Choosing the elements of your kitchen is a big decision!

The kitchen has evolved over the years to serve as a focal point in your home.  The kitchen typically overlooks the main living area of the home and serves a number of roles.  It’s a place for family meetings, crafts, projects and homework.  It seems everyone ends up in the kitchen at every gathering of family and friends.  And of course, it is still the main location for dining and cooking!  To be able to accommodate all of these activities, your kitchen must be versatile and functional.

When choosing new countertops, there are several materials to consider.  Style, general use and budget all play a factor.

Granite – One of the most popular surfaces for current kitchens is granite, which is a beautiful choice. Composed of many different minerals, each granite slab is filled with unique colors and veining, creating its own character. With proper sealing and maintenance, this material is resistant to heat, stains, scratches, and bacteria, making it one of the most durable and desirable options.

Quartz – Since quartz is a manufactured product, it is available in a wider array of colors than other natural stones like granite. While quartz has most of the same features as granite, it is more resistant to chipping or cracking, but is not as resistant to heat. The cost of quartz is similar to that of granite and does not require sealing.

Concrete – This is not your average sidewalk. Some concrete countertops have the look of natural stone such as granite or slate and come in a variety of colors. This material can even be stained to compliment the look of your walls, flooring and cabinets. While concrete is durable, resisting heat, stains, scratches, and chipping, resealing is suggested every five years.

Butcher Block – To create a warm, inviting, practical kitchen, you may consider a butcher block countertop. Crafted from wood pieces glued together, sanded, and sealed, these countertops come in a variety of colors and patterns. This surface is ideal for those cooks big on food preparation and functionality. Although this surface may be heat, chip, stain, and scratch resistant, without the proper maintenance of oiling, sanding, and sealing, its durability and finish will deteriorate over time. Consider a butcher block island combined with a concrete or granite surface on other kitchen counters.

Laminate – Laminate continues to be one of the most popular options for kitchens and baths. It is one of the most affordable choices for homeowners with costs far below granite or quartz. The manufactured material also has the widest array of color choices, patterns, and textures. Unlike other materials, this is a non–porous product, making it easy to clean and less prone to bacteria build up.However, laminate is somewhat more vulnerable to heat or scratches.

When you’re ready to re-design your kitchen, contact Custom Closets and Cabinets.  We offer free in-home estimates and a large selection of countertop materials!