Your kitchen is one of the most central areas in your home. It’s where you spend time with friends and family, coming together to enjoy a meal you’ve prepared, or where you entertain houseguests during a holiday party. Naturally, when remodeling your kitchen, you’ll want to improve the areas that have the most visual appeal for your visitors. For many, this area is the kitchen countertops.
This isn’t an uncommon sentiment. In fact, the Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found that countertops were the top feature that homeowners splurged on. Switching up your countertops can make a world of difference for the look of your kitchen.
To help you make your decision, we’ve listed some pros and cons of the more common countertop materials. Read on to learn more about your remodel options.
Preparing for your kitchen countertop remodel
Starting a kitchen remodel isn’t as easy as picking out a design you love and hoping you can recreate it. In order to be successful, you’ll need to consider many factors before you get started.
Before your remodel, ask yourself some of these questions:
- What do I absolutely need to have finished for this remodel?
- What is my budget?
- How much space do I need?
- How am I planning to use my countertops?
- What dimensions do I have to work with?
- Is there a specific style or look I want?
- Do I want to do maintenance regularly?
Kitchen countertop remodels may take some time depending on the materials used, so you will need to have a backup plan for your kitchen. Are you going to sustain yourself on take out for a week, or will you need to go to someone else’s house to cook? No matter your choice, you don’t want to be caught trying to decide last minute when a remodel takes longer than expected.
Kitchen countertop materials
Granite
Granite countertops have slowly become a modern classic. While once seen as a luxury option, granite is becoming more and more common in kitchens. The material comes in thousands of color iterations, making it easy to match your kitchen decor. It also is incredibly durable and will last for a lifetime. This helps add a sense of value to your kitchen that homebuyers will appreciate.
While the price has come down some, granite is still a more expensive option than other countertops. You will also need to keep in mind the hardness of the material — using knives on the surface will result in them dulling. This can cause bowls and glasses to break easily on the granite as well.
Concrete
Common in farmhouse remodels, concrete adds an industrial appearance while still keeping a homey feel. The rise of modern style has led to a recent surge in popularity for concrete countertops, easily providing a sleek look for your kitchen. Concrete can be tinted to match many color palettes and provides a workable hard surface with a soft texture. It’s a great choice for those with unique needs for their countertops too, since concrete can be shaped to fill any surface shape.
For frequent cookers, you may be wary of concrete’s ability to stain and scratch easily. Even if sealed properly, grease stains are common on concrete countertops. In order to maintain a spotless appearance you’ll need to be vigilant about cleaning and resealing your countertops. Concrete requires some patience too, as it takes 28 days to fully cure.
Butcher block
For the at-home chef, butcher block provides a kitchen’s worth of cutting board space. Not only does wood add a warm appearance, it serves as a functional workspace. Your aesthetic doesn’t have to suffer either, since the numerous types of wood allow for differing colors and finishes to suit your preferences.
Butcher block doesn’t come without its imperfections. As with all wood, butcher block cannot tolerate being wet for too long without rotting. It is also not impervious to heat or stain the way other materials may be. While it does provide a beautiful appearance, butcher block will require regular maintenance to retain its look.
Are you looking to add to your home’s value and beauty with a kitchen countertop remodel?
Contact Elite Renovations. Our expert contractors can help to bring your dream kitchen to life.
