The decision on what kitchen
counter tops to choose
is one of the most important for every successful kitchen
design. Especially nowadays with the nearly endless number
of different materials, finding the best material for
your kitchen counter tops can be a little bit tricky.
Let's have a look on what is available and where are
the differences.
Natural stone counter tops
The
first group of kitchen counter tops is also one of
the more expensive once. Solid stone countertops like granite
counter tops or marble counters are probably one
of the oldest materials used for kitchen tops. With an
enormous durability against most of the materials used
in the kitchen, they guarantee a long lasting, solid
and high quality kitchen counter top. In addition to
solid granite or marble tops, sometimes only ceramic
tiles are used. This kind of kitchentop can be found
more frequently around the Mediterranean. Looking very
very pretty most of the time, tiled counter tops are
not as resistant in today's hard daily kitchen environment.
Being also rather expensive, they are very rarely
seen.
Solid surface countertops
Within
this group basically all kinds of different can be
found such as: Corian ®, Laminate
or Formica. With the less expensive laminate
countertops every kitchen
maker has a reliable option. Being a resistant material,
it is still very easy to cut and adapt to different kitchencounter
shapes. Only in areas where you need maximum flexibility
on shaping, laminate could be a little bit more difficult
to make the edges look professional and durable. For
standard straight forward kitchen counter tops, laminate
is a very good option.
In case you look for more flexibility and shapes of
the counter tops, corian
countertops are a very nice
solution. Available in a nearly endless amount of colors
and textures, as the top is made of one solid material,
the counter can be shaped and cut in nearly all forms.
Especially when it comes to integrating kitchen sinks
into the kitchentop design, corian offers the option
that the sink is made of the same corian material than
the top. This gives every kitchen designer new ways to
incorporate kitchen sinks into the overall kitchen concept.
Metal kitchen counter tops
The last group of kitchen counter tops is not very often
considered. Metal or better stainless steel kitchen counter
tops, are most common in professional kitchens where
efficiency not beauty is most important. The material
is easy to be cleaned up and very resistant in day to
day work. As material for kitchen counter tops in private
households it will remain the exception.
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