Kitchen countertops are one of the most important elements in your kitchen. Not only do they take up the most space and are the most noticeable part of your kitchen, they are also in constant use. This constant usage can cause some simple wear-and-tear or even significant damage so a countertop refresh may be needed sooner rather than later. Even if your kitchen space just needs an aesthetic change, choosing the right countertop replacement can be daunting.
When the time comes to refresh your kitchen with new countertops, there are a few things you’ll want to consider to choose the absolute best countertops for your kitchen. These 5 considerations below will help you choose the right countertop for you and your specific needs.
1. Cleaning
Consider how easy you want to be able to clean your countertops and if you need something more stain-resistant. First, think about who will be using your kitchen and how often it will be used. This will give you a pretty good idea about what kind of stain resistance you will need.
For example, while aesthetically pleasing, granite countertops need constant sealing to prevent stains which may be hard if you have a kitchen that is constantly in use or if you have kids in the house. Marble countertops are similar but even with sealing, they are susceptible to staining.
Stainless steel is popular in commercial kitchens due to its stain resistance but it’s not too visually appealing in a residential home. Solid, nonporous surfaces are the easiest countertops to clean and should be considered for families with kids, large families, or for a constantly used kitchen.
2. Durability/Maintenance
Another consideration worth thinking about is durability and maintenance. Again, think about who will be using the kitchen and exactly how often it will be used. Busier kitchens tend to wear out countertops faster and have more “opportunities” for the countertops to be chipped, scratched, or worn down.
To combat these mishaps, try to get a material that is scratch resistant and heat resistant for long-term durability and lower cost maintenance long term. Quartz and granite are two of the most durable and scratch-resistant materials for countertops. These are followed by recycled glass and concrete materials.
3. Appearance
If you were considering durability only, you could just slap some concrete on for your countertops and call it a day but it most likely won’t look aesthetically pleasing in your kitchen. How your kitchen countertops look is important because it usually takes up the most space in the kitchen making it one of the easiest and first things seen in that room.
If you’re just changing the countertops, it’s a little easier to plan around your kitchen’s current aesthetics. But, for an entire kitchen remodel, be sure to contact a designer and/or keep in mind the overall look of the kitchen and think about how the countertop will fit it. Even if you like a countertop design a lot, it may not fit in with the overall aesthetics so consider its color, pattern, and placement.
4. Health
If you’re considering tiles or non-smooth surfaces, it may increase the risk of bacteria through contamination. This is because the grooves and crevices in non-flat countertops may host bacteria and dirt that are more easily missed or just harder to reach during cleaning. Sealing may reduce some of this risk but it can be more costly in the long run than just getting a flat, nonporous surface in the first place.
5. Price
Of course, you can’t forget about the price. Some surfaces have high upfront costs and/or maintenance costs. Some other surfaces may be cheaper and check all the boxes but may cost more in the long run if you have to replace the countertops more frequently due to poor durability. But, don’t focus on upfront cost alone, consider it along with the other factors mentioned above.
Laminate by far is the cheapest material for countertops and is easy to clean but not too durable long term. Ceramic tile is one of the more affordable stone options. Meanwhile, quartz is definitely more expensive but it’s also durable, damage-resistant, and more affordable than most natural stone materials.
Choose the Kitchen Remodeling Experts
No matter what kitchen countertops you decide on, the kitchen remodeling experts at Brunson Construction are here to help your kitchen countertops installation progress with ease. Since 1969, our new experts have successfully remodeled many residential kitchens around Dallas. Contact us today for a free quote on your kitchen remodel or countertop renovation.
