Granite Top Counters for a Fabulous Kitchen

A kitchen counter gets a lot of wear and tear. Knives, spills, pastry rolling, dishes, hot pots, toaster ovens…all of these can take a toll on your countertop. There are many fine countertop materials available to homeowners who are building or renovating. How well does each of them resist stains, heat damage, impact, or cuts and abrasions? What is the best choice for your home? In recent years, granite has become the surface of choice for most homeowners. Let's look at some of the more popular countertop materials and see how they measure up to granite.

 

Laminate is a popular type of surfacing for counters. It's inexpensive and waterproof, plus it comes in a range of colours. However, laminate is not heatproof. It can crack and scratch and it's difficult to repair. Laminate has been sometimes known to release formaldehyde.

 

Concrete is heat and scratch-resistant, smooth and very strong. There are lots of color options, and it's pretty durable. However, concrete can get cracks relatively easy and is somewhat porous. It needs to be custom cast, and the cost may surprise you.

 

Stainless steel has become popular in recent years. Steel is, of course, durable, stain-proof, spill-proof, and can withstand high temperatures. A steel counter can be matched to stainless steel appliances. Disadvantages to stainless steel include the fact that it's noisy to work on, and that it's more likely than other materials to get nicked and scratched. As well, fingerprints are very visible on stainless steel.

 

Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. It resists heat and moisture well. Downsides include a less even surface than some other materials, and the fact that tiles can crack or chip.

 

Wood counters are gentle on delicate glassware and china, and lend a warm, welcoming, natural feeling to the kitchen area. However, wood can be easily damaged by burns, dents, spills and scratches, and will usually discolour around the sink area.

 

Solid surface countertops, such as Corian© have a durable, smooth surface. The material is readily able to seamlessly integrate the sink and a backsplash. Stains and scratches can usually be sanded away. Solid surface is available in lots of color and pattern options; however, it is not a natural substance, and it can be damaged by heat.

 

Marble is perhaps the closest to granite in quality. Like granite, it comes in a variety of colours and patterns, has a smooth surface. Marble doesn't chip or dent, and it's also heat-resistant. It is, however, more easily scratched than granite.

 

Granite counters may be tiled, or slab. Tiles may be best for counters that have a lot of angles, or for very large counters. The seamless look of a granite slab countertop is very attractive. It's also one of the most durable surfaces on earth. Granite won't scratch and is resistant to stains, heat, and water as long as it's properly sealed. Granite's natural beauty is elegant and timeless, and it's available in a wide range of colours and textures. A granite countertop also adds value to your home.

 

Compare your options carefully, and choose the granite top counter that's right for your home.