Woodshop Projects

Kitchen counter tops get a lot of use and abuse over the years. They usually end up with the brunt of some knife marks, soily stains and perhaps some chippings. They seem to last forever but there actually will come a time when they do have to be replaced or upgraded. So when it is time to replace or update your kitchen counter top, what is the best choice?  

What choices are there for new counter tops in today’s market?   

Actually the choices are immense and the pricing is as well. There are inexpensive options and there are extremely pricey options also. It all depends upon your style preference, your budget, and of course how bad you actually want your kitchen at home to look good with that counter top in there.    

Among the top choices, the ceramic tile counter top:   

Ceramic tiles are fired and done is a large range of colors and designs. They can act as the statement piece of your kitchen as they really allow you to be creative with your designs. You are guaranteed with a counter top that will last a lifetime if you choose ceramic as it is virtually scratch, water and fire-proof. Be extra careful when placing your breakable tableware on top though, as ceramic is very hard and could leave you with a lot of chipped plates and broken glasses. The only real drawback to using ceramic is the grout – food particles easily cling to them and they are very difficult to clean once they are soiled.     

The budget-conscious choice:  

If your budget is in jeopardy then the plastic laminate counter top is a good choice. It comes in various colors and textures with many options to choose from. They are also conveniently available in preformed type which makes your remodeling job so much easier. The downside of these tops is the durability.  They can be easily damaged and stained so they just do not last as long as the more expensive choices.     

What are the other available choices?  

There are the stainless steel counter tops which are heat-resistant and very durable, although prone to scratches and dents. Another favorite choice by many is the popular butcher block counter top which is composed of oak or maple wood strips. This counter top is less likely to break your kitchenware and looks very pretty in your kitchen, but they are more likely to get burns, stains or dents, as already mentioned. Stone counter tops are also very beautiful and is most appropriate if you do a lot of baking, but they are very expensive to purchase and install. The solid surface counter top is made of acrylic or possibly polyurethane. They are impervious to water, stains or molds, and any dings or knife cuts can be fixed immediately by sanding. These traits are enough for them to last like an entire lifetime, but they do come at a very high price.    
        
Probably one of the finest counter tops you can possibly install is the Granite top. It has durability, beauty, longevity, and is resistant to stains, water, mold, scratches, and burns and chipping. Even though it is an expensive choice it will last as long as the kitchen itself.     

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