Best Kitchen Countertops – What Are The Most Practical Counter Tops?

Fitting a new kitchen is a huge investment, and it needs to be both beautiful and practical, fitting in with your carefully planned interior design. Despite spending a fortune on fittings and fixtures, many people fail to pick the right countertops, buying for beauty rather than as an important utility that must survive daily use. It is important to find the right countertops, striking the correct balance between budget, practicality and aesthetics.

There are so many varieties of countertop available that choosing the best type to suit your particular needs and budget is difficult. Before making any decision, you should plan how you are going to use your kitchen. For example, if you do a lot of cooking, you want something that is going to last for many years. If you cook infrequently, you could safely err towards something that is aesthetically pleasing, but not quite as robust.

Laminate countertops are the budget option and are a decent choice when finances are a little stretched. Laminate countertops are constructed from a lower-quality base wood, plywood or chipboard core, and laminated with a veneer. This veneer is made from a better quality wood or plastic, giving an attractive finish and durability. The price is low, and they are available in a wide range of different colors and textures. Modern advances in the technology ensure that laminate countertops are virtually indistinguishable from solid countertops.

However, the major disadvantage of veneered countertops is that they are not particularly durable. Firstly, if damp seeps inside the countertop, then it will permanently warp and swell. You should always avoid countert ops with chipboard cores, and also reject any that do not have neat and close fitting veneer seams. In addition, hot utensils and cooking pots will melt most veneers, so you should buy laminate countertops with a certified heat resistant finish.

Concrete countertops are a much more resilient option than laminates, and are available in a range of surprisingly beautiful finishes. Rather than the dull gray associated with concrete, modern technology uses chemical paints and subtle stains to create an elegant option to fit into any kitchen design. Machining and polishing can give a smooth or subtly textured finish, almost as beautiful as solid stone. Concrete counter tops are extremely attractive, hardwearing and very hygienic.

The main disadvantage of this type is the price, and the finesse and needed for a beautiful finish means that concrete counter tops are difficult to manufacture. Every concrete countertop is individually crafted, so the process cannot take advantage of mass production processes. Concrete countertops are extremely heavy and the supports have to be extremely strong, again adding to the overall price.

If the concrete is poorly maintained, or suffers wide extremes of temperature, it is prone to cracking and splintering. In addition, the surface of the concrete is coated with sealant, to prevent liquid damaging the concrete, but hot utensils can damage this, allowing water to penetrate, often with severe consequences.

Traditional wooden countertops are the most beautiful of all the options, giving any kitchen a touch of style and elegance. Wood is robust and durable, also possessing natural anti-bacterial properties. Even if a traditional wood countertop suffers minor damage or staining, the damage can be gently sanded out.

The price of traditional wooden counter tops varies, depending upon whether you want softwood or hardwood. Hardwood is extremely durable, and will last for many years, but it is expensive and difficult to work. Cheaper softwood surfaces, whilst elegant, are east to scratch and dent, so will need regular maintenance, sanding and resealing. If you do opt for traditional wooden countertops, make sure that the wood is from sustainable sources, rather than endangered rainforests.

Solid countertops are an excellent mid-range option, blending durability with hygiene and price. Solid surface counter tops are fabricated from one solid piece of durable plastic or tough acrylic, similar to the modern plastic chopping boards. Acrylic is very mold and germ resistant, making solid surface countertops a preferred option in clean room environments, such as hospital kitchens. The reasonable price and the huge number of options in color and style mean that this type is growing in popularity.

Plastic countertops do carry some disadvantages that are worth bearing in mind. Acrylic and plastic are very prone to scratching and heat, and so cutting boards and hot pan rests are essential. However, solid surface countertops are easy to repair, and specialists are very adept at sanding and heat reforming the surface, to make it smooth and unblemished. Solid surface counter tops are not the most attractive option, but do offer many unique advantages, especially for ‘working’ kitchens.

Tile countertops are an often-overlooked option, but provide a beautiful finish and are within the capabilities of most competent DIY enthusiasts; anyone who can tile can make their own tiled countertops. They are extremely attractive and are relatively inexpensive, although custom-made tiles will rack up the price. Tiled surfaces are heat resistant and glazed tile will not stain or

Tiled surfaces are often prone to chipping and cracking, especially if thin, low quality tiles are used. Tiled counter tops are not suitable for clean environments, because crumbling, old grout can be a haven for microbes. Tiled surfaces, however well constructed, are uneven and unsuitable for some purposes.

Stone countertops, usually constructed from granite or marble, are the most attractive option and are tough, durable, and available in many colors and finishes. Stone countertops are the most resistant to germs and are easily wiped clean. Recently, engineered stone countertops, made from crushed quartz and resin combined in a vacuum process, provide another interesting angle. They offer the same advantages as stone counter tops, but are available in a much wider range of colors and styles.

The main disadvantage of stone countertops is the price, and they lie outside the budget of most homeowners. In addition, stone counter tops can crack and chip, although that does require a lot of force. Marble countertops are porous, prone to staining and will be eroded by acid, restricting the cleaning chemicals that can be used. Stone countertops are extremely heavy and require reinforced supports, further increasing the cost.

Where hygiene and cleanliness are an absolute priority, such as hospitals and restaurants, stainless steel countertops are by far the best option. Stainless steel is extremely durable, easy to clean, and offers no place to hide for bacteria and mildew. Even in home kitchens, it is common practice to incorporate stainless steel counter tops, often near the stovetop and sink, to protect less robust finishes from heat and moisture.

The major disadvantage of stainless steel is the appearance; it is sometimes used in contemporary kitchen designs, but its ‘institutional’ baggage means that other types are preferred in homes. Stainless steel is extremely expensive, outside the budget of most homeowners, although small sections are often incorporated into a kitchen design.

Countertops are available in such a wide array of designs and materials that choosing the best type can be difficult. Budget, hygiene and aesthetics are all major parts of the decision, and a practical kitchen is not always a beautiful kitchen, leading to compromises. Price is often the major barrier but, whatever type you decide upon, try to go for the best quality that you can afford. For example, a top quality laminate countertop will generally be better than a cheap wooden countertop.