subject: kitchen countertops Guide [print this page] As indispensable to the kitchen as a workbench is to the shop, the countertop bears the brunt of the kitchen's workload. In addition to supporting the preparation and cooking of meals, the counter is also an all-purpose work surface used for scores of other daily household tasks, from brewing coffee to writing letters, from fixing appliances to sundry arts and crafts activities. It must be solid enough to stand on, easily cleaned with a damp cloth, and durable enough to look as good after 10 years as the day it was installed.
Fortunately, the technical innovations that transformed kitchen cabinetmaking in the post-war era have made this kind of performance commonplace. In particular, the perfection of plastic laminate has put attractive and resilient countertops within the reach of even the tightest of home building budgets. Solid-surface materials sold under such brand names as Corian and Avonite offer even better performance-but at a price. And there still is a place in the kitchen for natural materials like wood and stone. The guide on page 122 will help you choose the best counter surface for your kitchen; the pages that follow outline the procedures and techniques necessary to install it.
While installation methods differ somewhat among countertop materials, there are many similarities. The procedure for installing a sink in a countertop with a plastic laminate surface, for example, can be easily adapted to other countertops. One of the appeals of plastic laminate is its ease of application. The original fitting need not be painstakingly exact; once the laminate is glued in place, it can be trimmed perfectly flush with the substrate using a laminate trimmer. This custom- fitting ability is particularly useful when melding the top sheet of laminate with a contrasting edge treatment. Plastic laminate is the material used to make inexpensive, popular premolded counter tops.These countertops have the top, edge treatment, and backsplash combined in one unit, and take much of the work out of installing a countertop. Solid surface countertops are more difficult to install but the results are rewarding. The ability to mold edges and execute invisible joints and repairs has made solid-surface countertops second only to plastic laminate in popularity, despite their higher cost.
Getting all the details right is the mark of true craftsmanship, and installing a backsplash is an excellent way to add an individual touch to your kitchen. Since a backsplash does not bear as much abuse as a countertop, you have considerably more leeway when choosing the material. Wood and tile, which can be problematic as countertop surfaces, are excellent choices for backsplashes. Selecting the perfect piece of hardwood or using ceramic tiles with an antique handpainted pattern as a backsplash could be the difference that makes your kitchen unique.
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