Stylish and Cheap Countertop Alternatives
There are many options available when it comes to countertops. The deciding factor will be your kitchen theme and your budget. The following is an over view of countertop options.
oncrete
Concrete counter top boasts texture and detailing. It is porous in nature, absorbs stains easily, and must be sealed regularly. At an inch-and-a-half thick, concrete weighs the same as a granite countertop. But, since concrete must be poured and cured prior to installation, it’s important to get it right. “The type of concrete used for countertops is highly engineered. Every fabricator has a different formula. The countertop fabricator should first template then create the countertop from a pre-cast mold in a controlled factory setting. On-site casting might result in a one-piece installation, but will require major demolition should the countertop need to be removed.
Engineered stone
Engineered stone is a quartz-composite product mixed with colored pebbles, polymers and epoxy. It has an even pattern and more color options than natural stone. if you want more counter space, it is easy to order the same pattern and shade. Engineered stone is an extremely durable product that takes the heat and resists stains. Engineered stone is one-and-a-quarter inches thick, and is installed using epoxy.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is chic, contemporary, and noted for its association with professional kitchens. It is stain resistant, and the only surface that can be safely bleached. Newer applications include brushed or textured finishes that help camouflage scratches. Welded stainless-steel sinks create an integrated look, while backsplashes with corrugated patterns create dimension. Stainless steel, when attached to a wood substrate, becomes more sound resistant. Regular rolled edges, bullnose, or Marine edges (no drip), are standard.
Stone
Natural stone needs to be seamed, is typically sealed to protect it from damage and stains. Granite is quarried worldwide, with colors and patterns that reveal the region and the geological conditions that created it. With granite, each slab is unique, with random and inconsistent patterns. Buyers may visit the fabricator to select their own slabs. Granite is graded for a host of variables including density, strength, water absorption, and acid resistance. Granite tiles are less costly but have more seams, while a 3/4-inch granite sheet can also be purchased and applied to a wood substrate for the same look at less cost and weight.
Marble is less stain-resistant and more porous than granite and it may be damaged by acidic foods. New England slate, from New York, Vermont, and Maine, is durable, non-porous, and requires no sealing.
Wood
Wood has a warm and luminous appeal for countertops and kitchens. Oak, maple, cherry, red beech, walnut, teak, and mahogany are all hardwoods favored for countertop applications. Some exported wooden countertops are built with finger-jointed construction and installed with miter-bolted seams for added durability. Wood is one of the more sanitary products for the kitchen, with inherent properties in to protect it from bacteria build-up. Maintenance is required, however, starting with regular mineral oil treatments, particularly near the sink, and extra caution with extremely hot cookware.
Solid surfacing
Solid surface countertops offer seamless acrylic faces with seams that are only visible from the underside. With solid surfacing, sink and counter materials can be integrated to create a fluid, graceful line. Solid surfaces come in a rainbow of colors, patterns, and styles, including stone and glass look-alikes. They are stain and heat resistant, with more edging and border options than natural stone. Scratches are easily softened with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad.
Laminate
Laminate countertops are economical and come in a host of colors and patterns, but they are not built to last. Laminate is not scratch or heat resistant, but it is stain resistant. Laminate is glued onto an inch-and-a-half particleboard base and can be constructed using a home store’s standard blank. Fancy edges like bevels and curves must be custom ordered. For cosmetic revamps, sheets of laminate can be glued to the existing particleboard substrate.
Ceramic tile
Ceramic tile remains a popular and economical option. It is scratch and heat resistant, but high maintenance, since the grout needs to be sealed regularly for optimal stain protection.
