Choosing a Material for your Kitchen Worktop
Kitchen worktops come in an ever expanding selection of materials, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Whether natural or man-made, the worktop you select is an important investment that will add beauty and functionality to your kitchen for years to come.
Selecting the proper composition of worktop to meet your needs and budget is essential. Natural materials used to make kitchen worktops include: marble, granite, quartz, and wood. All of these natural materials fall within the same price range, between $50 and $100 (£31-£62); thus, the varying features will be the deciding factor between them.
Marble, while luxurious in appearance, stains and scratches more easily than other materials, deeming it a less desirable choice for kitchen use. Granite, on the other hand, is attractive, yet durable, making it a popular choice in kitchen remodeling. One downside to marble and granite is the porous nature of these stones, which require regular application of sealants.
Wood worktops add warmth to the kitchen, and while scratches can be sanded, wood needs extra maintenance, too. Quartz worktops offer durability and beauty rivaling that of granite worktops, without the added maintenance. Its non-porous quality makes quartz naturally less likely to harbor bacteria, making it the perfect surface for food preparation. Many quartz worktops contain 93 percent quartz stone mixed with binding agents and colorants, but are still considered to be a natural, eco-friendly choice.
Man-made materials, offering a wide range of color options to match any kitchen, remain an attractive option, mainly due to their low prices. Durable, non-porous laminate worktops resist stains and hide scratches, but can be marred by sharp knives and hot pans, resulting in irreversible damage.
Still, at just $25 to $50 (£16-£31) per square foot, laminate remains the top choice among homeowners. Solid surface worktops, at a price of $90 to $150 (£56-£94) share many of the benefits and drawbacks of laminate surfaces. The main advantages of solid surface worktops are the ability to sand away the damaged layer with simple abrasive cleaners. For a more durable, value-priced option, consider ceramic tile, at a cost between $10 and $30 (£6-£19) per square foot. Alternatively, if you want the trendiest, most expensive product, think stainless steel, which ranges from $100 to $200 (£62-£125).
For many homeowners, the kitchen holds great importance, likely due to the amount of time spent there, particularly when hosting guests. A room held in such high regard receives special consideration when deciding upon which materials to use. The right kitchen worktop will combine the features desired by the homeowners with a price to fit within their budget.
Selecting the proper composition of worktop to meet your needs and budget is essential. Natural materials used to make kitchen worktops include: marble, granite, quartz, and wood. All of these natural materials fall within the same price range, between $50 and $100 (£31-£62); thus, the varying features will be the deciding factor between them.
Marble, while luxurious in appearance, stains and scratches more easily than other materials, deeming it a less desirable choice for kitchen use. Granite, on the other hand, is attractive, yet durable, making it a popular choice in kitchen remodeling. One downside to marble and granite is the porous nature of these stones, which require regular application of sealants.
Wood worktops add warmth to the kitchen, and while scratches can be sanded, wood needs extra maintenance, too. Quartz worktops offer durability and beauty rivaling that of granite worktops, without the added maintenance. Its non-porous quality makes quartz naturally less likely to harbor bacteria, making it the perfect surface for food preparation. Many quartz worktops contain 93 percent quartz stone mixed with binding agents and colorants, but are still considered to be a natural, eco-friendly choice.
Man-made materials, offering a wide range of color options to match any kitchen, remain an attractive option, mainly due to their low prices. Durable, non-porous laminate worktops resist stains and hide scratches, but can be marred by sharp knives and hot pans, resulting in irreversible damage.
Still, at just $25 to $50 (£16-£31) per square foot, laminate remains the top choice among homeowners. Solid surface worktops, at a price of $90 to $150 (£56-£94) share many of the benefits and drawbacks of laminate surfaces. The main advantages of solid surface worktops are the ability to sand away the damaged layer with simple abrasive cleaners. For a more durable, value-priced option, consider ceramic tile, at a cost between $10 and $30 (£6-£19) per square foot. Alternatively, if you want the trendiest, most expensive product, think stainless steel, which ranges from $100 to $200 (£62-£125).
For many homeowners, the kitchen holds great importance, likely due to the amount of time spent there, particularly when hosting guests. A room held in such high regard receives special consideration when deciding upon which materials to use. The right kitchen worktop will combine the features desired by the homeowners with a price to fit within their budget.