An Example of Columbia Kitchens' Kitchen Designs
If you’re planning to redesign or simply remodel your kitchen you’ll find there are a great variety of materials available for kitchen countertops. Whether chef or casual cook, Columbia Kitchens offers products to meet your needs and can help you design the perfect work surface and entertaining space for your home. But first, let’s review some of the options available.
Natural or Engineered Stones, laminate, marble, and stainless are some of the commonly used materials for modern kitchen countertops. We will compare and contrast each of these to help you make the right choice for your kitchen counter.
Granite
Granite is a natural material harvested from quarries. Each countertop is cut from a slab of granite you select, and its colors and patterns have a natural fluidity and variation that makes each countertop unique. Because of these variations, granite is the least and most expensive of the solid surfaces. Granite and other solid surfaces, have a host of optional edges available, such as:
- Bullnose
- Ogee
- Pencil
- ¼ Bevel
- Roundover
In addition to its timeless natural beauty and shine, granite also offers excellent practical advantages. For example, granite is both heat and scratch resistant. It is also cool to the touch and great for bakers. Granite does need to be sealed annually, depending on usage, to protect it from becoming porous and staining. You can also polish your granite occasionally to keep the countertop looking new.
Marble
Marble is another natural product, but it is much less resistant to stains from oils and acids because it has a limestone base. Marble is also softer than granite and will scratch more easily. For these reasons, it is not recommended for kitchen use and is better suited for bathrooms. Just like granite, Marble comes in slabs and should be selected in person.
Engineered Stone
Compressed under high heat, engineered stone is made of 95% quartz, colored pebbles, polymers and epoxy combined to create a hard durable surface with a uniform pattern. Some styles offer a larger aggregate for a greater depth of color while others offer a tighter granular pattern. Engineered stone is an excellent countertop because it is non-porous, resistant to scratches and stains, and never needs to be resealed. Like granite, there are several color palettes and patterns to choose from, but since they are a man-made product, they are far more consistent.
Stainless Steel
A stainless steel countertop adds an industrial look to your kitchen design project. Stainless steel counters can be bleached without harming its surface and your sink can be made into the countertop. It is advised that you have a brushed or textured finished when installing Stainless Steel countertops because they will scratch easily. This is a high-end, commercial top that will need to be custom fabricated.
Laminate
Laminate is still very popular and the most affordable of the countertop surfaces. Laminate manufacturers have really stepped up to create some great faux stone looks, complete with textures. There are also specialized edge treatments, and under-mount sinks available with the traditional laminate tops. The same limitations apply, use a trivet with hot pots and cut on a cutting board, but if cared for, your laminate top will provide lasting beauty for years.
No matter your kitchen countertop choice, Columbia Kitchens is here to help you get the look you want!
At Columbia Kitchens we supply custom made countertops featuring laminate, solid surface, and manufactured stone, natural granite, as well as cultured marble. We also we stock builder grade cabinets for immediate purchase or you can choose from deluxe or semi-custom lines of cabinetry all displayed in our beautiful showroom. We offer all this plus FREE estimates, FREE design services, and FREE in-home measuring all done by a capable, friendly staff of professionals.
Let us create the kitchen design of your dreams today!
If you have any questions or need assistance with your kitchen or bathroom project, please contact Columbia Kitchens by calling 410.796.9090 or click here today!
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Source: Top Off Your Kitchen With A Great Counter
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