Worktops and Countertops for Kitchens - Buyers Guide to Materials
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Article by: Barry Dunlop Worktops and Countertops for Kitchens , Which Type of Radiant Floor Heating is Best For Me? - Buyers Guide to Materials The worktop or countertop is not only necessary for a kitchen , Low Cost Decorating Ideas that Say Luxury to Homebuyers it is also an integral part of its design. , Solar Outdoor Lighting Tips And Ideas Food , Give a Makeover to Your "Home Sweet Home" preparation can deliver a large amount of wear and tear to the surfaces in the kitchen. , One Way to Get Rid of Nesting Pigeons Within this article we look at the various materials used for countertops and discuss the reasons for choosing them for your kitchen. , Laminate Floor Repair Whether its durability, hygiene or cost, you can find both the advantages and disadvantages of each material below. Laminate Worktops This in expensive option is a very popular choice for kitchen , Privacy Fences countertops and it comes in a variety of colors , One Way to Get Rid of Nesting Pigeons and textures. It isn't that hard wearing and can get scratched or burned, and gets dirty very easily. It is not built to last. If you do choose laminate , Floor Repair you can protect your surfaces with trivets and chopping boards. Advantages Fairly Inexpensive. A wide range of colours , Air Purifiers: Eliminate Indoor Air Pollutants and patterns to choose from. Easy to apply fancy edges. Stain resistant. Disadvantages Not wise to use as a cutting surface or to place hot , A Review of Popular Dehumidifier Products pans upon. Cannot be repaired if it gets damaged. It must get replaced. Noticeable seams because of a dark backing sheet. This is most apparent with light , HEPA Vacuum Cleaners - The Healthiest Clean for Your Home colours. Granite Worktops Granite is the most common type of stone , Diesel Generators used for a countertop. Granite is quarried worldwide, , Solar Outdoor Lighting Tips And Ideas with colors , Four Easy Home Energy Audit Areas and patterns that reveal the region and the geological conditions that created it. Each slab is unique, with random and inconsistent patterns for a great character and look. It is highly durable, it doesn't scratch or burn, and it keeps its color. , Laminate Floor Repair Unfortunately Granite is a very expensive material though the finished look is often well worth the cost. Advantages A variety of colours , What To Look For In Persian Rugs of natural , Different Types of Roof Vents stone. Extremely durable. Heat resistant and hard to scratch. Disadvantages Expensive To prevent staining it will need to be resealed. Stainless Steel Worktops Often associated with professional kitchens, , Age Old Question: Buy New or Remodel Existing Home? stainless steel is stylish and contemporary. Steel is highly durable and can be shaped in many ways to fit your kitchen. , Laminate Floor Repair The backsplash and the sink can be made out of the same piece of steel, ensuring that there are no awkward corners or gaps for food , Portable Air Conditioners - an Inexpensive Cooling Solution for Your Home to get lost in. Stainless steel is hygienic and is the only surface that can be safely bleached. Advantages The only surface that can be safely bleached. Corrosion proof. Very durable. Sinks, draining boards and backsplashes can all be fabricated into the counter top. Heat proof. All the joints can be polished for a seamless effect (may cost extra). Disadvantages Can scratch and dent (though newer designs , Feng Shui Bathroom Wealth can include textured finishes that can hide the scratches). A high maintenance option. Expensive. Wood and Butcher Block Worktops Wood will always give a great look and add character to your kitchen. , A Household Sugar Cane Juicer Only A Sweet Dream? On the countertop, however, it is highly susceptible to scratching and cutting. Hot , How To Choose A Curio Cabinet pans will burn it or leave marks, and it can be unhygienic if meat or poultry is prepared on it. However, it is one of the only surfaces that will not damage your knives. Oak, maple, cherry, red beech, walnut, teak, and mahogany are all hardwoods favored for countertop applications. Advantages Ideal for cutting on. Only surface that will not damage your knives. Very attractive. Disadvantages Deep cuts will show but can be sanded out. Hot pans will burn it or leave marks. High maintenance. Use mineral oil to renew surface. Quartz Surfaces: Zodiaq, Cambria and Silestone Worktops Quartz delivers a great natural , Low Cost Decorating Ideas that Say Luxury to Homebuyers look to any kitchen. , The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Public's Eye It is highly durable being resistant to scratches, stains and heat. , Subtle Ways to Actually Rule Over Your Cat However this flexibility comes at a price and you can sometimes encounter prices up to 10% higher than that of granite. Quartz surfaces are hygienic because the material is non-porous and so bacteria and mould have nowhere to hide. Three brands to note of are Zodiaq, Cambria and Silestone. Zodiaq comes in 26 colors , The Durability of Standing Seam Metal Roofing and has a 10-year warranty. Cambria is made in the USA and is available in 34 colors , Consider Rubber Decking – The Possibilities Are Endless which are all the same price. Silestone is made by the Spanish company Consentino and is available in 46 colors. , HEPA Vacuum Cleaners - The Healthiest Clean for Your Home Advantages Scratch resistant. Stain resistant. Heat Resistant. Looks great. Does not need to be resealed every few years (unlike granite). Disadvantages Expensive (about 10% more than granite). Set on backsplashes only. Corian, Avonite and Other Solid Surfaces Worktops A countertop that consists of a solid plastic , How To Buy A Persian Rug all the way through is said to be a solid surface countertop (as opposed to those built up in layers i.e. laminate). They are similar to quartz in that they're also hardwearing. They are resistant to scratches, scorching and heat. , The Benefits of Painted Wall Murals If you do manage to do damage to the countertop you can easily repair , How To Buy A Persian Rug it. You can expect to spend about three times more than you would for laminate, , One Way to Get Rid of Nesting Pigeons and twice as much for wood. , Cleaning Dryer Vents - Tips To Prevent A House Fire! A wide range of colors , Buying Fireplaces Online and styles are available to choose from and most suppliers will give you a good guarantee. Corian is the most famous brand (has been around for 30 years) Avonite has unique color , Four Easy Home Energy Audit Areas choices. Advantages Large variety of colors , Vacuum Pump Repair and edge styles. You can create your own design , The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Public's Eye on the deck. , How to Choose a Lighthouse Mailbox Backsplashes can be any height and coved to deck , Air Purifiers For Pure Breathing for a very clean look. Seams are virtually invisible. The material is renewable and repairable. Most all brands offer a full, transferable, 10-year warranty. Disadvantages Cost is high when all available options are used.  |
  
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