Kitchen is a very important part of every home, as you spend a good amount of time inside the kitchen preparing daily meals for your family and guests. The kitchen countertop is one of the most used components of your kitchen. When you redecorate your kitchen, you should definitely give careful attention to the kitchen countertop. Gone are the days of limited choices, as now you can select from hundreds of different colors and textures for your countertop. Your kitchen countertop is always exposed to heat from cooking pots, boiling water and sharp objects like knives. You should choose the material of your countertop very cautiously to ensure great looks and durability. There are many different materials like plastic laminate, natural stone, ceramic and concrete that you can choose from. In the following, you will find information about the different materials for your kitchen countertop.
Stainless steel:
You can install stainless steel sheets on top of your kitchen countertop. It looks shiny and professional. The chefs enjoy cooking on stainless steel countertops, because they are more hygienic and easy to clean. However, heavy usage may cause scratches on the stainless steel surface.
Natural stone:
Natural stones are one of the most popular materials for kitchen countertop. Generally, people use granite and soapstone in their countertops but you can also use marble, if budget is not a problem. Slate and limestone can also be used to make countertops. You will find natural stones in a great variety of colors and textures. It is very durable, heat resistant and looks lovely in all types of kitchen. On the downside, natural stone needs resealing from time to time.
Butcher Block:
The Butcher Block countertops are actually made with laminated maple wood. If you have wooden furniture in your kitchen, then you can opt for this type of countertop. One problem with Butcher Block is that it needs regular maintenance.
Laminate:
This type of countertop material is constructed by covering plywood with sheets of fabric or plastic. It is durable but you cannot put very hot pans or pots on top of it. You also cannot cut with sharp knives on top of the laminated table.
Solid surfacing countertops:
Solid surfacing countertops are made of plastic resins but looks exactly like natural stones. It is available in many different patterns and shades. It is less expensive than natural stones yet last for a long time.
Summary:
Countertops are an integral part of your kitchen. Even though there are many options available in the market, still you need to choose the right countertop that suits the décor of your kitchen and fits your budget.
