Kitchen remodeling is quickly becoming the most common home remodeling project and a great deal of time and energy, and of course money is committed to transforming a kitchen from drab and dreary to elegant and functional. That’s why you need to know the new trends in kitchen counters.
The days of plain, fragile, boring kitchens is gone. Today consumers want durability, functionality, and luxury in their kitchens. In fact stone countertops have become the most sought after type of countertop.
Stone is not only luxurious, it offers durability, strength, the resistance to staining and it’s burn proof. A stone countertop would look great in any kitchen and today more than 30% of all kitchens have stone counters.
There are many different types of finishes available so you’ll have to consider the different thicknesses, appearances, textures, and finishes. One thing that’s for certain, there are no two stone countertops that are identical.
Granite is very popular because it is so durable and quartz is becoming even more popular because it is much cheaper and it is actually more durable. Quartz is very hard. In fact it is passed only by diamonds and sapphires so there is no worry about scratching, hot pots, or other markings. Unlike granite which needs to be resealed regularly the quartz does not.
Marble is also very popular. Its smooth vein texture makes it very popular with people who like to bake. Marble is much softer so it is susceptible to staining and scratching, and does require resealing at least twice a year, perhaps even more often.
Soapstone is thought to be the original stone countertop. Soapstone has a wonderful soft look and feel and you can get it in blue, gray, and green. It requires an application of mineral oil regularly and it is prone to scratching.
Slate is also very popular and is available in shades of black, blue, and green. Slate not only looks beautiful it is heat resistant making it a very functional kitchen choice. It however does scratch easily.
Jerusalem Stone is new to the market and has the sandy shades of limestone but it not as soft or porous. It comes from the quarries that are near Jerusalem and it is smooth like marble and durable like granite.
Natural stone can be tumbled, honed, polished, or flamed. Polished finishes are shiny giving off a deep mirror like reflection. Honed finishes have a matte look that is soft to the touch and gives a rather fuzzy reflection. A flamed finish is actually applied to the stone by exposing it to intense heat which creates a textured surface. A tumbled finish makes stone look aged.
Natural stone runs anywhere from $50 to $400 per square foot. After all quality and durability isn’t cheap. But for some that’s just a little bit out of their budget. That’s why engineered quartz is worth considering costing about half the price. DuPont, Consentino Silestone, Cambria, and Zodiaq all produce beautiful colors, textures, patterns, and finishes in the engineered quartz.
The good news is not only is it cheaper it’s as durable as natural stone and it requires less maintenance. No sealant is required, it’s almost impossible to scratch, and it is heat resistant.
Your countertops will make the most impact on your kitchen remodeling project. They will project an image of elegance and beauty while providing a durable work space. So what type of kitchen counters are for you?
