Although appearance is important when it comes to kitchen countertops, there are a variety of things to consider besides color and texture. In addition to how your countertops look, you’ll want to make good decisions about material (durability and maintenance), and cost.
If you’re designing a new kitchen and have questions about countertops, stop in at Atherton Appliance & Kitchens. Atherton offers professional design services that are informative, enjoyable and educational. Best of all, our design services are free. Our staff will even provide extensive three-dimensional drawings and graphic illustrations to help you envision your kitchen.
What do our experts think about when it comes to countertops?
One of the first things to consider is how much use -- and what type of use -- the countertops will see. Families with children might skip white granite, for example, because they’ll likely be dealing with more spills. A homeowner who doesn’t pay much attention to maintenance might skip wood countertops, which need to be oiled frequently in order to seal them against water.
Following is a list of countertop materials that we recommend in our showroom. We can help you decide on what’s best for you based on your kitchen design and family’s cooking habits.
Granite: Granite is the most popular choice for countertops; it has been used for centuries and is both durable and beautiful. Granite is available in colors ranging from blacks to whites and greens, and no two pieces of granite are exactly alike. Created as liquid magma in the Earth's core millions of years ago, granite was exposed to heat and pressure over time. This process created the attractive color combinations and patterns granite is known for, as well as its structural integrity. The shiny look of polished granite, which often darkens its appearance, is sleek, modern and professional. Honing, on the other hand, is soft and matte.
Granite has a reputation for being costly, but costs depend on many variables, including color, finish and origin of the stone. Although engineered stone countertops come in a wider variety of colors than natural stone countertops, can be more durable and are easy to maintain, they won't save any money over granite: the two materials are similar in price.
CaesarStone®: CaesarStone is an engineered, quartz-based surface manufactured through a highly advanced process. This material’s unique characteristics include strength and an usual combination of hardness and flexibility, making it more suitable than any other solid surface or natural stone for a wide range of domestic, commercial and industrial applications. CaesarStone is the material of choice for the top architects and designers in the building industry.
Corian®: DuPont created this solid surface category more than 30 years ago. An advanced blend of natural materials and pure acrylic polymer, Corian has earned trust and respect for its versatility, long-term performance and value. Thanks to a unique balance of beauty and performance, Corian lends itself to imaginative uses, innovative interpretations and enduring applications.
Wood: Wood countertops, like those produced by SPEKVA, warm up the ambiance of any kitchen. Wood is easy to clean, and scratches can be sanded out. As mentioned at the beginning of this post, wood countertops must be oiled frequently to protect them from water damage and other spills.
Zodiaq®: Zodiaq is a relatively new category of surfacing material for horizontal and vertical applications, again produced by DuPont. Cool, tranquil and sparkling, Zodiaq is composed mostly of quartz, so it offers exceptional toughness and hardness while reflecting light for a spectacular look. This material is consistent in color and is dense and nonporous, with no sealing required.
Other options for countertops include concrete, which is available in a number of finishes ranging from smooth to ground or pressed, and laminate, the most affordable countertop material on the market.
Some other things to consider when you’re thinking about countertops: Square or decorative edges? Should you mix and match surfaces? Stop by and talk to one of our experienced designers. We’ll be happy to help you sort out these issues, and to answer any questions you might have.