Getting countertop ideas these days with the many countertop choices in materials is easy but confusing. There are many different options when it comes to kitchen countertops.  Provided below, is a list of countertop material options and we’ve also included a brief summary about each for when you’re ready for your kitchen remodel.  Each one is different and has advantages and disadvantages.

Granite is the most popular countertop material choice these days for good reason. Granite is strong, scratch resistant, heat resistant, stain resistant, and a washable type of countertop.  When you see granite you know right away it is a natural substance.  Granite is a good countertop material choice for areas that get a lot of use. It comes in many colors and variations and provides a natural stone look, Granite fabrication in Los Angeles is very popular..Granite Countertop in Los Angeles

  • Pros:  Survives spills, hot pots, knives, and more.

  • Cons:  Needs periodic sealing for stain protection. Color and grain may differ from store samples.

Quartz  is a single unified solid block.  Because the solid color runs the entire way through the counter, any sctaches or knicks can be sanded out without damage to the countertop.  These kitchen countertops are custom made for your specific remodeling project.  Solid surfacing comes in various thicknesses and can be joined almost invisibly and seamless.  It can also be sculpted to integrate the sink and backsplash.

CaesarStone An excellent choice for a contemporary look and an ideal choice for beautiful, easy-to-maintain countertops, CaesarStone is made of approximately 95% natural quartz. Both durable and practical, CaesarStone is resistant to heat, staining or scratching. With a variety of finishes and colors, CaesarStone is a great fit, and a great countertop material choice for any countertop in your home.

Kitchen Countertop

  • Pros:  No seams, in the counters, color can be custom made to match your kitchen, resistance to heat and impact, scratches and small nicks can be buffed out and repaired

  • Cons:  Solid surfacing scratches easily, and prolonged heat can cause discoloration. Cost can rival that of quartz and granite, which are much tougher and more authentic looking.

Laminates countertops actually is very cost effective, tough, and cleanable. Laminate really is a fine countertop material choice for those on a budget. This is basically a plastic-like material with a very smooth surface usually layed on top of layers of compressed plywood.  Laminates typically show seams on the front edge and between the backsplash and counter.  Laminates come in sections, a variety of colors, is long lasting and easy to clean and maintain.

  • Pros:  Resisting stains, impact, and heat. They’re easy to clean and maintain.

  • Cons:  Most versions have a colored top layer, which shows at the edges. Water can seep through seams or between the countertop and backsplash, weakening the material beneath or causing lifting. Laminate is easily scratched and nicked and can’t be repaired.

Ceramic Tile countertops are out of style because nobody likes cleaning grout joints. Tile is pretty tough but can chip, and is stain resistant aside from the grout joints.  Ceramic tile comes in an almost limitless selection of colors and patterns. It mixes nicely with other materials, and it works well on a backsplash or island tops.

  • Pros:  It offers good heat resistance, so it’s a good choice around stoves.

  • Cons:  Chip easily,  grout is likely to stain even when it’s sealed.

Marble The stone most often associated with opulent luxury, marble has been used as a finish in the most affluent homes for centuries. With an array of beautiful colors and dramatic veining, marble countertops accent almost any décor with spectacular results.

Marble Countertop Fabrication

  • Pros:  Small nicks and scratches can be polished out.

  • Cons:  Marble chips and scratches easily,  need to seal marble periodically to protect it from staining.

Travertine A beautiful naturally pitted stone formed underground near hot springs, travertine countertops evoke the feeling of antiquity. (The Roman Coliseum is constructed mostly of travertine.) Available in porous or polished finishes and in colors from gray to coral, Travertine countertops provide an elegant addition to any kitchen or bathroom.

                                                    Travertine Fabrication                                                                                

 Soapstone countertop material is bluish gray in color and very smooth.  Overtime the countertop will darken and gain richness.  This material does require some mainteneance such as, you’ll have to rub the soapstone with mineral oil to reveal and maintain its beauty.

  • Pros:  Best for adding the beauty of stone to a low-traffic kitchen. It withstands heat very well, and small scratches can be repaired.

  • Cons: Iit’s easily sliced, scratched, and nicked. Stain resistance is so-so, and it needs to be periodically rubbed with mineral oil.

Stainless Steel countertops are the countertop of choice as a material in commercial applications because they last, and are very cleanable. In residential situations stainless steel countertops would only work in certain modern designs. Stainless steel is stain resistant. It lets you integrate countertops with stainless appliances for a sleek, professional kitchen look.

Modern Kitchen Countertop

  • Pros:  Stain resistant, heat resistant, waterproof.

  • Cons:  Scratches and dents easily and shows fingerprints.

Concrete countertops are fabricated right in your kitchen and can be styled into any shape, color or pattern.  Because they are poured right in your kitchen, they will always be seamless.  Concrete of course is a strong material, but can stain. Concrete countertops can provide a unique look.

  • Pros:  Concrete can be tinted and textured and can include stone chips.

  • Cons:  It chips and scratches easily and can develop hairline cracks. Topical sealers can protect against stains but not heat; penetrating sealers can handle heat, but not stains.

There are many countertop material choices for your home remodel design.  The fun is finding the one that fits your look and lifestyle best.

 

As a Design+Build General Contractor, I offer my clients a one-stop shopping approach to all of their home remodeling projects. I work with my clients from initial conception of a project through its completion. Every aspect of the job is managed by me and my professional crew.  You will be included in every step of the design process until the final drawings are completed. No detail is left to chance.  General Contractor Specializing in Kitchen & Bathroom Design and Remodeling Throughout the Los Angeles area.

 

Free In-Home Design Consultation !

 

 

 

Written By:

 

Offer Steuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offer Steuer

 

President

 

OTM Designs & Remodeling, Inc.

 

For more information you may contact us via email at service@otm1designs.com or you may call us at 888-981-1415. Our website is www.otm1designs.com.