What is the most long-wearing material for Kitchen Countertops?

What are some kinds of materials that can be used to make kitchen countertops?

Most kitchen countertops are made from ceramic tile. They can also be made from granite, engineered stone, butcher black, stainless steel, and marble.

Choosing Kitchen Countertops?

Changing out the countertops gives your shabby looking kitchen new life. Choosing the right countertop material comes down to use, maintenance and budget.Basic materialsWhen choosing new countertops, the first thing you need to know is what materials are available. One of the most common countertop materials is laminate. Laminate is a plastic material adhered to particle board, and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Other common materials include stone countertops like granite and marble, stainless steel and butcher block. Poured-in-place and pre-cast concrete countertops are also very popular. If you are interested in a "green" solution, companies like Alkemi offer countertops made from recycled metal shavings embedded in a hard resin material.Use, maintenance and style considerationsConsider your kitchen space carefully, as well as the kind of use and abuse your countertops are likely to endure. The website handyamerica.com has a great list of pros and cons of each of the most popular countertop materials. The style of your kitchen is also a major factor in the type of countertop you choose. Granite and other hard-surface countertops have a classic look that suits almost any kitchen. They are a major selling point for home buyers in the current market. Wood surfaces create a warm, homey feeling, while stainless steel and concrete countertops are a beautiful addition to a modern, industrial-style kitchen.Any major kitchen renovations can take several days; prepare to order take-out! CostObviously budget considerations play a large role when choosing countertops. Measure the square footage of space and calculate the base cost for the materials. Remember to factor in the estimated lifespan of each material, any associated maintenance costs and installation costs. You might find that for your kitchen, a more expensive material with lower maintenance and installation is just as financially feasible as any other material.Your new countertops give you a renewed love of your kitchen. If you plan carefully, and choose a material appropriate to your lifestyle, it is easy to have the kitchen of your dreams and stay within your budget.

What materials can kitchen counters be made from?

Kitchen counters, known as countertops, can be made from a very wide range of materials. Countertops can be made from wood, stainless steel, glass, concrete, granite, marble and other stones, however the most common choice nowadays seems to be wood.

How much are granite kitchen countertops?

Granite kitchen countertops is not only beautiful but an investment in your home if you should ever choose in the future to sale your home then most home buyers want marble or granite in their kitchen. Here is a wonderful website that will help you in the comparison shopping and provide some great deals www.ebizmba.com/articles/shopping-websites

What are the most effective products I can use to clean my travertine kitchen countertops?

The most effective products you can use to clean your travertine kitchen countertops is Travertine. You can find more info at www.findstone.com/curetrav.htm The best way to clean natural stone is with products that are designed for them. For more information on cleaning Travertine visit http://www.ehow.com/how_2087792_clean-travertine.html.

How to Select A Kitchen Countertop?

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it is said. Often families gather in the kitchen for conversation, meals, homework, anything that is part of family life at some time or another. Knowing this fact, people want an ideal kitchen in their homes and that is why kitchen designing and remodeling is such a popular venture. Kitchen countertops are one thing to consider when designing the kitchen to suit the family. There are so many varied materials a kitchen countertop can be made from in this day and age. With technology being what it is, synthetic options for kitchen countertops abound as well as natural options. In recent years, the most popular kitchen countertop material made of natural stone has been granite. Granite looks great, does not stain or chip and is almost completely heat-resistant. The upkeep of granite is quite simple in that it just needs to be sealed about once a year. In terms of affordability, granite is on the high end of the price scale. Another popular and enduring natural stone kitchen countertop option is marble. Marble, like granite, is very heat-resistant. Maintenance need only be a twice-a-year sealing. This material is very popular with serious bakers because it maintains a cool temperature at all times. Marble is the most expensive of the kitchen countertop materials on the market today. When it comes to synthetic materials for kitchen countertops, the top notch stainless steel rules the roost, hands down. Stainless steel is completely non-porous therefore it will have no issue ever with stains or odors. Completely heat-resistant as well, this kitchen countertop option is durable and favored in kitchens. Laminate is another man-made material widely used in kitchens today. This option has been used for many years now and is very affordable. Being that laminate is made up of layer upon layer of particle board that is topped with a thin sheet of veneer, scratches and stains do not repair well. The color on laminate countertops is only surface deep. Kitchen countertops that are made from this material are not heat resistant and care must be taken to protect them from hot pans. In deciding what material a kitchen countertop is to be made of, it is key that consideration of the kitchen, its functions and owner preferences are all taken into account before deciding on the specific kitchen countertop material.

What is the most durable material used for kitchen countertops?

Granite is probaly the most durable countertop material, though it is quite expensive. Marble is less durable and even more expensive, but can give some of the best results when making certain pastries. Laminant is the cheapest option by far, but cannot even withstand the heat of a pot off the stove.

Is granite slab a good option for kitchen countertops?

Yes, and it looks very nice also, but it can be quite expensive. But most would say its worth the price.

Does soapstone react to acid?

Soapstone is resistant to most acids and is generally considered chemically inert. It is commonly used in laboratories and kitchen countertops due to its acid resistance.

What is the average life expectancy for Granite Counter Tops for Kitchen surfaces with normal wear and tear?

Granite countertops can have amazingly long lifespans. In theory your countertop could last for decades in excellent condition. Most countertops are replaced for stylistic reasons instead of from damage.

What is the most reliable kitchen flooring material?

The most reliable kitchen flooring material is one that can stand up to the traffic that will be in your house. A flooring that stands up to traffic, easy to clean, not easily damaged.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Countertop?

As the most expansive surface in a kitchen, countertops play a major role in defining the room's style. Yet style is only one of the factors that homeowners must consider when choosing kitchen countertops. Affordability, functionality, durability and ease of care come into play as well. Fortunately, a broad selection of materials, colors and finishes ensures the right choice for any kitchen.Affordable OptionsLaminate countertops remain the most popular choice for homeowners on a budget, and today's laminate products ensure that homeowners needn't sacrifice style to save money. Fashioned from layers of paper soaked with melamine resin, laminate comes in a broad range of patterns and colors. Laminate's main drawback is that if damaged, it can be difficult to repair.Tile is another affordable option that offers a lot of style options too. Glazed porcelain tile is durable and functional. It's non-porous and resistant to heat, scratches and stains. Tile does require more maintenance than other materials, as the grout tends to stain.Durable StyleBoth for its strength and the broad range of design options, solid surfacing is become an increasingly popular choice for kitchen countertops. A material cast in acrylic or polyester, solid surfacing is available in a variety of designs, including those that mimic the look of stone. The material is non-porous and stain-resistant, but not resistant to high heat. Natural StoneStone is considered the premium material for kitchen countertops, but is typically the most expensive. While characteristics vary according to the type of stone, with periodic sealing to keep it water-resistant, most stone countertops remain impervious to water, stains and heat. Stones get their color and veining from the site in which they are quarried, providing endless variations of color and pattern. Granite is the most durable stone. Acidic foods and cleaners can stain stones like marble, travertine and limestone, but the stains can be buffed out.Other countertop materials include stainless steel, fiber cement, concrete and glass. Each countertop material has its advantages and disadvantages. The right kitchen countertop will be one that suits the style of the room, the cook's demands and the family budget.