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Choosing Kitchen Countertops

By
Industry Observer with RenovationFind

The main factor to consider when choosing new kitchen countertops is the surface material.  There are so many great options to choose from and many allow you to be creative with colour, texture and patterns.  Countertop companies in Edmonton will have laminate, natural stone, engineered stone, and even wood or stainless steel to choose from.  Not only do you want a countertop that looks good, you also want it to function well for how you use your kitchen.

Remember that countertops all look shiny and amazing in the showroom, but imagine what they will look like when they’re actually being used.  Dropped pots, sharp knives and spilled tomato sauce or wine can all take their toll on that like-new lustre.  When choosing your kitchen countertops, consider how you use your kitchen and how much natural wear and tear they’ll get.  Not every material will suite your lifestyle and needs.

Laminate countertops are a popular choice for the budget-savvy renovator.  Laminate is available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and textures and can even mimic the look of natural stone.  Laminate can be easily scratched by knives used on the counter, but is resistant to heat and stain damage.

Engineered quartz countertops are a good choice for a kitchen that gets a lot of use.  It’s easy to maintain, extremely durable and resists those pesky stains.  It is resistant to heat, so it is less likely to be damaged or discoloured from hot pots left on the counter.  It also comes in a wide variety of colours including vibrant colours or if you prefer, a natural stone colour.

Butcher block wood countertops give your home a warm and rustic look.  While they have a unique style, they are more difficult to maintain.  An oiled butcher block countertop is much more resistant to heat, but not as good as stone and they stain easily.  Unless you are committed to being careful with this countertop and maintaining it regularly, it might not be the best choice for a busy family.

Stainless steel countertops are making their way into residential kitchens.  Homeowners like the smooth, clean look.  They are very easy to clean, making them a very hygienic choice for the kitchen.  Unfortunately, stainless steel can dent and scratch easily and shows every fingerprint.  If you like stainless steel, try a matted grainier finish to hide damage and fingerprints better.

Granite countertops are one of the most popular countertop surfaces sold by countertop companies in Edmonton.  Not only do they achieve the beautiful aesthetics you get from a natural stone countertop, they are also very resistant to heat, scratches and if you keep on top of resealing it, it is resistant to stains as well.  Granite has a lot of variation regarding colours and natural patterns.  If you want to choose a specific piece, ask your Edmonton countertop company if they can show you the entire slab from their provider, so you can select the exact piece you like.

Find a Edmonton's best countertop suppliers on our free online directory of accredited renovation companys:  RenovationFind.com

Comments(1)

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Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Great post!  Love the kitchen shot.  I prefer granite and quartz when I redo kitchens.  Great look and quartz has less maintenance.

Dec 16, 2015 01:57 AM