don’t know is that quartz is definitely extra sturdy than granite. It’s across the identical value usually however it’s made to resist most kitchen put on and tear. It additionally has a texture someplace between marble and granite.
Lava Stone Counter tops
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Price: $250 to $350 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: any colour, any shade
Strengths: sturdy, nonporous, warmth resistant, can match any design fashion, no upkeep wanted
Weaknesses: costly
Lava stone counter tops are comparatively new. Although lava stone itself is historic and located in volcanoes, the usage of it in kitchen counter tops is new. With so many professionals chances are you’ll marvel why it’s no more common.
The reality is that it’s the most costly countertop you should buy. It seems to be wonderful and may final by means of something. Buu because it’s a uncommon useful resource that’s troublesome to reap, it is extremely costly, so hardly anybody can afford it.
Stable Floor Counter tops
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Price: $60 to $80 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: any colour
Strengths: sanitary, low upkeep, many choices,
Weaknesses: unnatural, not warmth resistant, not scratch resistant
Chances are you’ll be questioning what a strong floor countertop is. In spite of everything, stone is a strong floor. However a strong floor countertop is definitely a manufactured countertop created from resins, plastics, and dyes.
As a result of they’re man-made they are often made into any colour and quite a lot of textures. That stated, they aren’t pure so if you need a pure countertop, look elsewhere. However if you need a less expensive model of granite, then it’s excellent.
Wooden Counter tops
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Price: $20 to $70 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: wooden might be stained nearly any colour, however most wooden counter tops are wood-colored
Strengths: versatile, might be stained, pure, eco-friendly, distinctive
Weaknesses: wants a robust seal, not warmth or scratch resistant in any respect
Wooden counter tops are extra common than you’d assume. They’re one of many oldest kitchen counter tops choices and are nonetheless legitimate as we speak. You’ll find wooden islands and butcher blocks readily, however common wooden counter tops can be found too.
Remember that wooden can scratch, burn, and isn’t waterproof. That stated, it may be sealed to be extra sturdy. However it’ll additionally have to be changed each few years in the event you don’t just like the scratched, weathered look in your counter tops.
Concrete Counter tops
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Price: $65 to $135 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: primarily greys however might be stained
Strengths: might be custom-made, might be DIY, sturdy, warmth resistant, almost unattainable to scratch
Weaknesses: wants plenty of upkeep, want expertise to DIY
Concrete counter tops are a singular possibility that’s starting to development once more. They are often poured by knowledgeable or executed by yourself. They provide a glance between industrial and rustic, so that they mix in with any decor.
When you’ve got any expertise doing this form of building, then making your individual concrete counter tops isn’t troublesome. It’s essential to create a mould and ensure the floor is easy once you end.
Most significantly, be certain the concrete isn’t made with glass or something that may come off into meals you put together. Verify with the provider earlier than pouring the concrete to ensure it’s protected on your function.
Tile Counter tops
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Price: $25 to $120 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: any colour or sample
Strengths: warmth resistant, versatile, many supplies
Weaknesses: can crack, troublesome to put in
Tile counter tops went by means of a stage of being one of many least common kitchen counter tops choices. However over the previous few years, they’ve grown in recognition as a result of versatility and value vary.
You should use virtually any kind of tile in your counter tops. If you happen to store round a lot, you will discover an incredible deal. Or, you will discover precisely what you’re searching for as you may combine and match to search out the proper dream countertop sample.
Glass Counter tops
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Price: $65 to $140 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: typically blue or inexperienced however might be custom-made
Strengths: eco-friendly, modern
Weaknesses: laborious to maintain clear, can crack and break
Glass counter tops are available many sorts. They’re normally created from recycled supplies however might be bought in several types of slabs. Some are dearer than marble or granite, whereas others might be discovered at wonderful costs.
If you need glass counter tops instantly, count on to pay fairly a bit. Glass isn’t precisely low cost, which is why home windows and glass doorways are costly. Nonetheless, you will get them at any time, they only won’t be what you’re searching for.
Laminate Counter tops
Price: $10 to$80 per sq. foot
Colour Choices: any colour
Strengths: low cost, simple to exchange, sturdy for the price
Weaknesses: seems to be cheaper than others, can peel and be pierced
Laminate is by far the most affordable kitchen counter tops possibility. If you happen to set up it your self, which is sort of simple, it can save you some huge cash and pay subsequent to nothing on your counter tops. They’re made to imitate granite however look of decrease high quality.
Laminate is definitely one of the crucial common counter tops. It’s utilized in trailer homes, RVs, and tiny houses as a result of affordability and lightweightness. It could possibly even fold up like a murphy mattress with out changing into a hazard.
Ending Notes
Discovering counter tops is like discovering a haircut to swimsuit you. Solely you can also make the ultimate choice. You may at all times change your thoughts alter, however you could have to attend and pay fairly a bit extra. So take your time beforehand and discover that inspiration.