Choosing kitchen countertops

When choosing what countertops to put on top of your kitchencabinetry, there are many things to consider. Here's where you canbegin: Cooking: In order to get the most out of the countertops that you select,consider the following questions first. Do you cook every day? Doyou cook once in a while when you cannot avoid it? Are you the typeof chef who likes to place hot pots on the countertop without thebenefit of a hot plate or thermal barrier? Do you use a lot ofroughly designed cookware that may scratch unprotected surfaces?You will need to take all of these things into account whenselecting the type of countertop that you want for your kitchen.Engineered stone and granite provide excellent scratch-andheat-resistant surfaces. Baking: If you are a baker, then you may want to consider some of the aboveconsiderations as well. Do you need a surface that can resist theheat of tray after tray of deliciously warm cookies? Perhaps youwill also need a stain-resistant countertop for all of the foodcolorings that you might be using in your food decoratingendeavors. Consider manufactured stone or stainless steel surfaces,both of which provide excellent heat and stain resistance. Marble is a favorite surface for rolling dough, but is prone tostaining, cracking and chipping. If this is something you'd reallylike in your kitchen, perhaps you could have a special section ofthat kind of countertop embedded in another material. Entertaining: If you entertain a lot, then you should consider durability alongwith visual and aesthetic appeal. Entertaining your guestsnecessitates a lot of wear and tear on the kitchen countertops inmost cases -- in fact, not everyone will be as careful of yourcountertops as you will be. Here are a few things to consider. Decorative purposes: If your kitchen is more of a gathering place and less of a centralcooking or baking station, then you may place more emphasis on thedecorative aspect of your countertops. You may be more concernedwith issues seam visibility more than those of, say, heatresistance. If that is the case, then you may want to consider anyof the following all of which provide excellent lack of seamvisibility: engineered stone, stainless steel, butcher block orlaminated surfaces. Countertop options and affordability Even if you have a limited budget, you can still have attractivekitchen countertops. Modern technology has advanced to such adegree that there are a wealth of affordable options. However, forthe least expensive selections, you may want to consider butcherblock, tile or laminated surfaces. Laminate you say? Really -- today's Formica is more durable than that material of yesteryear, and is availablein a wide range of colors, patterns and finishes. You might besurprised! One of the newest countertop materials out there is made out ofpaper (combined with resin and then baked). Richlite is a solid surface (the same material runs all the way through)and is heat resistant up to 350 degrees F. It's also consideredenvironmentally-friendly, as the raw material used in itsmanufacture is derived from renewable or recycled resources. Theend result is a tough surface that isn't cold like stone or othersolid-surface materials. On the other hand, if there's no upperceiling on how much you can spend, you have a world of options --literally. For instance, there's Blue Bahia granite, found only inthe mountains of Brazil; Pyrolave Enamelled Volvic Lava from Frenchvolcanoes; granite with fozzilized shells embedded throughout; or,from India, Emerald Green Soapstone. If you want the look of granite or marble countertops but can'tafford slab, tile (usually 12x12") is a much more affordableoption. Natural stone countertops are usually laid withoutgroutlines, and the tiles are allowed to touch("butted"). This makes the countertop easier to clean andalso creates a more slab-like look. So with everything from natural products (limestone, granite,marble) to those that have been manufactured (concrete, stainlesssteel, engineered stone), your options are plentiful. Or mix andmatch! You can even hire a professional contractor for a specialcustom design for the countertops themselves or a backsplash behindthe stove. Maintenance issues Engineered stone, stainless steel and granite are probably theeasiest surfaces in terms of upkeep. They are extremely durable,provide both heat and scratch resistance, and are relatively stainresistant. Marble, however, is more porous than granite and, as such, ispretty high-maintenance. Even when sealed, it is easily stained bytomato sauce, coffee and wine, is prone to scratching, while hotpans may cause scorch marks. With regular use, it is alsosusceptible to cracks and chips. Choosing granite, marble or limestone Natural stone for countertops typically comes in two finishes:polished (shiny) and honed (matte or satin). Polished stone is morepopular and usually easier to clean. As a natural stone, granite slabs -- even those with the same nameand mined from the same quarry -- may have variations in color andveining. There may also be some minor geological flaws (voids)which usually will be filled prior to sale. Unless the voids areextensive, don't consider this granite to be damaged. Instead,think of each piece of granite to be an individual piece of art. If you go to a slab yard to choose your granite or marble, be sureto sign your initials on the back of the slab you select and besure it is marked as "sold." (This is particularly trueif you are buying two or more slabs from the same piece of stone,because you will want the pieces to match.) Sometimes slab sellerswill deliver the wrong piece, sell your slab or -- in the case ofless-reputable dealers -- switch out the premium slab you selectedwith a piece of lesser quality or a different striation pattern. Installation considerations If you are concerned with the amount of time needed to complete thejob, laminate, engineered stone for resurfacing, butcher block, andtile offer the shortest installation times in most situations.Other variables may come into play such as availability ofmaterials and unforeseen complications. Replacing countertops If you're replacing your old laminate or ceramic tile countertopswith stone, you need to be sure that your cabinetry can support theadditional weight. (Slabs range in weight from about 13 to 18pounds per square foot, depending on the thickness of thematerial.) Warranty concerns Particularly when you're dealing with natural stone -- because ofinherent variations in color, shading and texture -- materialwarranties are not particularly generous. Manufactured"stone" and other solid surfacing (Silestone, Corian)offer more comprehensive guarantees. Don't rush to buy Countertops are a major purchase for any home, and make adifference to both your enjoyment of the kitchen and your home'sresale value. Be sure to remember that when it comes to homeimprovement (among many other things in life), there is no one sizefits all. Take the time to find the perfect combination ofdecorative and functional, and you'll take pleasure in your kitchenfor years to come.