Counter Tops
If the kitchen is the epicenter of the home, then countertops are the epicenter of the kitchen. It’s where almost every kitchen activity begins and ends. Because countertops are one of the first things you see when you enter a kitchen, they naturally serve as a focal point. And the good news is that choice of color, shape, and material is virtually unlimited, enabling homeowners and your designer not only to make countertops the functional workhorse of your new kitchen but also the ultimate expression of your design and personality.
Investing in high-quality, high-performing, statement-making countertops makes a lot of sense. Not only are countertops relied upon for meal preparation, but they are also used for cooking, eating, entertaining, doing homework, charging electronics, reading, relaxing, and spending quality family time together. In addition, countertops serve practical and aesthetic functions that can make or break a new kitchen.
What’s the best countertop for your new dream kitchen? What are the most important criteria to consider? What’s hot and what’s new? The main factors that homeowners should consider when selecting countertops for their new kitchens include:
Price
Durability
Maintenance requirements
Look and feel
Hygienic performance
For homeowners, the most important criteria are look and feel, durability, and maintenance.
White is the most popular color choice for countertops. The second most popular is multicolored countertops, followed by greens to blues, blue with gray veining, and warmer colors resemble natural stone.
Quartz is the most popular material specified for countertops and a good reason. Quartz resembles natural stone materials such as granite and marble; however, it is not porous and won’t stain, making it easy to maintain and clean. There is an almost limitless number of colors, patterns, and finishes available. With quartz, homeowners can even incorporate veins in interesting patterns to resemble marble and natural stone. Typical quartz slabs are the same thickness as granite, 3cm. However, quartz is heavier than granite and much stronger, allowing for larger tops and longer overhangs. Quartz is more expensive than laminate and solid surface materials but typically is less costly than natural stone.
Newer materials that homeowners select for their countertops include porcelain, hardwood, stainless steel, and other metals, marble, granite, glass, and terrazzo.
What’s the best countertop material for your dream kitchen? Let’s discuss the options by calling our showroom at 440-543-8050 or visit our showroom at 8454 Washington Street in Chagrin Falls!