HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR PERFECT COUNTERTOP

This blog is all about choosing your perfect countertops

We know when you’re designing a kitchen there are numerous decisions to make. Here, we breakdown the 3 famous countertops choices and why you should choose one over the other.

When designing a kitchen many aspects needs to be considered -you have the flooring, the cabinets, the appliances, the hardware, the countertops, the accessories, there’s one thing after another but the number one question that arises the most is how do you pick a perfect countertop?

FUNCTION

While choosing a countertop you always want to decide on function first!

Function should always be the top priority when selecting any material, especially for your countertops. First of all, assess how your kitchen is going to be used, the kitchen is always the hot spot in the house or commercial space or restaurants and is exploited in numerous ways, therefore mostly it’s advisable to go for a durable & heat-resistant option. Busy kitchens always face heavy blows on countertops or a lot of spills that need to be taken care of. So, you need to assess the key requirements for your kitchen, the function, as well as its utilization to figure out what goes well. You can schedule a consultation with Sunderlands’ design representative to know more about selecting the perfect counters for your residential or commercial projects.

BUDGET

What can you afford?

Different types of materials range from low to high-end, however, there are myths as well. For example,  it’s a common myth that marble is the most expensive countertop material but actually, there are high-end exotic granites that trump the most expensive marbles out there. So, while there is a great variation between the cost per square foot between materials, you need to figure out how much countertop material you require for your project.

Maintenance

How much maintenance can you handle?

Every kind of material comes with consistent maintenance demands, for instance- if you are someone who needs a completely sturdy worktop that’s durable, requires less maintenance and sealing, then a porous material like marble or granite is not for you. However, if you don’t mind regular maintenance and love to tend to your countertops then you can go for marbles and granites. You just have to figure out how much maintenance you can commit to that particular material.

STYLE

What style do you like?

If your style is minimal and modern, quartz with minimal variation in patterns might be the style for you. Quartz come in variety of patterns and styles that gives it the design flexibility which is not found otherwise. And of course, you can never go wrong with white marble like the Carrera and Calcutta that are high on everyone’s wish list and at the same time matches a variety of styles depending on what you pair them with. Visit Sunderlands’ showrooms in Omaha , Kansas , DesMoines , StLouis to experience various styles and colors in our natural stone and quartz collections.

Let’s break down some of the most popular countertop materials and talk to you about the key characteristics of each!

First, we have our natural stone countertops like marbles & granites that are typically quarried from all over the world from Brazil to China to Italy. The great thing about natural stone is that they’re natural and every batch is unique and exudes a natural charm hard to find in other man-made options. Natural stones feature a vast palette of neutral tones to bolder selections that make your space stand out from the surrounding. Engineered stone/Quartz is a man-made material that’s made from 95% ground quartz and 5% polymer resins. A super durable material, quartz is probably one of the most typical materials you find in kitchen countertops today. They’re popular but you still need to determine whether or not it’s right for you.

MARBLE Countertops

Marble is an absolute favorite countertop material amongst masses because of its high-end authentic look. It’s a natural material that comes in a variety of patterns and colors and not only it’s heat-resistant, but it also develops a beautiful patina over time with continuous usage, aging, and wear. Marble is compatible with many different designs-use it in European farmhouse type of home or in a modern home or a commercial space-giving any space a luxurious feel. However, design flexibility depends on the surface finishing of marble, it can be polished or honed depending on your aesthetic requirement. One of the cons of marble is that it could be expensive, so if you’re restricted by budget it’s advisable to rethink whether or not you want to use marble. Another con is that since it’s a porous material which means the surface has pores, marble countertops require ongoing maintenance. You should have it professionally sealed annually to elongate its durability. Marble is susceptible to staining and reactive to acidic foods and drinks like red wine or any other liquids. Contact with acids will etch the marble countertop causing dull spots, bottles, or cup rings. This means, you have to be attentive & clean it right away and if you feel as though you can’t do that then marble probably isn’t the countertop material for you. It also has very low abrasion which means it could scratch easily. One more con is that marble develops a patina over time and depending on how you look at it, it’s a pro or a con. Some people love that their kitchen looks exactly how they use it and others don’t like that so much, so you need to determine whether or not that patina works for you.

GRANITE Countertops

 Granite is probably one of the most durable materials out there but since it’s a porous material, it does require to be sealed periodically. A lot of people love the heat resistance and the scratch resistance of granite, take a pot right off the stove & place it on your countertop, it won’t damage the surface. Since granite is one of the most durable materials, it won’t scratch or chip easily but it doesn’t mean it’s indestructible- if you accidentally rub a huge pot on the side of it or a cast-iron skillet, it will get damaged. But since it’s one of the toughest materials, people usually choose granite. Another Pro is that granite embodies beautiful veiny patterns which is admired by some and at the same time it’s considered a con by many, so depending on what your style and aesthetic requirement are, you might love the patterns or not. Some of the exotic Granite collections are high-end and visually make a statement in any type of kitchen. For example, imagine the patterns caused by a lot of cabinets and drawers, suddenly broken up by this beautiful pattern in the center of your kitchen. That’s why the majority always gravitate towards natural stone for countertops, it just gives off a very luxurious vibe and no two slots are the same. In any kitchen design, you will certainly see seams depending on the material and fabrication process, either they’re less or more. But with granite, since there’s so much pattern variation, you could hide the seams a little bit better than quartz. Granite countertops are actually considered one of the lower maintenance countertops as they don’t need professional sealing like marble, you can use a topical sealer and wipe that down periodically on your granite countertop. Granites are absolutely resistant to chemicals, accidental spills of acid or vinegar onto your countertops, can be easily wiped off without damaging the porous material.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertop is just as strong as granite but with the added resins it’s a little bit more flexible. Quartz is nonporous which means it never requires sealing, offering a virtually maintenance-free kitchen workstation that everybody likes. While quartz is super durable, it’s not indestructible either, however, it is highly stained resistant & has a very low water absorption rate so, spilled liquids can easily be cleaned and forgotten about. But, a con in quartz is that since it contains resins inside, if you have a part of your kitchen that receives more direct sunlight and a portion that doesn’t, then the part that receives sunlight can discolor over time thus spoiling the appearance. There are lots of quartz collections in the market that emulate marbles; if you’re restricted by budget but love the look of marble then you can choose quartz that looks just the same- of course with low maintenance and more durability.

We know there’s so much to consider when specifying your countertop material; visit Sunderlands’ showroom or just schedule a consultation with our design consultant for assistance from ideating to selecting to installing the perfect countertop material for your residential or commercial projects.