Kitchen remodelling is a fun and exciting way of upgrading the look and utility of your kitchen – one of the most important rooms of your home. Countertops are a major part of any kitchen remodelling project, but they often go overlooked in the chaos of other things such as cabinetry, sink, lighting and plumbing. All kitchens are different depending on the lifestyle needs of the homeowners. What works for someone else may not necessarily work for your space. There are certain things to consider before choosing a good kitchen countertop worth your investment.
This post from a team of kitchen remodelling experts in Mississauga, is meant to help you select a countertop that is beautiful, durable and functional.
Assess Your Budget
The first and foremost thing you should do when choosing a kitchen countertop for your home is to evaluate your budget. Consider how much you can spend on the perfect countertop for your space and conduct thorough research to find out the best options that fit within your budget. There’s no point in you spending too much on a countertop that doesn’t provide the durability or the quality you are looking for.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Your lifestyle will no doubt have an immense impact on the kind of countertop you choose for your home: both the colour and the material. For instance, a young couple are likely to throw a lot of dinner parties or have friends over, so they will obviously be looking for something that matches the aesthetics of your home while also having the ability to make a good impression on your guests. On the other hand, if you are a part of a large family, you will most likely be preparing a lot of food in the kitchen, resulting in bigger messes which need to be cleaned up every day. This is why it is important to keep the usage of your kitchen area in mind when choosing a countertop.
Study Your Décor
Your countertops will be a dominant feature in your kitchen, which is why it is important for them to complement or match the décor of the rest of the space. A black or white granite countertop has the ability to match any décor theme or colour you may have in your kitchen. Also, both quartz and granite are available in a variety of colours. If you are thinking of installing granite countertops, think about its unique veining as this makes each slab different from the others. However, if you prefer a more uniform look, you can choose quartz countertops for their engineered quality.
Think About Cleaning
A countertop material should not be one that gets stained easily. Although granite countertops are popular for their exquisiteness since each granite slab is one of a kind, the greatest downside is that they need constant sealing to avoid stains. On the other hand, solid surfacing is comparatively easy to clean as they have a non-porous surface. Quartz countertops are also relatively easier to clean when compared to marble countertops which are very prone to staining, even after they have been sealed. For commercial kitchens, stainless steel countertops are the best option as they are the most stain resistant among other materials.
Check the Durability
One of the most important qualities of a countertop material is its ability to resist scratches. Granite countertops are known to stand up well to hot pans and sharp knives that solid and laminate surfacing cannot. Another material which is known to hold their own against both sharp objects and heat are tiles. They can also be easily replaced in case of chips or breaks of any kind. Laminate countertops are the most vulnerable to burns and scratches which is difficult to repair due to its raw particle board core.
The weight of the material you are selecting for your countertop is not something you can neglect. Laminate is a light material and doesn’t need to have very strong support whereas concrete and granite are particularly heavy and need strong support. An alternative is paper composite countertops which are sturdy while also being lighter than stone options. They are popular for being heat and water resistant, which makes them the perfect addition for busy kitchens.
Keep Your Health in Mind
Since the kitchen is an area in your house where food is prepared for the entire family, it should be free from bacteria as any form of contamination in your food may lead to illnesses in your family. This is why most homeowners prefer installing countertops without grooves as this prevents accumulation of dirt, and in turn, bacteria. Some also choose to avoid tiles for the same reason and go for solid surfacing instead. The problem can be prevented on granite and concrete by sealing but is a labour-intensive task and can be costly.
The wide range of kitchen countertops available in the market makes it impossible to choose one which meets your personal style and budget while also fits in well with the rest of your décor. If selecting a material has become a daunting task, consult professional kitchen contractors, who are trained and experienced to design your space effectively and affordably.
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