Club Veracity

Kitchen countertopscan be made of a wide array of materials. When making the decision on what material to use, two things need to be taken into account. First is the consideration of how long the material will last. You don’t want it to become scratched, broken, or stained before it is time to redecorate, many years in the future. The second is beauty, which, as the saying goes, is in the eye of the beholder. Since you will be looking down on it for these many years, you want to make sure that what you like now will be what you still like then. One of the newest trends in kitchen decoration is zinc countertops, which resemble the color of bullet metals. Other commonly used countertop materials include granite, engineered stone, solid surface, ceramic tile, laminates, wood, stainless steel, marble, soapstone, and concrete.

Let’s discuss some of these. First, we will dicuss zinc. Zinc is purchased in flat sheets, cut to size, and molded to fit the space to create the backsplash and front curled edging. The zinc provides a shiny metal surface which will give your kitchen the appearance of a professional or restaurant kitchen. Is this the look you want? Some people do, with their love of professional-looking ranges and refrigerators. Not me. I want my kitchen to look soft and homey. I want it to look cozy and inviting.

Another countertop that has been popular in recent years is granite. Many people are enamored of the natural stone appearance of a granite countertop. It has the advantages of being hard and long lasting. It resists heat, which overcomes the main problem of many other countertops. If a sealer is applied, the material becomes almost maintenance free. My main objection to granite is its dull color. Personally, I really dislike ugly, gray counter tops. Its main drawback is its cost. As it grows in popularity, the price may come down.

One choice of mine is ceramic tile. I think ceramic tile gives a kitchen an old-fashioned, retro look. Ceramic tiles comein an almost infinite range of colors and textures. Since the tiles are small and placed individually, with some training, you can design and install your own countertop. Ceramic tile is heat and scratch resistant. The main drawbacks are that a tile can be cracked if a heavy object is dropped on it. Also, the grout can become dirty over time, necessitating a need for regrouting.

Another favorite of mine is the old friend, laminate such as Formica. This old favorite has been in use for close to fifty years. Laminate is a good choice because it is lower cost and comes in many colors. This range of colors provides another area where you can bring out your inner artist. The drawbacks are that the surface can be scratched fairly easily, and it can be tricky to get the front edge just right.

Another beautiful choice that lends a rustic look to the kitchen is wood or butcher block. This type of countertop is available in a range of natural earthy colors. It can be sanded and resealed as needed, but it can be damaged by water or heat.