What to Know Before Deciding on a Kitchen Countertop

There’s a lot that needs to be done before a final decision is made on what kind of kitchen countertop you choose. Not only do you have to settle on a material, but a color, shade, and pattern all need to be considered. Whether or not the countertops are professionally installed is a consideration, as is how you will manage any ongoing maintenance required. Of course, price is perhaps the largest factor in most people’s decisions. Kitchen countertops can vary by thousands of dollars, and whichever countertop you choose will have an impact on your home’s value.

Choosing between different countertop options can be overwhelming. The size of the kitchen design market has grown so much in recent years, and companies have endless selections of countertops. It’s vital that homeowners go into the decision aware of what’s out there and what difference their choices will make. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you should know before you decide what countertop is for you.

1. Understand the Basic Material Differences

These days, there are a ton of different material options. There are the more well-known choices like granite, quartz and marble, but there’s also a lot to choose from when it comes to limestone, soapstone, slate, tile, aluminum, wood and other countertop materials. Just know that there’s no perfect choice for everyone. Each material has pros and cons that need to be weighed before you buy. Quartz, for instance, is a durable material that’s more affordable than high-end natural stone. It’s customizable, which consumers love. However, quartz isn’t the most heat-resistant countertop out there. Granite, on the other hand, stands up well to heat. People love granite because each countertop is unique and it’s a classic luxury look. It’s on the pricier end and will need regular sealing and polishing. Marble is often considered the best of the best when it comes to looks, but it’s a high-maintenance material.
Know the pros and cons of each of the common countertop materials before you go into shop. It will help when you see the difference in price so you can know if it’s worth it for you. Commit to doing the work up front on materials, you’ll thank yourself down the road.

2. Be Honest with Yourself on Maintenance

We all know people who swore they would love a big yard, but now mowing it all the time in the bane of their existence. Overestimating our commitment happens to the best of us. We see something and think we will take care of it no matter how much work it takes. Some countertops require more work than others. Quartz is one of the lowest maintenance countertops on the market, and marble is on the other end of the spectrum. With quartz, all you need to do is basic cleaning. A wipe-down with soap and water will get the job done because there are no pores in quartz surfaces that can trap dirt and liquids. Even if you have the money, don’t buy marble countertops if you know deep down you can’t be bothered to care for them meticulously. All you’ll end up with is stained or chipped expensive countertops. You may regret getting them in the first place. Take stock of how often and how much you can honestly expect to clean and service your countertops. Buy something that fits that profile and you’ll be happy with your decision for years to come.

3. Keep the Kitchen’s Overall Design in Mind

When you’re shopping for countertops, don’t forget that you’ve got a whole room’s design on the line. Countertops are often the highlight of a kitchen but need to mesh in well with the rest of the room’s accents. There’s a lot to take into account like paint color, appliance style, and light access. Marble’s famous for holding and reflecting light. It brightens a kitchen naturally and makes things almost seem to glow. There’s a reason marble’s in all the five-star hotel lobbies. Quartz is great because it can be manufactured in almost every color, so if you have a slightly off the wall design idea, quartz can match your vision. Kitchen countertops should be part of a larger overall design strategy. Too many people end up regretting buying their countertops too early in the remodel or build process and then having to adjust on the go. For more information, visit slab market to learn about different countertops and which one’s best for you.

4. Decide Whether to Go Professional or DIY

The choice to use professional services in a kitchen remodel or new kitchen build is a big one. Obviously, hiring out a design team, or even just a countertop installation company will cost you more than if you did everything yourself. If you’ve got the experience, go for it. There are actually quite a lot of tools available for free these days to help with design. Virtual interior design planners are almost everywhere, including a lot of big-name retailers. You can plug in different countertop or appliance options to see what they’d look like in your kitchen. It’s a great way to try before you buy. A word of caution, though. A lot of people who don’t have experience try to go the DIY route to save money. It’s not always the best choice for kitchen countertops. You can end up with broken or cracked stone slabs that you’ll have to pay a pretty penny to replace. You would have been better off having the pros handle it so the whole experience would have been stress-free.

Outfitting a kitchen should be fun! It’s a great way to reward yourself or your family for all of your hard work. People dream all the time about making the perfect kitchen for them, and you’re one step closer to that reality. There’s a lot that goes into making the countertop material decision. These are just a few hints that should help you along the way.