How to Choose a Countertop

 I have talked, in previous articles, about some things that you can do to improve your kitchen a step at a time as budget allows. I did an article on how to choose a new kitchen faucet, a way to improve not only the look but functionality of your kitchen without spending a lot of money, and the different types of sinks to choose from. In this continuing discussion today I want to talk about counter top surfaces. I consider myself an expert on this subject because I am so old that I have lived and experienced all of the current choices and some I haven’t listed like the “dry sink” we used back in colonial American days when I was a child. OK so I wasn’t around in dry sink days but I was when the “early American” furniture craze was at its height during the 50’s and 60’s and yes my ex-wife and I had an authentic southern pine dry sink in our dining room. She got it in the divorce and because she didn’t know where the kitchen was or what it was used for I doubt that she ever figured out what the dry sink was either. Bitter? Who me? NAH!
I grew up in an old family home in Atlanta where I experienced the first type of counter top, linoleum, and although I mention it I do not advocate in any way the use of it today. The following are the current most frequently used forms of counter surfaces.
1. Linoleum, originally developed as a floor covering somehow it made its way to the tops of counters adding color and durability to the old kitchen. The major problem was if you put a hot pan on it you burned it badly. Additionally it cut easily and so predicated the use of a cutting board. The good part was it was cheap. Linoleum is still available today and if you are a baby boomer, like me, and into the “retro” look you might want to explore it for the kitsch factor.
2. Butcher block was probably the first form of countertop to be used. Beginning with its use in butcher shops and commercial kitchens it made its way into kitchens as a durable and utilitarian surface. No cutting board needed, if it began to look dingy and worn you just simply sanded it down and it looks like new. The down side to butcher block is that it easily breeds bacteria and must be kept sanitarily clean at all times. It also can be VERY expense for a large kitchen.
3. Formica, After World War II with the advent of plastic research, laminated counter top surfaces came into being. More commonly known as “formica”. Formica is a trademarked brand name for the most frequently used counter top surface but laminated products are available from many manufacturers under many names, colors, finishes and surfaces. The upside of laminated surfaces are they can be very good looking, reasonably priced and durable. The downside can be, as with linoleum, burned and cut if used without a cutting board. These can be made a few different ways. Full custom fabricated on either particle board or plywood. Most use particle board with a contact adhesive. Usually your particle board and contact adhesive top will last your a good 15 years or more. The other type is a post formed countertop where they roll the front edge and can also roll the backsplash in a one piece deck. This leaves a nice clean roll on the edge and splash so no grime collects. These are a nice very cheap option to any other materials. I'm sure this is why laminate is the most popular material for countertops still and probably for a long time to come and are the easiest form for the do-it-yourselfer to handle.
4. Stainless steel is the big jump from restaurants to the home kitchen and is primarily for the homeowner that has more money than sense. While stainless makes a beautiful and urable surface for any kitchen it is VERY expensive and anyone that has much experience with it can tell you that it looks great when kept clean but can be a major effort to keep it that way. We have stainless steel appliances in our kitchen and crave, everyday, our old painted appliances back. Stainless shows every fingerprint, spec of dust or grease that comes close to it. If absolutely married to the idea that you want stainless steel for countertops in your kitchen look to using it in just one area where you feel it would be the most functional and in conjunction with a solid surface or stone surface for the rest of your kitchen.
5. Granite is the latest rage in countertops. I like the unique patterns, colors and the pure beauty of granite. Granite can be extremely strong easily broken if not supported properly. This is where a lot of misinformation comes about on granite. A good granite supplier will tell you the advantages of each type of granite. Some are just a nightmare in the kitchen but look wonderful while others are easily stained and must be kept sealed, usually at least annually. That is fine for some people who don't actually use their kitchens other than for show. My ex-wife would love granite for that reason. Granite is porous and will suck in stains and bacteria, this is why we seal it, to closes the pours to reduce the stains and bacteria growth. If you immediately clean the surface you will eliminate problems with either.
6. Solid surface materials are very versatile, less expensive than granite and durable. By definition you can think of the solid surface class of countertops as being man made stone. The most famous and the original product is call “Corian”. When installed the seams can be filled and sanded so that the entire installation is seamless even in corners where you would normally see a mitered section. Additionally if it becomes worn for any reason it can be sand and refinished back to its original beauty. In comparison to granite it is far less expensive, much more durable, easily kept clean and no sealing is necessary. Bacterial has no place to grow with in this material. Stains are almost impossible on this material as well. I feel that these surfaces represent the best value.
7. Engineered stone, this material is almost in the middle of solid surface and granite. Typically 93% quartz and 7% resin binder, this material is at heart a stone. Its mixed together and formed under a giant press with heat to form slabs like granite. It is then processed like granite with the surface polished and then distributed to fabricators the same way granite slabs are. There are even newer versions of this same process that utilizes broken colored glass for the stone chips. This makes a great “green” surface which is colorful and durable. The advantage to this material over granite is the uniformity and the strength of the material. There are no fissures or deformities that could cause it to fail. If it happens to fail most manufactures warranty there material.
8. Ceramic tile is the last on my list and as far as I’m concerned should be on the par with linoleum. Of course it is durable and less expensive than most other options but it is difficult to keep clean. The grout lines porous and subject to staining and bacterial growth and if a tile breaks for any reason it can be a major hassle to replace. I strongly suggest if you opt for ceramic tile that you keep all of the extra tiles left over. If you have to replace a broken or damaged tile the likelihood of finding one that will match color and sometimes size wise might be impossible. It is an easy do it yourself project, I'm assuming why it is still being used.
9. Preformed Concrete, gaining popularity in both kitchens and bathrooms, concrete counter surfaces can be a more affordable choice over stone or solid surface materials. Concrete is durable, seamless and offer a wide variety of colors and almost any shape or design can be accomplished.

I hope this has helped you understand some of your choices for countertop surfaces. As with all of my blog articles I welcome your comments and suggestions for improvement and any questions that you might have