New Kitchen Countertops Provide Fresh Style and Focus

Many homeowners are interested in kitchen remodeling but simply don’t have the budget for a full kitchen makeover. One of the easiest, most affordable ways to update an older kitchen is by installing new countertops. If homeowners can only afford to update one kitchen feature, new countertops are an economical remodeling choice as they provide the biggest impact for the money spent. New countertops can breathe new life into a kitchen workspace, creating a whole new color scheme and a visual focal point. There are many types of countertop surfaces from which to choose and each has unique advantages and challenges.LaminateFirst created in the 1950s, laminate countertops are made from a thin piece of laminated plastic that is adhered to a base or substrate. The substrate can be made of particle board or plywood.Laminate countertops are remarkably durable and easy to maintain, providing a beautiful surface for significantly less money than other materials. Laminate counters are considered an inexpensive way to add color and design to an outdated kitchen.Laminates are available in many solid, vivid colors and graphic patterns. Some laminates are created to resemble granite, slate, and other types of stone with rich veins that look like minerals running through the design. There are three main laminate edge styles from which to choose: straight, bevel, and post-formed. The straight edge type is also called the “self-edge,” and is the original, boxy edge first invented in the 1950s.The drawback of laminate countertops is that they’re typically not long-lasting. Laminates are not heat resistant and can scratch easily. However, they’re easy to clean with dish soap and water. Abrasive products should not be used for cleaning laminates as they can ruin surfaces.Solid SurfaceSolid surface countertops are usually made of acrylic and polyester. The acrylic in these countertops makes them very durable. The plastic used to make most solid surface countertops is easily molded into a variety of sizes and shapes.Solid surface countertops can be designed with many different patterns and colors, and like laminate countertops, solid surface countertops can be created to mimic the patterns of natural stone, such as granite. Since they are relatively non-porous, solid surface countertops will not promote mold or bacterial growth.Since solid surface countertops are created from plastic polymers, seams are melted on-site during installation to create a single large surface out of several pieces. A kitchen remodeling professional in Royal Oak can expertly install solid surface countertops.Solid surface countertops are not immune to staining and scratching. However, stain and scratch removal are relatively easy. If the countertop is the same color all the way through, scratches and stains can easily be buffed out or sanded down.Perhaps one of the greatest drawbacks to solid surface countertops is that they are generally not very heat-resistant, and will quickly burn, discolor, or warp in the presence of excessive heat. Setting a hot pan or pot on a solid surface countertop will quickly cause damage.Solid surface countertops are relatively easy to clean with traditional cleaning supplies.GraniteGranite countertops are made mostly of quartz and feldspar, but can also contain a number of other minerals, which gives each piece a unique appearance. Granite for countertops comes from quarries, and mining machines cut it into slabs of the right size.Granite is heat-resistant and doesn’t blister, making it one of the top luxury choices for counters. It’s also fairly scratch-resistant, absolutely beautiful and has a luminescent glow when polished that comes from the mineral crystals that make up the rock.The edges of granite countertops can be beveled, flat, curved, or rounded. However, it is difficult to get the edges to match perfectly and meet in the corners, and kitchen design professionals should do this delicate work, using edge-shapers to polish and cut the edges.Granite is naturally moisture-resistant, but still porous. Granite countertops can be sealed to help keep dirt away from the stone, which can cause granite to become stained or etched. A sealant will also help keep spilled liquids from soaking in and damaging the surface. To keep counters protected, a new layer of sealant should be applied periodically; the frequency of reapplication will depend on how porous the granite countertop is.Granite can be cleaned with soap and water and a soft cloth. Acidic or harsh cleansers should be avoided; they can eat away at the sealant and etch the stone. Spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid staining. If a spill has soaked into and stained the countertop, a poultice can be used to pull the stain out, but may dull the shine. A kitchen remodeling professional can apply the poultice and then re-polish the countertop.QuartzQuartz countertops combine both strength and beauty to create one of the most superior countertops available. Quartz can resist temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, but can be damaged by quick changes in temperature.Although quartz is very scratch-resistant, it can be damaged if forcefully hit with sharp objects, such as kitchen knives. Extreme pressure or blunt force should be avoided on quartz countertops, as these can chip or crack the stone.Although stain-resistant, quartz countertops are not stain-proof. Quartz will resist stains for a short period of time, but liquids spilled on them should be cleaned up promptly. Quartz countertops should be cleaned daily with a mild detergent and a soft cloth; highly acidic or alkaline cleansers should be avoided.CompositeComposite countertops are also called “engineered” countertops since they are manufactured, unlike pure natural stone that is extracted and polished. Using different types of composites and resins, composite countertops are produced across a vast price range, and can be cut and milled across a wide range of colors, hues, and grain densities.While composite countertops don’t generally outperform natural stone countertops, they come close to challenging them, and at a much lower cost. Composite countertops are impressively resistant against heat and stain, and are easier than natural stone to repair. However, their strength is not on par with natural stone; they are not immune to cracking, but if properly maintained, they can last for a very long time.Composite countertops’ inclusion of eco-friendly resins and recycled materials make them a good ecological choice.With so many different countertop surfaces available, it can be difficult to know which surface to choose. A kitchen remodeling professional in Royal Oak can help select the perfect countertop solution for any kitchen design project.