Countertops And Cabinets

Countertop Choices Are Ample To Fit Any Kitchen

By Jeanna Freeman, Memphis Commercial Appeal

Kitchen countertop options — from granite to wood — can fit any design style, purpose and budget.

Granite: Granite’s durability makes it a lifetime investment. It is a popular choice in defining elegance in today’s kitchens. It can add significant resale value to your home; it resists heat, scratches and stains (when sealed properly) and comes in a range of patterns and colors.

However, it’s pricey, and requires some maintenance (although some new sealants claim to be maintenance-free). Save money by opting for remnant slabs or using it only in certain areas. Keep in mind, granite tiles can be a less-expensive alternative and can also be used on floors, fireplaces, swimming pools, Jacuzzis and hot tub areas.

Quartz or engineered stone (a composite of 93 percent quartz particles and resin that mimics natural stone and comes in a variety of colors): This is a stain-, heat- and scratch-resistant surface with low maintenance requirements. Edges and corners can chip, and it can be expensive. (Check out Silestone or Cambria.)

Solid surfaces are durable, non-porous countertops that provide a seamless look and a choice of edges. The most familiar is Corian, but there is also Avonite and Swanstone, both available locally. Scratches can be removed by sanding; a variety of colors and patterns are available. It’s in the moderate price range. Hot pans can damage the surface.

For a green product, consider Icestone, a strong durable surface like granite, made from 75 percent recycled glass chips and material from landfills. It’s safe for food prepping and is heat resistant. It’s free of volatile organic compounds and comes in 27 colors or a customized color palette. Pricing is comparable to granite. But this is a unique product that can be installed vertically or horizontally and used for floors, showers, table and desktops.

Contemporary countertop styles lean toward the sleek, professional look of stainless steel and the modern high-tech look of concrete.

Stainless repels heat, stains and rust and gives the option for a seamless effect with an integral sink. However, it shows fingerprints, dents and scratches. Choose a grain or matte finish to make these issues less visible.

As for concrete, it will resist heat and stains if a penetrating sealant is used. Customize the look with textures and dyes. Price range is from $100 to $150 per square foot.

Laminate still remains the classic inexpensive countertop choice. This versatile surface is low-maintenance, stain and grease resistant. The price ranges from $15-$60 per running foot. Choose from a multitude of colors, patterns and textures, plus designs that mimic metals, stone and nature. Damage from cuts and hot pans makes repairs difficult.

Take time to do your homework and lay out your samples to ensure a perfect fit with cabinets and paint selections.

Jeanna Freeman of Collierville is a designer with 38 years of experience. She has taught classes in design and has done commercial and residential design locally and internationally. To read more from her or chat with her online, go to Midsouthmoms.com and click on “Mom talk.”

Your investment in a soapstone counter top deserves the proper care and maintenance. This will ensure the countertops good looks endure through the years.

Initial Soapstone Countertop Care

When you receive your new soapstone counter top, the finish will have been sanded smooth to a fine finish. Under a microscope the finish will appear to be a myriad of fine scratches. Still the finish is solid and non-porous. Likely you will want to darken the sanded finish with a coating. The usual recommendation for that coating is mineral oil, also known as liquid petrolatum, is a by product in the distillation of petroleum when producing gasoline. If mineral oil is used, it will not be ‘permanent’ on the first or second application. It may take many, many applications to arrive at a stable condition.

There exists a more permanent material that can be used for this initial application. The product is Soapstone Sealer and Wood Wax, an all natural mixture of pure walnut oil and carnuba wax. This product will coat or ‘seal’ the soapstone counter top on the very first application. The product is applied like a paste wax, wiped off and in a few days it offers a coating that is relatively permanent and uniform. Under a microscope it can be seen that that the coating now fills the myriad of scratches that exist on the soapstone surface giving the surface a darkened look or having a patina. The product offers the additional benefit of having no Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no petroleum products as part of the contents. It can also be used to condition cutting boards and wooden bowls.

Soapstone Counter top Maintenance

Since soapstone is a relatively soft stone, it will scratch somewhat easily. These scratches can be addressed with a new coating of Soapstone Sealer and Wood Wax. The sealer will fill in the scratch and make it appear as the rest of the surface. The polymerized coating of the oil and wax mixture will stand up to the usual soap and water cleaning of the counter top. Therefore, no special care is needed to maintain the coated soapstone counter top.

At some point in time, after a few years, if the counter top has been scratched severely, it may be desirable to refinish the stone with a uniform sanding with a suitable abrasive. After that process is completed, the Soapstone countertop should be recoated with the Soapstone Sealer and Wood Wax as if it were a new surface.

article source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countertop

Avanza countertops and the more well known silestone countertop are both alternatives to a natural stone countertop, like granite. An Avanza kitchen countertop will possess some of granites qualities but Avanza offers other benefits as well…

Why Buy Avanza Countertops

Your kitchen deserves the same décor attention as the rest of your home. After all it’s the room where you spend most of your time. And the best way to add those finishing touches is with Avanza Countertops.

The countertop you choose will play an important role in the tone of your kitchen and what mood you set. Choosing your countertop will be the most important decision you make regarding your kitchen. Not only do you want your kitchen countertops to look great but you also want them to last forever and to be easy to maintain. There are many popular countertop materials on the market but Avanza’s natural quartz stone is truly second to none!

Avanza continues to grown in popularity not only because of its beauty but also because of its great reputation for a quality product and its superb product selection.

There is nothing quite like the look and feel of stone. It’s crisp, clean, bold, and innovative! And it’s perfect for the home that’s busy and wants a durable countertop that can be quickly wiped clean and look great in a minute.

There is no other product on the market that captures the true essence of natural quartz like Avanza. The depth and clarity of the quartz adds class and sophistication to any kitchen. There are more than 30 sensational colors to choose from and the Italian inspired designs which have had the finishing touches added by American designers are an instant hit!

Because these countertops aren’t porous stains are never a problem. The smooth surface doesn’t need to be sealed. It’s easy to clean and it’s scratch resistant. All you need is a damp cloth to wipe up messes. It never needs to be polished and it always looks its best. Avanza is so strong because it is made from natural quartz. There are few natural substances that are stronger. After all it is the fourth hardest mineral in the entire world.

To clean the counter all you need is a damp cloth and if it’s a sticky spot use a little detergent. Not to worry – soda, tea, wine, fruits, and vegetables – they won’t stain your countertop. If you get a real stubborn stain that won’t lift with warm soapy water use a cleanser like Bon Ami. You can also use a scrub pad if you like. There’s no worry about damaging the quartz. Heavier stains like gum or paint may require you to scrape away using a razor blade.

There are 30 different color options. Choose red, gray, tan, brown, black, or any number of shades in between. Will that be Abruzzo or Verduno? The wonderful choice of shades means there will be a countertop that will fit every color scheme.

There are also three edge thicknesses to choose from – 1 ½” or ¾” Bevel, Bullnose, Ogee, Square, or Waterfall, or 1 ¼” Bevel, Bullnose, Ogee, Square, Triple Pencil, or Waterfall.

When it comes to decorating, your kitchen deserves your full attention just like every other room. So while you are busy giving your kitchen a new paint job, some updated accessories, be sure to make the most impact with your new Avanza countertops. They’ll get noticed!

Author: Joanne Dorin
Joanne is an author of Decorz.com. If you’re looking for more countertops & decorating ideas for your home and garden visit www.decorz.com.