KITCHEN COUNTERS PART 1
In many homes, the kitchen is the heart, and also the highest re-sale value spot. When the kitchen is updated, those sale prices can increase. One key element to this is your countertops, and there are numerous elements to consider. I thought this would be a fun two-part series, and we can scratch the surface on types of countertops and what to consider when selecting a new one!
Today we will dive into countertop materials. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!
Plastic Laminate: This is the most cost- effective option out there. Plastic laminate countertops are what you most often find in rentals. They are composed of a MDF or wood-composite center that has a plastic laminate layer heat-applied on top. While nice for short-term budget, plastic laminate countertops can be easily scratched, and can bubble if water gets to the wood-composite center and it starts to get puffy. Most visuals are to mimic a stone look.
Natural Stone: Granite and marble fall into this category, and are common stone countertop selections. Granite is a naturally occurring stone that has a variety of visuals. It is harder than a marble countertop, and likely less expensive than marble. Although marble countertops are actually fairly soft on the Mohs Hardness Scale, they are a beautiful way to splurge for a luxury aesthetic.
Engineered Stone: Quartz countertops are great example of this, made of quartz particles among others, bound by a resin. The visuals on this can be realistic, but since they are man-made, look for pattern repetitions and quality of the quartz before selecting a slab. Higher price-point slabs are often more realistic looking.
Wood: Although most appropriate for accent areas, wood countertops are an unique design statement. Stay away from using these in areas directly adjacent to a sink and consider how the space will be used. Discuss in depth with your supplier about what types of wood species are appropriate for the countertop in your home, and what sealants and care instructions there are to follow. A common application of these is butcher block - although you can do some fun accents with live edge wood countertops!
Resin: There are a wide variety of levels of performance with resin countertops. In general, they feel softer than a natural stone. This is what you can find in hospitals where the public and staff work. They are easy to clean and can stand up to some harsh cleaning chemicals, while being durable. In residential settings, you may need to re-finish your countertops to keep up their aesthetic and performance.
This list is of course only a short summary, and general collection of countertop materials - there are innumerable considerations to each of these items when you are selecting a new countertop for your home. I would love to chat about it with you if you are on the search to update your home, so reach out to me at melissa@spacestylistsco.com if you have questions about countertops, I would love to chat!
If you want help creating a home that is Intentional, Beautiful, and Yours - in the midst of daily living and your life season - check out my Signature Workshop. It’s designed to help you create a home that highlights your heart for your family, and I would love if you checked it out.
