Tag Archives: natural stone countertops

Benefits of Solid Surface Countertops

While there are many countertops available on the market, solid surface countertops are slowly gaining popularity. Although they are lesser known than the natural stone countertops, availability in various colors, textures and designs is consolidating the reputation of this countertop material. Solid surface is apt for kitchen island, bathroom vanity tops, desks, showers etc. Solid surface countertops are so durable and easy-to-maintain, they are even considered for commercial kitchens.

Why solid surface countertops?

Solid surface is an amazing material for all kinds of countertops. There are many obvious reasons for choosing solid surface countertops over other countertop materials, some of them are:

Looks

Solid surface is a manmade material, so solid surface countertops are available in variety of colors, textures, styles and designs. You can opt for matte as well as polished look. One of the biggest advantages of solid surface is that they are seamless. They are manufactured in a manner to be fitted together tightly and then sanded. Thus, their seams are almost invisible. While solid surface countertops look like natural stone countertops, they are totally manmade. Thus, homeowners who are specific about natural stone countertop should keep this fact in mind.

Durability and Maintenance

Solid surface countertops are quite durable. They can bear the load and stress of heavy kitchen utensils. Unlike natural stone countertops, they are repairable. It means the chips, cracks and scratches can be repaired. Other aspects of solid surface countertops durability, include:

Easy to clean
Low maintenance
Will not stain easily
Can be repaired

These countertops are made from synthetics that can be repaired at lower cost. This makes solid surface countertops a long lasting surface. With proper care and maintenance, it is possible to make them last lifetime.

Cost

Cost is one of the major reasons behind the increasing popularity of solid surface countertops. Though this countertop can look and feel like the natural stone countertops, they are a way cheaper than granite and marble countertops.

So, these are some amazing features of solid stone countertops. No matter which countertop material you opt for, make sure to purchase your countertop from the best kitchen countertop company.

Countertops and the Environment

Choosing a kitchen or bathroom countertop is often about aesthetic value, durability and of course the price. However, these are not the only aspects that you should consider. A socially responsible homeowner should consider the impact of the countertop material on the environment and health. There are some countertop materials which are environmentally friendly while some materials are not safe for the environment. It is your responsibility to not to promote the use of materials that are dangerous to environment.

Choosing the environmentally friendly countertops

If you think that environmentally friendly countertop materials will not look good or will be expensive or will require more maintenance, then you are wrong. There are fantastic countertop materials which are not only environmentally friendly, but also fulfill needs and requirements of homeowners.

Natural stone countertops

Marble and granite are the most popular countertop materials. The good thing about these natural stones is that they are environmentally friendly. These countertop surfaces last for long period of time and are fully recyclable. However, process and transportation of these countertops requires a lot of energy, which is a big toll on environment.

Engineered quartz countertops

Engineered quartz is a manmade countertop material which consists of 90% quartz. This material utilizes polyester resin and pigments to get colors. The impact of quartz on environmental is low, as the raw materials are locally sourced, and fabrication also done locally. Thus, this manmade countertop is quite good in terms of environment friendliness.

Concrete countertops

Many homeowners think of concrete as a standard dray material, but painted concrete countertops are actually beautiful. Concrete is a good countertops material due to its to heat and scratch resistant quality. Manufacturing cement needs considerable energy and the concrete countertop processing create a lot more pollution than most countertop materials. The processing of the concrete countertop is not good for environment.

Wood countertops

Wood countertops are aesthetically pleasing. While cutting down trees may appear not safe for environment, but most wood countertops come from forests and made from fast growing tree species such as bamboo. Bamboo countertops are one of the most environmentally friendly countertops. However, their transportation is a big toll on the environment.

The Kitchen Countertop Selection Guide

The countertop acts as workbench for kitchen. It is more functional than decorative. Along with beauty, you should consider durability, maintainability, heat resistant capacity, scratch resistant capacity and strength of the countertop material. A wide range of kitchen countertop material choices are available on the market. You will find many countertop materials to choose from that suit your taste and style. The best material is one that fulfills performance standards, available within budget and looks beautiful.

Things to know before choosing countertop surface

Countertop selection is one of the important parts of the kitchen remodeling. In spite of the wide range of options available, it is important to thoroughly observe every material. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is mandatory to determine your needs, requirements and budget before opting for any countertop material. Spare sometime and check out the following aspects of countertop material before making your decision:

Check both look and feel of the countertop material
Think about practicality and maintainability of the selected material
Analyze the long term durability of the material
Ascertain about the environmental friendliness of the material
Check if material require sealing

Types of kitchen countertops

Laminate Countertops

These are affordable and low-maintenance countertop surfaces. Although they do not offer heat resistance, get scratched and chipped easily, they are available in many colors and textures. If you are not going to use your countertop for heavy duty work, you can think about installing laminate countertops.

Solid Surface countertops

Solid surface countertops are basically plastic. They offer renewable surface. The cuts and scratches can be blended. This surface allows you to use of integrated sinks. Solid surface countertops are non-porous and do not contain any visible seam. You can get fully customized solid surface countertop.

Natural Stone Countertops

90 % homeowners opt for the natural stone countertops for their kitchens and bathrooms. Natural stones such as marble, granite, soapstone and gemstone offer amazing countertop surface. These countertops inherit the beauty of the stone from which they are made. These countertops are scratch and heat tolerant. Natural stone countertops lasts lifetime, if maintained properly. However, you should purchase natural stone countertops from reputable and trustworthy kitchen countertop company to get genuine product.

The Secret to Getting Great Kitchen Counters

You can find plenty of kitchen counter surfaces these days. Each material has its own pros and cons. However, the latest trend is stone, stone, and more stone. There are countless choices in stone countertops and all of them are exceptionally durable. Thus, if you are looking for great kitchen countertop, then explore a number of options available in the market.

Kitchen countertop options

When it comes to kitchen countertop surface, no other material can beat the stones. The biggest advantage of stone counters is that they can bear heat, wear and tear, stress, and spills without complaining. On the dark side, stone countertops are cold, expensive and tough on glassware. Check out the below mentioned kitchen countertop options to know which surface full fills the needs and requirements of your kitchen.

Engineered stone countertops

This type of countertop surfaces combines the colorful palette of solid surfaces and durability of granite. Engineered stone countertops are good for homeowners who want the look and feel of stone. A lot of color options and textures are available in the engineered stone countertops. The benefits of engineered countertops can be stated as-

Engineered stones are aesthetically pleasing.
Engineered stones remain unfazed by heat.
Engineered stones countertops have very good scratch-resistant property.
Engineered stones do not get affected by everyday spills.

Natural stone countertops

Natural stone countertop materials like slate, limestone marble and granite makes an incredible style statement. These counter surfaces come in a variety of grains, colors, textures and finishes that means it go with any design scheme.

Every natural stone has its own benefits. Granite has wonderful heat resistant quality. Marble and limestone provide perfect finishing and are cheaper as compared to granite countertops.

Concrete countertops

Concrete emerged out as a new trend in kitchen countertops. You can paint concrete countertops in any desired color, even embed stones, beads, jewels, and fossils. However, concrete countertops easily develop cracks and stains.

Stainless steel countertops

This countertop material can withstand all abuse without discoloring or rusting. Stainless steel countertops are really very easy to maintain and they keep their luster for years.

So, these are the popular countertop choices trending in the kitchen décor trends. No matter which countertop material you choose, do select apt granite countertop company for hassle free installation.

Countertop solution and ideas!

Better than anything: Granite countertops

If you have been following any latest home designing trend, then you surely know that natural stone countertops are the most preferred and talked about item in the market. And the most popular amongst these countertops is the granite countertops. They are durable as well as elegant. All these characteristic traits increases the appeal of granite countertop and it can often without delay double the beauty of your bathroom or kitchen. The granite countertops not only have a chic status, they also have a lot of other realistic benefits. They are stain resistant, heat resistant, and durable which means if you use countertop appropriately, they will never crack or peel.

Budget friendly countertop

Whether your budget is tight or you are just a frugal soul, you are surely looking out for cost-effective countertop materials, when it is the time to upgrade your kitchen. You will be really happy to learn about some budget friend granite countertops. For your happiness below information will let you know about economical yet beautiful granite countertops! Have a look:

#1: Versatile Laminate Granite Countertops: These economical countertops are tough, water resistant and easy to clean as well as install. Laminates are available in a number of finishes and color options. It can be fabricated in various edges, but please do keep it in mind the simple the rim the less expensive the countertop. The DIY installation can prove out to be hectic with these laminated granite countertops so it’s better that you hire professionals for the countertop installation.

#2: Granite tiles: If you like the rollicking retro or the rich earthy appearance, then you might have found what you are looking for in the granite tile aisles. For much better look you can combine the Granite tiles with the Ceramic tiles to form a desired countertop. Both the Granite and ceramic tiles are durable and long lasting and above all, they are cost efficient.

These are two cost effective granite countertops available in the market which can help you to renovate the kitchen at a reasonable price. So, if you have got a desire for granite countertops installation, but cannot rationalize the cost, you can take granite tiled countertops or Versatile Laminate Granite Countertops into your consideration.