A countertop may do more to define the décor of a kitchen or bathroom than any other single remodeling improvement a homeowner can achieve. As the center of attention, they create the ambiance that homeowners can use to establish an atmosphere of casual comfort or luxurious sophistication. The top 5 countertops offer buyers a basis for comparison of advantages and disadvantages, price per square foot and style. You can visit our design center to learn more about the type of countertops that will work best for your home.

Quartz

Quarries do not produce slabs of quartz, but engineering practices compress particles with other minerals and resins to create them. Manufacturers produce uniformity without imperfections for less than most quarried slab options. As a stone that has more durability than granite or marble, its surface resists acids, heat, stains and scratches without sealing. In the bath or kitchen, it creates a distinctive aura of elegance. Although possible to install as a do-it-yourself project, quartz countertops require handling of extremely heavy slabs.

Tile

Durability and cleanliness make tile an excellent choice for countertops in baths, but they can work well in kitchens too. Not as expensive as most other materials, tiles offer an economical option for countertops and with little effort are a very doable project for do-it-yourselfers. If you want to use specialty or luxury tiles, the cost does increase, but you can create a truly magnificent, even one of a kind design. Resistance to heat protects tiles from damage, and the range of colors lets them adapt to any home décor. Tiles can break or crack under impact, so some care is needed. While grout may be made to complement the tile colors, stains can affect it and present challenges in cleaning.

Laminate

Laminate countetops are an affordable option for remodeling a kitchen or bath. Custom-fabrication can double the price, but both types of countertops install well by knowledgeable owners who enjoy do-it-yourself projects. Layers of plastic bond to particle board and provide a smooth, clean surface that can mimic expensive materials such as granite or marble and others. The seams remain visible, and although quite durable the surface can sustain irreparable scratches and chips.

Solid Surface

In roughly the same price range as laminate, solid surface countertops consist of components that manufacturers press into sheets and form into depressions for sinks. An inexpensive representation of natural stone solid surface countertops offer a variety of colors and patterns that resist stains in the bath or kitchen. Unable to withstand the high heat of pots or curling irons, it requires owners to take care in protecting it. The joints seem invisible, and sanding can remove damage to the surface.

Wood

The natural beauty of wood may make it a choice for rustic or contemporary countertop styles, but its tendency to warp when wet eliminates it from consideration for bathrooms. The warm and quaint appearance that wood creates can add charm and distinction to a kitchen. While easy to clean, it can allow bacteria to grow if not cleaned regularly after use. Wood can also crack without frequent applications of oil and sealer, so maintenance is required. Wood countertops can vary in price from modest to expensive, depending upon the design and wood selected. They are susceptible to scratch and stain, but sanding can help to remove damage. Wood countertops, like stainless steel, can also be used in select places, rather than throughout the kitchen, to provide a beautiful accent.

If you have any questions about any of these material choices and what would work best in your home, the experts at our Marson & Marson Design Showroom in Leavenworth are an invaluable resource and happy to answer any questions you might have.