Your countertops endure all sorts of damage, from your teenagers leaving a flat iron on the bathroom counter to you scratching the kitchen counter when you forget to use a cutting board. If you haven’t gone through a home renovation before, you may not realize there are several choices for low-maintenance countertops that can endure heat and spills without getting damaged. Knowing the pros and cons of each can help you make an informed decision when it comes time to remodel your space.
If you want to update your kitchen but can’t decide which type of countertop installation is best for your needs, NorthWest Stone Fabricators in Redmond, WA, is here with all the answers. Our team creates residential and commercial countertops with the utmost attention to aesthetics and detail.
1. Stay Within Budget With Laminate Countertops
A classic choice for smaller budgets, laminate is a durable countertop material that comes in a wide variety of colors. You will surely find a color or pattern to match your decor, whether you want faux wood grain or neon flamingo.
Laminate works equally well for kitchens and bathrooms. Beyond the installation cost, you never have to worry about expensive sealing or yearly refinishing like with other materials, making it a great choice if you don’t have the budget for regular remodeling projects.
A word to the wise: Repeated water exposure along the seams could cause the laminate to loosen over time. It could buckle or crack. For that reason, ensure no pools of water linger on your laminate countertops.
2. Add Pizzazz With Eco-Friendly, Recycled Glass
Recycled glass first appeared in kitchen counter designs in the 1990s and has grown in popularity ever since. Multicolored pieces of glass covered in resin or acrylic create a confetti-like effect to delight homeowners who enjoy unique styles.
Recycled glass countertops are smooth, stain resistant, and require no resealing.
A word to the wise: Recycled glass is not the best choice if you prefer to chop vegetables directly on your countertop. Over time, you could ruin the look of your countertop with knife marks.
3. The Industrial Look of Stainless Steel
If you’ve ever worked in food service, you know stainless steel is the holy grail of low-maintenance countertops. It can handle any amount of heat, chemicals, and water exposure. Stainless steel requires no special effort when it comes to cleaning.
You can use your favorite countertop cleaner or even soap and water if that’s all you have. Stainless steel countertops are durable enough to last a lifetime.
A word to the wise: Not all types of stainless steel are magnetic. That won’t matter unless you decide to install stainless steel appliances along with your countertops. Don’t choose a non-magnetic stainless steel refrigerator if you love to hang your kids’ artwork on the fridge with a magnet.
4. Shine Bright With Zinc
One of the biggest advantages of zinc countertops is their resistance to bacteria. If you or a loved one lives with a compromised immune system, you know how important it is to take every possible precaution to stay healthy, and zinc countertops are one way to avoid bacterial growth, especially around food.
A word to the wise: The look of zinc countertops changes over time. Regular cleaning makes the glossy surface sparkle even more. While many homeowners choose zinc countertops for this reason, you could end up disappointed if you don’t realize zinc countertops have this quality.
5. Beautiful, Durable Quartz
Many homeowners love the look of stone but don’t want to install a porous material like granite. Quartz is an even better choice for a durable, high-end look. It costs more per square foot than other materials, like laminate or stainless steel, but the benefits outweigh the cost.
Quartz countertops hold up in bathrooms and kitchens, making these spaces look crisp and classy even when decorating trends change. They are stain resistant and require no sealing or involved maintenance other than regular cleaning like any other countertop.
A word to the wise: There is almost no downside to quartz unless you don’t have the budget to put toward the cost. It can withstand nearly anything you throw its way, including heat exposure and knife usage. The only thing quartz cannot handle is turpentine, which is used in paint solvents and some chemical cleaners.
6. Renovate Like a Celebrity With Lava Stone
If you’ve never seen lava stone in a kitchen before, there is a reason why. At over $250 per square foot, it is one of the more expensive materials you could choose for a custom countertop. If you want to wow guests at your next dinner party, lava stone is a great choice.
Like recycled glass, lava stone is an environmentally friendly material. Because of the name, you may think the only color choice for lava stone is black, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You can choose a bold color or a more subdued hue to match your decor. It is non-porous and does not need sealing.
A word to the wise: When choosing a lava stone color, make sure it’s one you really love. Unlike other materials, you cannot refinish lava stone to change the color, and the replacement cost is expensive.
Custom, Low-Maintenance Countertops
Your kitchen is more than a place to store pots and pans. It’s where you cook your favorite meals, welcome guests, and have heartfelt conversations over coffee. Investing in low-maintenance countertops means you will have more time to spend with friends and family. Less frequent repair means you will have more money left in your wallet.
NorthWest Stone Fabricators in Redmond, WA, fabricates only high-quality, non-porous countertops in the Pacific Northwest. Our services include the removal of existing countertops as well as the installation of new countertops, sinks, and flooring. We have been in business for almost 20 years and can’t wait to leverage our experience to design your new kitchen.
Call our team at 425-881-5100 to schedule a consultation.
You can learn more on Marcie's Author Profile at https://nwstonefab.com/marcie-oliver/
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