Posted on March 25, 2008 in Latest News
Planning to change your kitchen countertop??? Confused about the aspects and things to consider before selecting kitchen countertops?? Then here is a complete solution for your confusion.
Before deciding new kitchen countertop for your kitchen renovation there are many things you need to keep in mind. Initially you need to look for the appearance of the countertop according to your idea of renovation. Then comes in consideration its use and cost. All these factors are to be considered before making a final decision.
Laminate Kitchen Countertop:
If you are looking for affordable countertops then laminates are the best type. The price ranges between $10-$40/sq.foot. If you are looking for durability then laminates are not good for long run. But they are easy to install, fairly cheap to replace. Remember that they will show signs of wear and tear pretty soon.
Laminates come under wide range of textures and colors. You will also find laminates with attributes like easy to clean or stain resistant. Replacing your countertop with laminates can be done in a weekend. It is better to replace the underneath plywood also rather than preparing or repairing the old plywood.
Ceramic Tile Kitchen Countertop:
You can replace your old kitchen countertop with ceramic tile countertop. Even this option is affordable; it will cost you about $50/sq.foot. Ceramic tiles are easy to install as a new countertop but if you are trying to repair or replace then you might face some challenges. Removing old glued tiles from your countertop would be a difficult task.
The biggest challenge faced by ceramic tile kitchen countertop is cleaning grout. As compared to laminates they are durable but tiles might seldom crack. And in case they crack it is difficult to replace hence they develop an old and shabby look. But ceramic tiles are highly resistant to staining, heat and scratching and easy to clean. If cared properly then they can last for lifetime.
Styled Concrete Kitchen Countertop:
Styled concrete kitchen countertops are latest and highly used kitchen countertops. The cost for this kitchen countertop comes around to be $50/sq.foot. These countertops are highly heat resistant and have a wide range of colors. To install this kitchen countertop it is advised to take a professional help. Styled countertops are usually heavy and need to be sealed before you use the countertop. It takes considerably more time to dry.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Countertop:
If you can spend a little more then you can get a stainless steel kitchen countertop. It would cost you around $50-$65/sq.foot. It is easy to clean to the surface but with time you will observe scratches and finally it will look splotchy.
Engineered Stone Kitchen Countertop:
This tip of kitchen countertops is the best example of traditional looks and modern technology. The cost is affordable approximately $50/sq.foot. You can select stone according to your imagination. This kitchen countertop is highly heat resistant and durable. Other great point about this material is that it doesn’t require regular sealing. It is easy to install this countertop but it is better to take professional help.
Marble Kitchen Countertop:
Since years marble kitchen countertops are considered to be one of the best options. Although you might find it expensive, it will be costing you around $75/sq.foot. Marble kitchen countertops last for a longer time if sealed regularly. There is a wide range of colors and patterns available from which you can select.
Granite Kitchen Countertop:
One of the best materials for kitchen countertops is granite. But it is highly expensive ranging between $80-$90/sq.foot. Even they need to be sealed regularly otherwise it will absorb materials causing stain. None of the material can beat granite in durability and looks. You need to take professional help to install granite kitchen countertop.
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March 25th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I did not realize how many kitchen countertop options there were! Thank you for the information.