Popular Kitchen Countertop Trends Of 2015
Are you or someone you know considering changing your kitchen countertop?
As ironic as this may sound, there isn’t any one best countertop as the decision will really boil down to personal preference and lifestyle choices. It’s also important to understand that each countertop has its own characteristics.
Here are a few tips to help you make an informed decision based on your needs and lifestyle choices.
Is quickly gaining popularity among consumers. Why is Quartz gaining popularity quickly?
Quartz was once a very expensive countertop that was mostly selected by the affluent. Hence, granite was once the most popular choice for most consumers mainly because of affordability and quality. In order to keep up with competition and market demand the cost of Quartz countertop has decreased over the years and its quality has increased. Quartz has twice the strength and durability of granite, it’s a very hard stone, second to diamond in terms of hardness. Quartz is made up of approx. 93% ground Quartz; the other 7% is binders, epoxy, fillers and colors. Quartz look is consistent because each piece is similar. Like granite it will have seams but they are usually less noticeable than granite. Quartz countertops are heat and stain resistant and can with stands tough use, scratches and stains. You can put a hot pot on Quartz countertop, but if left for too long it will burn. It needs no sealing or maintenance and has over 48 different elegant colors to select from.
Is cut out of the earth in blocks and sliced into sheets. It’s important to know each sheet is unique, so one slab could have approximately six shade variations. Three shades darker or three shades lighter than the one you select in a show room. The only way to guarantee a specific shade is to visit a stockyard to select and tag the slab or slabs you need. It’s then polished, sealed, delivered and installed at your residence. Granite comes from all over the world; hence it brings uniqueness, heritage and history into your home. It can stand high temperatures for a long period of time. So you can put a hot pot on a Granite countertop without fear that it will burn. Most granite countertop will be joined, so it’s typical to expect seams. You don’t have to seal it, but it’s wise to do a little sealing maintenance at least once per year to keep its classy and polished look. Granite can be damaged and stained with red wine, cooking oil or many household cleaners unlike Quartz. Granite countertop color options are more limited than Quartz countertops.
Photo credit: http://www.allsurfacedesign.com/products/countertops/icestone.aspx
Recycled glass countertops are made from all different types of post consumer glass products. E.g: glass bottles and windshields. This countertop is made with glass mixed in concrete. So naturally, it’s highly resistant to heat and is one of the greener countertop choices on the market. The transparency and shimmer of the crushed pieces of glass of varying colors and shapes adds character and depth to most kitchen countertop. They’re usually in sheets, so seams are required. To protect the surface sealing is required every six months. Recycled glass countertop has several different beautiful options on the market to select from and is mostly loved and selected by consumers interested in uniqueness, dramatic looks and art.
Is an acrylic man-made product and is often one big sheet with a seamless look. Corian is soft to the touch, consistent and more muted than most stone countertops. Corian is known because it’s easy to clean and one of the most sanitary countertop. It’s not heat resistant because of its softness, but this allows the flexibility of many different design edges. There are over 110 different colors to choose from and it's look is consistent.
Has been around for many years. Each piece of wood is unique because of its grain. Wood countertop usually needs oiling every three to six months. It gets more beautiful, deeper and richer with age. Wood is like furniture so it’s strongly recommended that you don’t cut on it.
There you have it..... Top Kitchen Countertop Trends Of 2015!
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