I was aiding my little girl having her kitchen remodelled recently. She was having troubles attempting to select a brand-new counter top material. Walking through the counters location in Residence Depot provided her a few ideas, but she was still uncertain when the moment concerned choose a month later. I determined to draw up a quick contrast of all the products as well as costs for her and also when I was done I believed other people could discover it helpful too, so right here goes.
Most people know with laminate counter tops. (Formica is one brand name.) They're a slim surface of high-pressure laminate related to a thicker base of plywood or particleboard. Pluses: The standby, readily available in actually hundreds of patterns and also shades, laminates are the least expensive (next to floor tile) as well as sturdy, needing much less upkeep than floor tile. Minuses: Easy to burn with warm pots and pans, making use of layers in their building makes it complicated to repair chips, reveal scrapes, especially lighter shades, so not useful as a cutting surface area. Much less durable than natural rock or solid surface area; use with under install sinks is not advised. Cost: $25 to $50 foot
Solid emerging, (trademark name Corian, Fountainhead, Avonite and Surrell) a newer kitchen counter product, is durable as well as simulates the look of all-natural stone materials like marble or granite. Pluses: Provides seamless surface areas, very easy to look after. High impact resistance, easily repaired, nonporous as well as seamless, so won't trap dirt, gather microorganisms or tarnish; conveniently. Minuses: Might thaw from warm pot; looks non-natural in some color pattern, accredited contractor required for installation and repair work. Cost: $60 to $110 per foot
Natural woods. Made use of in butcher-block design setup. Maple, oak and also various other woods, make long lasting as well as stylish counter tops. Pluses: Good surface area for reducing foods; scrapes quickly repaired by fining sand; very easy suit with wood cabinets and also floorings. Minuses: Needs a surface to preserve look, might burn with hot cookware, permits bacterial growth, so requires routine cleaning. Not sensible for whole countertop-- helpful for tiny sections. Cost: $50 to $75 per foot.
Granite. Popular for their classy as well as rich appearance, natural rock counter tops will certainly last longer than most cooking areas. Pluses: Includes in value of residence, difficult durable surface area, really heat resistant. Minuses: extremely costly, needs care considering that it is porous and also must be secured periodically, grease will certainly stain. Price: 60 to $200 per foot for granite $60 to $130 per foot for marble (stains quickly and also not suggested for food preparation countertop).
Ceramic or Porcelain Ceramic Tile: This is the kitchen counter material my child was changing. While the counters were in quite negative form, refurbishing was a choice. Floor tile has a comforting, traditional appearance and also is low-cost. Ands also: Easy to clean up after a mess. Much more warm immune than laminates strong surface areas, affordable, unless you are considering personalized or hand-painted tiles. Minuses: Can chip and fracture quickly; demands normal upkeep to maintain microorganisms out of cement. Scrubbing grout. Cost: $10 to $25 per foot.
So, what countertop material did she choose ultimately? For it's reasonable cost and also reparability, Corian got approval for the brand-new kitchen. We found a color that was very near to a granite look as well as we also suched as the 10 years service warranty.