The Many Choices for Countertops
In keeping with the custom kitchen discussion, the next big question turns to countertops. What kind and how much? It is difficult to make the choice with so many selections on the market; most of the time it simply comes down to budget. The many options out there - granite, solid surfacing, quartz stone, wood, concrete, marble (although not recommended for kitchens), lavastone, soapstone, stainless steel, tile, laminate and probably a few I'm neglecting to mention - all have pros and cons.
Granite
One of the classics. Everyone wants granite right now. Granite, being a natural stone, has an inherent visual warmth, but depending on your current countertops, there are things to know. First, and one of the comments I get back from clients the most, is the surface is really hard. Going from a softer countertop (say laminate or solid surfacing), you will immediately learn to be a little more ginger with your plateware, especially the first time you break something by setting it down a little too hard.
Granite ranges in cost with a local granite (by local I mean the "Texas pink" you see) and starts somewhere around $55-70 square foot depending on the fabricator. Granite is measured in centimeters. Depending on your fabricator, who you typically purchase from, the slabs should be approx. 1" to 1-1/4"; don't waste your time on anything less. With imported granites, the cost escalates, anywhere from $85-$200 sqare foot.
Edge detail is another area I get picky. There are a limited number of fabricators who will do a custom edge, or a laminated edge. This is an edge created by taking two similar or distinct pieces and gluing them together to make a nice, stately edge. It isn't for everyone. Costs can range from $20-65 per linear foot depending on the edge treatment, but the effect is wonderful. You can see some nice detail work by clicking here. As for color, Cold Spring Granite has a nice viewing of color.
I see many articles and discussions on care. The thing to remember with granite is to stay away from acids and rough abrasives. There are many items on the market to clean granite, but a little water goes a long way. Be sure to seal the granite, or have it sealed, once a year, and should you get stains, there is always a pumice which can be made to remove them.
Solid Surfacing
Solid surfacing goes by many names and brands. Probably the most noted one is Corian. Following that seems to be Gibralter, WilsonArt has three (Gibralter, Renaissance & Earthstone), Avonite, and the list goes on. Basic white or tan solid surfacing can be purchased and installed in the low $40-per square foot range, but if you want a nicer, colorful, stone-looking solid surfacing the price goes up and can easily rival a basic granite.
Solid surfacing has some aesthetic advantages over granite, one being "seaming." While even the most carefully planned granite installation will have an occasional seam in the countertop, an experienced installer can make a solid surface seam practially disappear. Repairs are also easier and seamless, although granite chips can be repaired. Solid surfacing is not as cool to the touch. Granites and stones can be quite cool to the touch. Care needs to be taken for certain areas, and hot plates are a must. Opening a hot dishwasher and releasing fresh steam underneath the surface has been known to misshapen a few tops in the past. A heat tape placed along the edge will take care of this.
Quartzstone, Lavastone & Soapstone
You will find these under the names of Cambria, Silestone, Soapstone, Pyrolave, and many others. Quartzstone products are pieces of quartz mixed with a binder and placed under enormous compression to mold the mixture into counter slabs. They have superior qualities in the way of stain resistance as they are non-porous, but typically look more like the old terrazzo floors of your junior high and high school. Cambria has done a finer job, however, with the color issue.
Lavastone is a core stone with a baked-on glazed enamel finish, and is used in laboratory and airport settings where high abusive traffic puts it to the test. I always say anything they can land a plane on, must be good! Pyrolave shows kitchen countertops on their website, but the application seems better suited to contemporary interiors. Soapstone countertops are a natural quarried stone, completely non-porous and extremely dense. They naturally resist bacteria and stains without having to apply a sealer. The stone has an inherent honed effect, therefore, if you want a sparking countertop, this stone may not be for you. It is very resistant to heat, but will scratch if you cut on it. These stones range in cost from an average of $45-50 sq. ft. to more than $100 depending on the design and properties.
Concrete
Concrete countertops are a current rage just as stained concrete floors. The care for concrete countertops, however, makes it an impractical choice for many. Concrete needs to be sealed and kept clean at all times. It is durable in the sense that hot objects can be placed on it, and cutting on it is fine, but stains penetrate easily and stay. Concrete countertops can range from about $35 to $75 per square foot depending on the finishes, edges, fabricator, and configurations. Most of the cost is in the labor for moulding these tops.
Marble
Many people use marble as kitchen countertops, but like concrete, it absorbs many stains and is a constant worry to the homeowner. Anyone with children who finds themselves with peanut butter and jelly stains on a marble countertop can attest to the constant level of care it takes to keep it looking fresh. Marble rivals granite in cost.
Stainless Steel & Copper
Most notably used in contemporary kitchens, these metals are durable, stain and bacteria resistant and practically indestructible. However, scratching in a problem, although a #0000 steel wool pad will become your best friend. Stainless and copper are both cold to the touch which can also be a factor in choice, either for or against, but the sleek sophistication is extremely complementary to the lines, lighting and finishes associated with the contemporary kitchen.
Wood
Wood countertops are wonderful in a rustic or earthy kitchen interior where hickory, cherry or oak are used. Some tops lend themselves to cutting board functions, while others are reminiscent of grand bakers kitchens. Edge detailing with large ogee edges will accentuate the beauty of the top. These tops range in cost from $20-50 per square foot depending on species and the fabricator and require periodic oiling with mineral oil or tung oil to maintain their finish.
Tile
Tile has one big drawback where countertops are concerned and it is called "grout." Depending on budget, one can look at granite, marble, ceramic or porcelain as a countertop option. Many homeowners want the look of granite, but find granite tile to be a more cost effective option. As long as the grout is kept clean and sealed, as well as the surface itself, tile can complement many interior styles quite successfully, as a countertop option. Costs can range from $10-$30 per square foot installed which makes it affordable for many homeowners.
Laminate
Not a big fan of the stuff, I must say, but printing processes have helped laminate make a comeback. There are artistic laminates for contemporary kitchens which can be printed with any background image. WilsonArt & Nevamar also make a nice array of laminate products to complement traditional and transitional kitchen architecture, while Abet Laminati even has one that glows in the dark. This one could be quite useful for midnight snack attacks!
Granite
One of the classics. Everyone wants granite right now. Granite, being a natural stone, has an inherent visual warmth, but depending on your current countertops, there are things to know. First, and one of the comments I get back from clients the most, is the surface is really hard. Going from a softer countertop (say laminate or solid surfacing), you will immediately learn to be a little more ginger with your plateware, especially the first time you break something by setting it down a little too hard.
Granite ranges in cost with a local granite (by local I mean the "Texas pink" you see) and starts somewhere around $55-70 square foot depending on the fabricator. Granite is measured in centimeters. Depending on your fabricator, who you typically purchase from, the slabs should be approx. 1" to 1-1/4"; don't waste your time on anything less. With imported granites, the cost escalates, anywhere from $85-$200 sqare foot.
Edge detail is another area I get picky. There are a limited number of fabricators who will do a custom edge, or a laminated edge. This is an edge created by taking two similar or distinct pieces and gluing them together to make a nice, stately edge. It isn't for everyone. Costs can range from $20-65 per linear foot depending on the edge treatment, but the effect is wonderful. You can see some nice detail work by clicking here. As for color, Cold Spring Granite has a nice viewing of color.
I see many articles and discussions on care. The thing to remember with granite is to stay away from acids and rough abrasives. There are many items on the market to clean granite, but a little water goes a long way. Be sure to seal the granite, or have it sealed, once a year, and should you get stains, there is always a pumice which can be made to remove them.
Solid Surfacing
Solid surfacing goes by many names and brands. Probably the most noted one is Corian. Following that seems to be Gibralter, WilsonArt has three (Gibralter, Renaissance & Earthstone), Avonite, and the list goes on. Basic white or tan solid surfacing can be purchased and installed in the low $40-per square foot range, but if you want a nicer, colorful, stone-looking solid surfacing the price goes up and can easily rival a basic granite.
Solid surfacing has some aesthetic advantages over granite, one being "seaming." While even the most carefully planned granite installation will have an occasional seam in the countertop, an experienced installer can make a solid surface seam practially disappear. Repairs are also easier and seamless, although granite chips can be repaired. Solid surfacing is not as cool to the touch. Granites and stones can be quite cool to the touch. Care needs to be taken for certain areas, and hot plates are a must. Opening a hot dishwasher and releasing fresh steam underneath the surface has been known to misshapen a few tops in the past. A heat tape placed along the edge will take care of this.
Quartzstone, Lavastone & Soapstone
You will find these under the names of Cambria, Silestone, Soapstone, Pyrolave, and many others. Quartzstone products are pieces of quartz mixed with a binder and placed under enormous compression to mold the mixture into counter slabs. They have superior qualities in the way of stain resistance as they are non-porous, but typically look more like the old terrazzo floors of your junior high and high school. Cambria has done a finer job, however, with the color issue.
Lavastone is a core stone with a baked-on glazed enamel finish, and is used in laboratory and airport settings where high abusive traffic puts it to the test. I always say anything they can land a plane on, must be good! Pyrolave shows kitchen countertops on their website, but the application seems better suited to contemporary interiors. Soapstone countertops are a natural quarried stone, completely non-porous and extremely dense. They naturally resist bacteria and stains without having to apply a sealer. The stone has an inherent honed effect, therefore, if you want a sparking countertop, this stone may not be for you. It is very resistant to heat, but will scratch if you cut on it. These stones range in cost from an average of $45-50 sq. ft. to more than $100 depending on the design and properties.
Concrete
Concrete countertops are a current rage just as stained concrete floors. The care for concrete countertops, however, makes it an impractical choice for many. Concrete needs to be sealed and kept clean at all times. It is durable in the sense that hot objects can be placed on it, and cutting on it is fine, but stains penetrate easily and stay. Concrete countertops can range from about $35 to $75 per square foot depending on the finishes, edges, fabricator, and configurations. Most of the cost is in the labor for moulding these tops.
Marble
Many people use marble as kitchen countertops, but like concrete, it absorbs many stains and is a constant worry to the homeowner. Anyone with children who finds themselves with peanut butter and jelly stains on a marble countertop can attest to the constant level of care it takes to keep it looking fresh. Marble rivals granite in cost.
Stainless Steel & Copper
Most notably used in contemporary kitchens, these metals are durable, stain and bacteria resistant and practically indestructible. However, scratching in a problem, although a #0000 steel wool pad will become your best friend. Stainless and copper are both cold to the touch which can also be a factor in choice, either for or against, but the sleek sophistication is extremely complementary to the lines, lighting and finishes associated with the contemporary kitchen.
Wood
Wood countertops are wonderful in a rustic or earthy kitchen interior where hickory, cherry or oak are used. Some tops lend themselves to cutting board functions, while others are reminiscent of grand bakers kitchens. Edge detailing with large ogee edges will accentuate the beauty of the top. These tops range in cost from $20-50 per square foot depending on species and the fabricator and require periodic oiling with mineral oil or tung oil to maintain their finish.
Tile
Tile has one big drawback where countertops are concerned and it is called "grout." Depending on budget, one can look at granite, marble, ceramic or porcelain as a countertop option. Many homeowners want the look of granite, but find granite tile to be a more cost effective option. As long as the grout is kept clean and sealed, as well as the surface itself, tile can complement many interior styles quite successfully, as a countertop option. Costs can range from $10-$30 per square foot installed which makes it affordable for many homeowners.
Laminate
Not a big fan of the stuff, I must say, but printing processes have helped laminate make a comeback. There are artistic laminates for contemporary kitchens which can be printed with any background image. WilsonArt & Nevamar also make a nice array of laminate products to complement traditional and transitional kitchen architecture, while Abet Laminati even has one that glows in the dark. This one could be quite useful for midnight snack attacks!
posted by Alisha L. Gregg at 9:44 AM
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