How Do I Select a Countertop for My Home?
Go Shopping! DuPont™ Countertop Compatibility Profile can help you decide which countertop surface material is right for you and your home. Load the Countertop Selector Shopping Tool and based on your answers, their proprietary software will match your responses to characteristics of the most common countertop choices. Nine different countertop surface choices are considered.
If you may want your new kitchen to be casual, rather than formal, consider solid surfaces that are matte in finish, as they will blend with the other colors in the room. Try a solid surface countertop with Diamond Cabinetry for an affordable, but luxurious, solution.
If you want your kitchen to have old world charm, then take a look at cabinet colors in deep green, blue and black as well as neutral tones. They are the perfect complement to any countertop style!
If your home is very traditional, beware of high-tech countertops. To maintain a balance with the rest of the rooms in your home, pick a color from the wall or from fabric used on a nearby dining chair. You can easily find a matching color in laminate or solid surface. If you want to be a little more adventurous, a Granite countertop is a natural fit for this style.
For a clean, minimal look, use the countertop to add a touch of style and texture. If you prefer the look of stone, try Quartz, which has the beauty of Granite, but is easier to maintain.
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“When we bought our Quartz countertop from Kitchens and Interiors, they went the extra mile to get exactly what we wanted. Their attention to customers is great!”
-Bill and Gwen Coon,
St Johns
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Laminate. Granite. Quartz. Marble.
What is the difference?
Laminate is the most economical type of countertop, but can be edged and fitted with features, such as an under mount sink, to look like quartz or granite. Although less durable than other types, laminate is available in a variety of colors that mimic the variations in natures finish.
Hard Surface Countertops
Granite is –quite literally- as old as the earth. It is formed from liquid magma, the molten rock still found at the core of the planet, cooled slowly to form a substance approaching the hardness and durability of diamond. Granites are formed of an aggregate of crystals that are molded together without any inter space between them or which enclose one another. While they differ in color texture and crystalline structure, all granites share three essential minerals: Feldspar (50% or greater), Quartz (25-40%) and Mica (3-10%). Because these minerals occur in different proportions, each granite countertop has its own color, texture and structural characteristics. With natural material like granite, a certain amount of “movement” or grain in the stone must be expected. Many people find this flow and blending of colors to be the most compelling reason for using granite. Plus, granite is heat, scratch and stain resistant -the best overall value. Call Kitchens and Interiors for a cost estimate.
DuPont ™Corian®, LG HI-MACS® and Meganite™ are the classic "solid surface" countertops, easy to live with and easy to care for. Made from a durable nonporous acrylic polymer, they come in a wide array of colors, allowing you unlimited design options. Solid surface countertops resist stains, scratches, sunlight and heat. They are a sanitary surface that does not promote the growth of mildew and bacteria.
 Because it's solid all the way through, it cannot peel or come apart, and minor dings are easily repaired with scrubbing or light sanding. And because seams are few and inconspicuous, they create a sleek, uninterrupted surface. Add a matching sink in the same material, and you can sweep stray crumbs right into the sink - there's no lip or seam to catch debris or harbor dirt.
Quartz is a manufactured product with more consistent coloring and durability. Unlike granite, quartz does not need to be sealed because its polished surface is non-porous and scratch resistant. Spills from coffee, wine, lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar or make up are easy to wipe off with soapy water or a mild household detergent without fear of staining. Quartz is available in a wide spectrum of colors that range from traditional shades to bolder hues not found in nature. Combine colors and edge profiles to create the look you want. Quartz is great on vanity tops, shower walls, furniture tops, fireplace surrounds and so much more! Visit one of our showrooms and take a sample home.
Cultured Custom Marble is primarily used for bathroom vanities and fireplace surrounds. It is not recommended for countertops but if used in this manner, maintenance and preventative care should be factored into the buying decision.
Concrete countertops are gaining in popularity as many homeowners are taking advantage of its flexibility and ability to incorporate other functional features such as integral sinks, drain boards and butcher blocks. Concrete countertops are either pre cast or built on site. They are made of cement, lightweight aggregates, and a combination of additives such as fiber reinforcement, silica fume pozzolan, and acrylic. Some type of reinforcement is used such as structural steel, wire mesh, fiberglass, and/or fibers. They are cured and often ground to remove the surface "skin" with progressively finer diamond polishing stones. This achieves durability and beauty. The final step is sealing.
Stainless Steel countertops are competitively priced compared to solid surface materials and less than marble and granite. They are 3-4 times more costly than laminate but unlike laminate, will last almost indefinitely. Stainless tops are made from 16-gauge stainless steel and mounted in the same way laminated or solid surface tops are by fastening from the cabinet to the top.
How Do I Care For My Countertops?
Probably the biggest fear people have of natural stone is its maintenance. Truthfully, natural stone requires about the same level of care and maintenance as any countertop or floor, and certainly no more than natural wood products like tables and chairs.
The best care you can give your natural stone is preventative care. Preventing stains or scratching before they happen is far easier than getting rid of them after the fact.
Granite countertops are surprisingly resilient to stains, and practically impossible to scratch. But, as a preventative measure, wipe up any spills on the countertops within a reasonable amount of time. Don't let liquid sit on countertops overnight. Granite is most prone to staining by oil and acid, so blot these spills up soon after they happen, and then clean the stone with mild soap and water.
Marble is not recommended for countertops and tabletops because it is easily stained by acidic foods like fruit, tomato sauce, coffee, and wine. If maintenance is needed, blot, do not wipe, any spills immediately, and then clean with mild soap and hot water. Do not set hot pans directly onto marble and always place a mat or pad between marble and anything that might scratch it, like a pan or utensils. Finally, using coasters between marble and any glass containing acidic compounds like fruit juices, wine, or coffee will keep it looking new.
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