How do you Choose the Best Countertops?
Yes, I know this is an open ended question... It all depends on the questions your Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer will ask when it comes to replacing your countertops. For example, what room will you be replacing the countertop in? Is this a high traffic area like a kitchen or does it get used occasionally as a powder bathroom?
If it’s the powder bathroom, you could do a remanent (a piece of countertop that was not entirely used and goes into the stockpiles) because this will be less expensive than purchasing an entire slab. Since it’s a powder bathroom, a soapstone will be amazing. It’s a beautiful natural stone that has impervious qualities. It has been used to fabricate chem lab tops due to its inert capacities towards acids, chemicals, and heat. Basically, it will not stain, burn, or be harmed by acids. So “Why am I putting it in a powder bathroom instead of the kitchen?”, you may ask. Soapstone is a soft material and yes, it has amazing impervious qualities, but you will still see fingerprints on it if you do not oil it daily. Oiling it will then make it appear darker, but it will keep you from seeing fingerprints. Also, if you have sweaty hands like me (design school was lots of gloves to not ruin my drawings 😊), you will see sweat stains from them. A lot of my clients (past & present) like to have things look the same as when we installed it. They do not want to see it “aged” so to speak.
Let’s go back to the kitchen countertop now… You are probably thinking, “Why do so many homeowners chose quartz over granite? I love my granite countertop.” The reason is maintenance and time. Did you know with a granite countertop you will have to re-seal it? When you ask? It depends on the granite. You will know when it stops beading up around the sink area; like when you get your car waxed. How everything just slides off it. The person installing the countertop will usually provide you a sample or provide you a sheet indicating what product to use when it comes to resealing. It is very simple process: you wipe it on and wipe it off. The other reason is you will need to select or pick out your granite slabs. This is where the time comes into play. Granite is a natural stone so the little sample you receive might be just a slight portion of the actual granite slab that has tons of movement in it. Most homeowners select 2-3 slabs for their kitchen countertops. With quartz, you do not need to seal it nor do you need to select your slabs. That is why it is so popular.
My mom just asked me about countertops. She wants to know what the best countertop will be for their kitchen. I told her it will be Corian, or a Solid Surface. This is based on a number of reasons. First, neither she nor my dad like the countertop cold to the touch. Secondly, my dad is not gentle when it comes to putting down his cups/glasses. My mom is afraid he will break the coffee mug. Thirdly, my mom cannot stand the dirt collecting around the rim on her undermount stainless steel sink. I told her with Corian you can get a seamless integrated sink which will prevent the dirt from collecting.
How about you? Are you ready for a countertop change? Do you know what you want or are you still researching? Whichever you decide, please, remember to hire a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer. They are professionals with knowledge and understanding of the many countertop choices for your kitchen or bathroom. They will be asking you the right questions to come up with the best solution for your countertop project.
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