Home Improvement Blog

Are you planning on remodeling your kitchen and wondering what material should the countertop be made of?

The most popular materials used for countertops are granite, tile and marble. These natural materials are a little more expensive than laminates, but they will surely be a good investment if they are maintained well.

• Marble Counterparts. If you want a stylish kitchen and have plans for luxury home design, marble countertops will be the best choice for you, because marble is elegant, but simple. Marble was often used in royal buildings and interiors, so it’s considered to be a “noble” stone. Marble requires a lot of care, because it is a porous stone (which means that it is not resistant to staining). If you spill something on your marble countertop, you should wipe it off immediately. Also, marble is very costly.

• Granite Countertops can withstand heat very well–they are durable and resistant to scratches. They are always fashionable and beautiful. A recommended thickness for a granite countertop is 3 cm (about 1.4 inches). You can choose between polished and unpolished countertops. Polish gives a “formal” appearance and can be taken off. Unpolished countertops are more popular these days, since they are more practical. Remember that granite is a porous stone, so you should keep in mind that you will need to reseal your countertops every year. But this is not costly, and you can do it all by yourself.

• Tile Countertops. If you decide to go with the tile countertop, you’ll have a big variety to choose from. Tiles can be made of limestone, porcelain, quartz, ceramic and other nonmetallic materials. Most of them are quite durable and heat-resistant. However, you should be very careful with your tile countertop: there’s always a danger of water leaking through hairline cracks, and it can damage the substrate.

There is no such thing as a bad or a good material for a countertop. You just need to find the material that suits your wallet.

Photo: ©  granite-charlotte

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