subject: Choosing The Right Countertop For Your Kitchen Remodeling Project [print this page] Choosing The Right Countertop For Your Kitchen Remodeling Project
When starting a kitchen remodeling project, clients can become overwhelmed with the vast array of countertop products that are offered. Depending upon the look that the client is trying achieve, utilizing a beautiful, high-quality countertop surface can complete a very attractive design. Designers can use laminate, solid surface, granite, as well as several other materials.
Laminate countertops are a synthetic product comprised mostly of plastic that is heat-glued on top of a wood base. The laminate material is made by several different producers, such as Wilsonart, Formica and Pionite. These tops are manufactured-to-fit, can have loose or one-piece backsplashes and come with a wide variety of edge profiles.
One of this countertop style's greatest strengths is its cost-effectiveness. However, laminate tops are not as water, scratch and stain-resistant as many other materials, which should be taken into account in the decision process.
Plastic countertop materials are also available in solid surface form. These tops are constructed from select plastic compounds and are molded-to-fit any scenario. Because solid surface countertops are molded, they can offer clients a seamless look throughout the kitchen and bath, including leak-proof sink applications. Like their laminate counterparts, these tops are available from a wide variety of manufacturers and in a huge selection of colors. Although solid surface tops are prone to losing their sheen over time, they do have the added benefit of being able to be re-sanded and re-polished to replenish their finish.
If a client is looking for a cleaner, more natural look, granite countertops just might be the answer. Granite tops are made from stone, likely pulled out from a mountainside, and can be collected from all over the world. Raw material is shipped to the manufacturer in very large slabs, which can be cut into a few different thicknesses. For any project, the three-centimeter thickness will always outlast the thinner options that some dealers offer.
Once a slab is selected by the homeowner, it is cut into pieces and polished to a high gloss. For shipping and installation purposes, most granite countertops will have seams in the final application. Very attractive, stainless-steel, under-mount sinks can add the final touch to a beautiful remodel project. Maintenance is a concern for granite tops. If the initial baked-in sealer is not an option for a client due to cost increases, annual sealing is strongly encouraged to help with stain and mold resistance.
Whichever countertop material is selected by a remodeling client, the most important aspect of the project is undoubtedly the installation. Finding a trusted, licensed installer will ensure that the countertops will be leveled and secured, with any and all safety measures taken into account for years to come.
