Is it Time to Choose a Countertop? You Have More Choices than Ever (Part 2 of 2)
Butcher Block
The warmth of wood, especially featured on a small portion of the prep station is a common trend as well. Bamboo is very popular right not for its sustainability. Although cherry, maple, oak, walnut, and teak are all contenders. Butcher block is made from pieces of wood and allows you to prep/chop/dice right there on the countertop. No additional cutting boards needed.
It is porous, so users need to be mindful of spills or else risk staining the wood. Somewhat heavy maintenance, oiling twice per month, is required for unsealed butcher block.
Soapstone
Creating a beautifully aged and artful look is Soapstone. A natural stone that comes from the Appalachian Mountains, or imported from Finland and Brazil, soapstone requires minimal maintenance. It’s completely non porous, and as such is resistant to heat, bacteria and staining.
Available in a lot of popular gray shades, with blue and green undertones, it offers a very unique look. It also offers a very unique feel, as it contains talc, creating a soft, and soap like feel.
It’s often recommended that the countertop be oiled once a month for the first year to allow the surface to oxidize and for the patina to develop.
Stainless Steel
Entirely non porous, stainless steel isn’t just for appliances or restaurants anymore. Stainless steel is a great look for today’s Industrial kitchens.
Downsides are fingerprints are everywhere and spills and splashes can’t be left for long or they become difficult to clean. Unfortunately damage like scratches and dents show very easily. However, it’s a great choice that is super durable, non-porous and creates a great look.
Laminate
In the beginning, there was laminate. Boy, has it come a long way. Gone is Formica, which was the brand that was popular in the 1980’s. The new designer series creates tons of options that look like their more expensive counterparts.
Low in costs, completely non-porous, and never needs resealing all make it worth looking at laminate for certain projects. Unfortunately, laminate will not add to your return on investment and will be a turn off if you sell your house, but even so it’s a good fit for basement bathrooms, guest houses and other lower profile places.
Tile
Tile has also evolved, but the beautiful new shapes, colors and materials still may be better suited to backsplashes and floors – not countertops. Where there is tile, there is grout and therein lies the rub. The non-solid surface and the grout lines make
countertops made of tile very difficult to clean. However there are no shortage of materials including porcelain, ceramic, and even natural stones. While granite, quartz, and marble tiles are a more affordable alternative to large slabs.
Solid Surface
Solid Surface Countertops are often referred to as the brands that are most well-known like Corian and Avonite. Considered the middle tier option, Solid Surface can now mimic the look of granite and marble. It’s stain resistant, seamless and damage can literally be sanded out. The downside is that it is not heat resistant.
Hopefully, this blog post helped you on your countertop journey. As always, check back for more helpful real estate tips and strategies. If you are planning to buy or sell soon, Karen would love to be your agent.
