If you are contemplating having new kitchen countertops installed, it is essential that the right material, color, texture, and design be chosen. That way, you would end up with countertops that look gorgeous, but also countertops that are functional for the type of food prep and cooking you do. Interestingly, many people will spend good money on new kitchen countertops but never research things they should and should not do. As a result, some will end up with a product or look that falls short of expectations and needs.
We wanted to offer some important information so when you get ready to buy new kitchen countertops, you can make educated decisions. With this, your hard-earned money would go toward a look and functional product that is perfect for you. The process of choosing and buying kitchen countertops should not be difficult and by following a few general guidelines, you will find the entire decision-making process is much smoother.
Do’s
• For starters, you want to make sure you consider the way in which your kitchen is used. While style is certainly important, the functionality of the kitchen is even more important. Based on this information, you would then know the type of material that is going to work best. As an example, if you have smaller children, chances are that dishes are dropped as little hands try to get them from the cabinets or that dishes are not placed down on the countertop gingerly but dropped. Because of this, you want countertops that can handle force. In this case, ceramic tile would be a bad choice whereas laminate would be a great solution.
• In addition, consider the length of time you plan to live in the home. For instance, if you wanted to have new kitchen countertops installed for your enjoyment and you plan staying in the home for 10, 15, or 20 years or longer, then you could choose a material, color, texture, and design that goes with your style and personal preference. However, if you needed to have new countertops installed because you plan to sell in the next year and the old countertops are in bad shape, the goal would be to choose a moderately priced product in a neutral color. Obviously, you want the new kitchen countertops to be a selling point but without spending a fortune.
• You also want to consider the warranty or guarantee that comes with the kitchen countertops chosen. The more reputable companies back every product manufactured and sold. That way, if there were a defect or something were to happen covered by the warranty/guarantee, you would not be losing money out-of-pocket.
• Finally, make sure you consider all the benefits of the material being chosen for your new kitchen countertops. Again, if you have children, spilled food and drink is common. For this reason, if you were to choose a material that is not stain resistant, it would be no time until your new countertops look horrible.
Don’ts
• Although there is nothing wrong in choosing something different or unique for new kitchen countertops but you want to avoid being sucked into buying a “trendy” product. Over the past 10 years, the various options for kitchen countertops have changed dramatically. Many of the changes have withstood the test of time while others were popular for a short amount of time. The better option would be going with a tried and true material, product, or manufacturer but then choosing something unique from within the product range offered. That way, your new kitchen countertops will never go out of style, regardless of the kitchen’s style or decorum.
• You also want to avoid buying new kitchen countertops from the first company you find. We strongly recommend that you look at the reputable companies already established but even if you wanted to purchase countertops from a new company, spend time to shop around. Often, taking the time and putting in the effort to comparison shop will not only open up opportunities but also save money.
• The last thing you should avoid when buying new kitchen countertops is not considering the room as a whole. Sometimes, homeowners will find a countertop they like and without giving any thought to the flooring, cabinets, appliances, lighting, etc, they have it installed only to discover it actually diminishes the rich look of the room, almost making it look cheap or unbalanced. If the entire room were being remodeled, you want to coordinate the kitchen cabinets, flooring, and countertops as a unit. However, if you were simply having new countertops installed, make sure you choose a material, color, texture, and design that would support and complement the existing cabinets and flooring so you end up with a cohesive look.
Important Considerations of New Kitchen Countertops
Instead of a drab, outdated room, new kitchen countertops can bring life into this very important room of the home. Study after study shows that the kitchen is the hub or heart of the home, the one room where people congregate most. In addition to being where the food is, the kitchen tends to be a room where kids like to do homework, teenagers hang out, and adults entertain. Because this room is so important and plays such a huge role in most homes, it needs to look great but also be functional.
One way of achieving the look and functionality you want based on the way your kitchen is used is by having new kitchen countertops installed. The process of buying countertops is actually exciting and fun thanks to the huge selection of options now available. Many years ago, homeowners had limited choices but today, you will find thousands and thousands of colors, textures, and designs, not to mention innovative manufacturers eager to create something unique but also affordable for homeowners to enjoy.
As with any new purchase, when buying kitchen countertops, some key elements should be a part of the decision-making process. By including these elements in your search, you will ultimately find exactly what you want, but also what you need. For starters, whether the kitchen is used solely for cooking, as a workspace, or for entertaining, or all of the above, remember that price is usually the most important element. The good news is that even if you have a relatively tight budget, thanks to all the latest developments you can purchase amazing kitchen countertops without breaking the budget.
Another key element in buying kitchen countertops is material. Some materials are excellent for resisting stain, heat, cracks, etc while others make bad choices. Because new countertops are a financial investment, it is imperative that the right material be chosen so you get the most for the money spent. In other words, spending good money on kitchen countertops that are notorious for absorbing stain would be a huge waste. The first time food or drink were spilled, an ink pen left out, or something else were to happen, the countertops would be damaged. Therefore, make sure the ultimate choice you make is going to offer the best stain, heat, crack, and moisture resistance possible.
The finish is also an important element to consider for new kitchen cabinets. For instance, some materials are naturally shiner than others are which could take away from the look of the room. A perfect example is laminate. Today, laminate is a popular choice for kitchen countertops in that it is heat and stain resistant, it lasts a long time, it is affordable, and it comes in such a huge range of colors, textures, and designs. However, most laminate countertops are also shiny so they reflect light. If you want the kitchen to have a homey, more traditional appearance, then you would need to be careful as to the finish of the material chosen.
Finishes are also important in the way they perform. If you had a country style kitchen and wanted to enhance it with butcher block countertops, it would be important to know that wood absorbs stains. Therefore, trying to keep your new butcher block countertops would be an ongoing and uphill battle. However, you could purchase a newer type of butcher block countertop, which is varnished. In addition to making wood far more stain resistant, this actually provides a stronger and more durable surface that is excellent for resisting heat. Again, more important than appearance, just be sure to consider the type of functionality you need from the new countertops.
You may even go as far as looking at “green” countertops, those made from harvested or recycled materials as a way of supporting a cleaner and healthier planet. In fact, since there are now so many people involved with the “green movement”, finding countertops made to coordinate with the rules is actually easy. You will also find that the price for “green” countertops is typically no more than you would pay for any other material.
A great example of environmentally-friendly countertops would be those made from bamboo. Unlike trees that do not reach maturity for 30 years, only to be cut down and destroyed, bamboo is a gorgeous and strong grass that is harvested. Therefore, every five to seven years, the grass is cut, leaving the plant itself alone to again reach maturity for harvesting. While some “green” materials used for kitchen countertops are a little more expensive than “non-green” materials, long-term they are the better investment.
