So, let’s talk about countertops today. This may be one of the areas where I see some of the biggest mistakes when people are designing their custom home. They choose a countertop solely based on looks rather than incorporating how it will also be used. This is a big mistake, especially if you have children in the home, as a porous or untreated countertop will often lead to very high blood pressure when you see the kids spilling Kool-Aid on the counter and using it as a sheet of paper with their crayons and markers.
Today, we are going to go over the different materials as well as how they are best suited.
Marble
Marble has long been a favorite simply because of how eye-catching and unique it can be. The veining adds to a very classic look, but marble is more porous than other materials, such as granite. This means if you want marble, you are going to have to expect more time and money caring for it to properly preservice it. It would not be my choice if you have children in the home.
Quartz
Quartz can look elegant and it is also very resistant to staining. This is made by combining quartz mineral with resin to produce a countertop that harder than granite or marble. Generally, it does not require sealing and it is very easy to maintain. This is a very safe alternative to give you that marble look without the maintenance marble will require.
Stainless Steel
Yes, I know what you are thinking… I don’t want my kitchen to look like a restaurant kitchen. To that, I would say, why not? I know this surface is not for everyone, but think about the benefits of stainless steel as a countertop surface… it is both stain and heat-resistant, impervious to water, and easy to clean. For a modern kitchen with sharp lines, you just may want to consider it.
Copper or Brass
Again, not something you are going to see every day, and it will really only work in very specific settings, such as a country-themed kitchen. When clean, it can look amazing, but my experience in restaurants having seen this used as table tops and bar tops would be a hard “no” for a busy household. If you have a kitchen that is more for show than use, however, I would say go for it.
Wood
I love the look of butcher block countertops, but they take a great amount of care and can be ruined rather easily, even with a good finish and seal put on them. This would be especially true in homes that have children. If you do decide to go this route, maple, acacia, white oak, black walnut, and cherry are among the top woods used for this type of countertop.