Choosing materials for kitchen countertop remodels

The most important part of a kitchen remodeling project is the kitchen countertops. Typically, people spend just over ten percent of their remodel budget on kitchen countertops. Marble and granite countertops may cost a bit more, though, but they add more value to the home than any other materials. Since kitchen countertops are one of the surest ways to add value to a home, they should perhaps take precedence over any other remodeling project in the home. Since marble and granite countertops are the most expensive choices in kitchen countertops, some people might want to mix and match the materials they use. Using marble and granite countertops in more decorative parts of the kitchen and manmade kitchen countertops in more heavily trafficked places is a smart budget choice. The island is a good place for marble and granite countertops for example, as long as they’re not too close to the sink where they might get water damaged.

The elegant look of granite or marble is beautiful and valuable, but it’s often a bit out of the price range for a whole kitchen. Today’s kitchen remodeling trends favor the warmth and character created by mixing marble and granite countertops and wood kitchen countertops in different areas. Marble might be good in the area used to prep vegetables or roll out pastry, for example, while solid surfacing is used for other kitchen countertops. Real granite may also be good on a high-visibility kitchen island with coordinating faux granite laminate kitchen countertops on perimeter counters. Most natural materials now have attractive synthetic alternatives that incorporate photographic reproductions, so kitchen countertops at every price point look better than ever. Real marble and granite countertops are always the best choice, but the synthetics can be use to fill in the spaces where the real thing was too expensive.

Marble and granite countertops are the luxury choices of kitchen countertops and can easily last a lifetime or longer. Highly polished, smooth-edged marble and granite countertops costs more than unpolished surfaces and rough-hewn edges, but the smoother the kitchen countertops, the easier it is to keep clean. Marble is a cool, smooth surface that is perfect for making pastry, but it is porous and can be stained, so regular care and sealing is important.

Granite, on the other hand, is much less porous than marble, but it can be stained by grease. Granite doesn’t scratch, and any chips on the corners can easily be repaired. The depth of the kitchen countertops also greatly affects the price. If it’s in the budget, make sure the granite is 1ј inches deep, so it’s strong enough to be used as an unsupported Ѕ inch kitchen countertops overhang. Natural stone kitchen countertops are also available in the somewhat less durable tile form for easier installation and lower cost.

Kitchen countertops are an extremely important part of the kitchen remodeling process. For the finest in kitchen design materials, marble and granite countertops should be the first choice. Even if the budget only allows for these kitchen countertops to be used in a few key places, it’s well worth it for the beauty and value they add.