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Comparing Countertops For Durability Countertops can influence the total design of your kitchen.
One of the most common reasons home owners remodel their kitchen is due to lack of usable counter space.
Choosing the right one now can save you alot of money in the future.
Compare Kitchen Countertops
1. Laminate - Some good things about laminates are you can install them yourself, they are inexpensive, they are low maintenance, and you can find them in all kinds of colors. On the other hand, you need to be careful with knives and hot pans because once a laminate countertop is damaged it is almost impossible to repair. 2. Ceramic Tile - These can also be easily installed and they come in lots of colors and patterns, they are heat resistant, and easy to clean. But ceramic tile can be a tough surface to chop on and they can crack or chip. 3. Stone - These are very durable, look great, and the granite ones also clean up quite easily. On the down side you must regularly seal and polish them so they look good, and if your stone countertop is made of marble you need to be extra careful because of staining. 4. Stainless Steel - Stains are not a problem and they can take high temperatures without damage. But you have to take some care when installing stainless steel because if they are not extremely well supported they can dent. They also are prone to showing scratches and nicks.
5. Butcher Block - They give your kitchen that warm feeling that only wood can give, your knives won't dull, and you can smooth out any scratches with sandpaper. On the other hand you must use vegetable oil regularly to treat the wood and keep it looking good. Also too much water exposure can stain and rot the counter. 6. Solid Surface - Lots of plus's here, you can find a ton of patterns and colors and some styles look like granite or other stone choices, it is very durable, easy to clean, and with this type you can easily install custom integrated sinks. But you will need a licensed contractor to install this type of or you will void the warranty and you must be careful with your hot pots and pans. 7. Soapstone - These are very beautiful and they don't stain. Hot pans are also not a problem. You do need to seal them with mineral oil quite often, and they are more likely to be scratched than granite. 8. Lavastone - Awesome , they can resist water damage, scratches, and hot pans superbly. But lavastone can be hard to find and they are very expensive. So now that you know a little more about the kitchen materials it should be easier to narrow down your choices.
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