Kitchen Countertops and Accessories - Designer Kitchen Cabinets

If durability is your top priority, then consider nothing holds up better over time than stone or solid surface. If the main factor is design related and includes a bright or bold color scheme, then solid surface and laminates offer the widest color palettes to choose from. What is your main cooking style, do you mostly bake or do lots of chopping? Each countertop material has specific advantages and disadvantages, and all these factors should be carefully weighed before making your selection for your countertops. The correct answer is not the same for everyone. There's also no rules that say you are limited to only one surface, consider using granite or a solid surface countertop combined with decorative tiles on the back splash to create a stunning and dramatic design.

Formica Laminates

With the widest color palette available, and a multitude of dazzling patterns and textures to choose from, the most affordable, and popular countertops are laminates. Laminates are manufactured with a process that combines multiple layers of paper saturated in plastic resin. After the papers are dried, they are stacked and pressed together with heat. The resin is cured in this carefully controlled process of applying extreme heat and pressure to form the sheet of laminate.

Advantages:

Hundreds of different colors, patterns, textures and finishes.
Easy maintenance
Impact resistant

Disadvantages:

Must use cutting boards
Can not put a hot pan directly on countertop

Solid Surfaces

Dramatic beauty, broad spectrum of colors and finishes, long-life ruggedness and easy to maintain practicality are just a few of the reasons solid surface countertops are such a popular choice. Several manufacturers are creating solid surface materials by blending natural minerals and pigments with polyester and or acrylic resins. Because the color and pattern run through the material's entire thickness, it is completely renewable. Since solid surface materials are extremely flexible and moldable, it can be used to create unique shapes, designs, curves, or complex edge details, even sinks.

Advantages:

Minor scratches, burns, or discoloration can be repaired easily
Easy to maintain and keep clean
Seams are inconspicuous

Disadvantages:

Staining can occur but spots can usually be scrubbed or sanded out
Manufacturers recommend always using a cutting board; however, scratches can be sanded out

Tile

Decorative tiles provide for the most design latitude. Entire countertops and back splashes can be tiled, or a dramatic back splash with hand painted tiles can be designed to compliment a solid surface or granite countertop. Tiles are manufactured in a variety of sizes, materials, colors and designs; the spaces between the tiles are filled in with grout.

Advantages:

Hot pots can be placed directly onto the tile
Moisture resistant
Unlimited design possibilities

Disadvantages:

Grout may stain
Tile countertops may not provide a smooth surface for rolling dough
Requires more maintenance

Stone

Considered to be the most elegant and luxurious material available for countertops. Let Mother Nature help you create your dream kitchen with timeless beauty and everlasting charm. The most common natural stones utilized for countertops are Granite and Engineered Quartz. Each of these stones have specific design characteristics.

Advantages:

Smooth countertop for cutting or rolling dough
Hot pans can be placed directly on Granite
Easy maintenance

Disadvantages:

Most expensive countertop material
Because stone is porous, it requires a sealant to protect
Limited color palette and pattern choices