A Closer Look at Countertops
“The kitchen is the heart of the home” is an old saying, but its truth has never been questioned. When people gather, there is always food. A kitchen counter is the place where all those special family meals are made. A place where friends and family stand and chat around all the finger foods. For some it’s the place where coloring books and crayons stay sprawled out for hours as a masterpiece is made. The kitchen counter can be one of the most used surfaces in a home. It needs to last, and it needs to be a place people keep coming back to.
Counters vary considerably in style, cost, color and durability. The most popular trends for counters in 2019 include having a thicker profile and using a waterfall edge (both shown in the image above). White, black or grey counters are showing the most popularity. Statement island counters that use more colorful stones or poured concrete are also on trend.
Selecting a counter can be a challenge for any homeowner. Especially when, in a lot of cases, you can’t have it all. Let’s break down the most common counter choices and their pros and cons:
Granite:
- Pros
- Wide variety of colors
- Low maintenance
- Cons
- Chips easily
- Not available in a fluid-like look such as marble or quartz
Marble:
- Pros
- Bright whites that are unavailable in other materials
- Cons
- Stains and scratches easily
Quartz:
- Pros
- Non-porous, does not need to be sealed
- Cons
- Affected by heat and acidic foods
Quartzite:
- Pros
- Cons
- High price range
- Affected by heat
- Limited variety of colors
Laminate:
- Pros
- Cons
- Can be affected by sharp objects or chip easily
Of course, there are a plethora of other counter material options such as poured concrete, travertine, stainless steel, recycled glass, butcher’s block… the list goes on and on! The most popular choice of counter material this year are quartz and quartzite. One major distinction between these two materials is that quartz is a man-made material whereas quartzite is naturally occurring.
If you want help with your kitchen remodel and feel overwhelmed with making the right decision, reach out to BGI to guide you in your decisions!
