COUNTER TOPS
Durability and Allure Are Pricey –
But the Countertop is Important, Don’t Short Yourself!
The biggest cost in your kitchen remodel, whether it be minor or a total overhaul, an apartment or giant kitchen with a wet bar, is usually the countertop. Countertops, along with cabinets, can cause major grief and headaches if they aren’t done exactly the way you had imagined.
Countertop choices are seemingly never-ending and can be overwhelming. As you try to sort through every option imaginable, here are the key features that many homeowners consider to have at the top of their lists.
Look/Design – Everyone has their preferences here, just keep in mind that beauty, as always, comes with a price tag.
Chip resistant – Is the material you want prone to damage from the simplest drops?
Stain-resistant – Accidents happen, make sure whatever surface you decide to go with won’t be ruined from one, clumsy accident.
Heat resistant – Are you going to be facing disaster from a few seconds of a hot frying pan coming in contact with the surface?
Acid/caustic material resistant – Will your surface of choice suffers damage from coffee, alcohol, lemons, or certain cleaning materials?
Cut resistant – Some materials can almost serve as a giant cutting board, others can be cut into if you’re not too careful.
Daily maintenance – How easy is the surface to keep clean? What about making it shine? They are not one and the same
Long-term maintenance – Are there costs to look out for in order to keep your new countertop looking new for a long time?
Resale value – What can/will the countertop you choose to do for your home value should you decide to sell?
Cost – Perhaps the most important. Countertop costs have a huge range depending on the material used. Are you getting the most bang for your buck?