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Finding The Perfect Counter Top Material

Posted by Claire Howard | Home Improvement | Thursday 17 December 2009 3:09 am

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Kitchen counter tops can be made of a wide range of materials. When making the choice of which material to use, 2 things need to be taken into account. The material’s strength is the first thing you should know You don’t want it to become scratched, broken, or stained before the time comes to replace it, many years in the future. The second is beauty, which, as we know, is in the eye of the beholder. Since you will have to live with it for these many years, you want to make sure that what you like now will be what you still like then. One of the latest trends in kitchen decoration is zinc counter tops, which are similar to the color of bullet alloys. Other popular counter top materials are granite, ceramic tile, laminates, wood, stainless steel, marble, engineered stone, solid surface, soapstone, and concrete. Let’s talk about a few of them here.

Zinc – As mentioned, it is a favorite material now. Zinc can be purchased in flat sheets. They can be cut to size & shaped to fit the space to create the backsplash & front curled edging. Zinc provides a shiny metal surface that will give your kitchen the look of a professional or restaurant kitchen. Some people love professional-looking kitchens with matching ranges and refrigerators.

Granite – Yet another counter top that has become a favorite for the last few years. The natural stone look of a granite countertop is something a lot of people love. It has the advantages of being hard and durable. It resists heat, which overcomes the main problem of many other countertops. If a sealer is applied, the material becomes almost maintenance free. The only probable downside of granite is its dull color, and of course its price.

Ceramic Tiles – Another common choice. Many say ceramic tiles give a kitchen that old-fashioned, retro look. There are so many colourings and textures to choose from. With some training, you can design & install your own counter top because the tiles are small & installed individually. This material is sturdy, and resistant to heat and scratching. The main turn offs are that a tile can be broken if a heavy object is dropped on it. Also, the grout can become stained over time, demanding a session of cleaning grout.

Formica – A good, old-fashioned laminate choice is Formica. This type of counter top has been available for close to fifty years. Laminate is a good choice ’cause it is inexpensive & comes in many colourings. It is just another area where you can express yourself using colors. The drawbacks are that the surface can be scratched fairly easily, and it can be tricky to finish the front edge.

Wood or Butcher Block – Yet another beautiful choice that lends a rustic look to the kitchen. This type of counter top is available in a range of natural earthy colours. It can be sanded and resealed as needed, but it can be damaged by water or heat.

Discover a huge selection of table top and counter tops giving your kitchen a better look. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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