5 Things to Know Before Buying Classic Countertops Manufacturer

May. 13, 2024

69 0 0

5 Things to Look for When Buying New Countertops

New countertops are a quick and effective way to enhance your kitchen's appearance. They can transform the space dramatically without requiring significant changes elsewhere.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website ROMA.

Think about the Function of your New Countertops

Your new countertops will serve as a flat surface for your kitchen items, but it’s essential to consider more than just this basic function. Would you benefit from countertops that can resist heat from pots and pans? Or, are you seeking a surface to complement a sleek new renovation?

Some countertop materials perform better than others regarding functionality, so keep this in mind during your research!

Look at your New Countertops’ Warranty

New countertops endure a lot of wear and tear, given their frequent use in the kitchen. A good quality countertop should come with a reliable warranty for repairs or replacements if needed.

Purchasing a new countertop is a significant investment, so ensure it’s protected by a solid warranty.

Don’t be Afraid to ask for Samples!

Showrooms and Pinterest can be great sources of inspiration, but envisioning those countertops in your actual kitchen can be challenging. Samples provide real-life examples and help answer the lingering question, "Will this look good in the kitchen?"

It’s worth asking for a sample, even if it comes at a small cost, to see how it fits in your space.

Take Your Time

Investing in a new countertop takes time, energy, and money. Don’t rush your decision due to aggressive sales pitches. Shop around and take your time to make a choice that best suits you.

Get Help from an Expert

With many styles, brands, warranties, and choices, choosing new countertops can feel overwhelming. Don’t get discouraged—expert help is available. Professionals can narrow down your options and provide recommendations that meet your lifestyle needs.

Exotic Stone offers an incredible range of products for your new countertops! Visit Classic Countertops Manufacturer for more details.

Things We Need To Know Before Buying Kitchen Countertops

Choosing the right material for your kitchen countertop can be daunting. You need to select a material that offers good durability and reasonable cost since the countertop can be a focal point in your kitchen. Various materials like quartz, granite, marble, and cement are available.

Some popular kitchen counter materials include quartz, granite, marble, cement, and more. We'll also help you find affordable options to match a slim budget, covering all crucial details you need before buying your kitchen countertop.

Types of Kitchen Countertops: Pros and Cons

Practically, you can choose from various materials for your kitchen countertop installation, such as quartz, granite, marble, ceramics, and more. Weighing the pros and cons of each material is essential to select the best one.

Quartz

Quartz kitchen countertops are highly popular in the high-end market due to their elegance and durability. Various brands like Silestone, MSI, Caesarstone, and Cambria offer quartz countertops.

Pros:

Excellent durability and hardness
Elegant aesthetics and added resale value
Low cleaning requirements
Zero sealing maintenance
Reliable antibacterial and anti-stain abilities

Cons:

Hefty price
Low heat resistance
Reacts with UV exposure
Veining designs differ from natural ones

Granite

Granite rivals quartz for kitchen and bathroom countertops. This igneous rock has superb strength and hardness comparable to quartz, though fewer design options exist. Overall, granite provides a deep, dramatic beauty in your kitchen.

If you are looking for more details, please visit Classic Countertops Manufacturer.

Pros:

Superb hardness and durability
Excellent heat and scratch resistance
Dramatic natural veinings and color tone
Easy to clean and maintain
Excellent non-porous abilities

Cons:

High price like quartz
Requires periodic sealing

Marble

Marble kitchen countertops enhance home design and resale value with their significant beauty. They offer intricate natural veinings and color specks. Available in various sizes, thicknesses, and grades, prices vary accordingly.

Pros:

Natural color variation and veinings
Smooth and polished surface for a luxurious effect

Cons:

Naturally porous and prone to stains, requiring sealing maintenance
Soft structure prone to scratches and dents
Hefty price

Soapstone

Soapstone, an alternative to granite, offers a milky warm aesthetic compatible with various home designs. Typically gray and white, it provides better hardness and non-porous ability than marble.

Pros:

Versatile design for kitchen renovations
Achieves a classic look
Easy to clean and resistant to water and stains

Cons:

Softer than granite
Often more expensive than granite
Limited color options

Solid Surface

Solid surface countertops are synthetic stones that substitute expensive natural stones. Made from pulverized natural stones mixed with synthetic compounds and a cement-based resin, they offer a viable alternative.

Pros:

More affordable than natural stone countertops
Aesthetics comparable to popular natural stones
Numerous color and design options
Minor scratches can be fixed by buffing or sanding

Cons:

Less resistant to scratches and heat

Porcelain

Porcelain countertops, widely used in Europe, are gaining traction in the U.S. Made from China clay, porcelain offers excellent heat resistance like granite.

Pros:

Excellent stain resistance and non-porous
Good chemical resistance
Excellent UV and scratch resistance
Durability
Plenty of design and color options

Cons:

Design and color are skin-deep
Weak against scratches from porcelain knives
Limited supply

Quartzite

Quartzite, often confused with quartz, has a surface similar to marble but durability comparable to granite and quartz. Many households use it for kitchen countertops and sinks.

Pros:

Aesthetics similar to marble
Easy to clean and maintain
Excellent hardness and durability
Resistant to UV rays

Cons:

Can be scratched with sharp objects
Low heat resistance
Some require sealing maintenance
Limited design and color options

Kitchen Countertop Ideas

Your kitchen countertop can be the focal point of remodeling projects. It’s essential to choose the best design to suit your kitchen. We have several kitchen countertop ideas adopted by many homes and commercial establishments.

Kitchen Countertop with Good Contrasting Colors

Choose a dark or light tone countertop to contrast with your kitchen area and appliances. Some households opt for vibrant colors like orange, lime green, or yellow. Classic black and white combinations, such as black granite or white quartz, are also popular.

Kitchen Countertop with Distinct Patterns

This idea works perfectly with minimalist kitchen designs. A uniquely patterned countertop can be the focal point amidst a simplistic setup.

Kitchen Countertops with Thicker Slabs

Modern kitchens favor thicker slabs ranging from 2” to 5”. This creates a stunning centerpiece. Adjust the height of your cabinets to complement the thicker slab.

Kitchen Countertop – Wrapped

A wrapped countertop is popular in modern kitchens. Contrast your countertop color with other fixtures and appliances for a cohesive look.

Wrap the sides of cabinets and top kitchen walls with the same material and color for an astonishing impact.

Minimalist Approach – Two-Tone Countertop

Chefs and bakers popularized this idea to distinguish between hot and cold areas. Choose two types of countertops for your kitchen renovation for a functional and stylish look.

Naturally Curved Kitchen Countertop

Add a unique touch with a curved, organic-looking countertop, perfect for island setups with seating. Rustic brown or black colors blend well with wooden cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Quartz kitchen countertops, a focal point for remodeling, offer various designs and versatile applications. Customers favor quartz for its positive traits like durability and aesthetics.

Average Cost

The main drawback of quartz countertops is their high price. The average cost is $75 per square foot, but this varies by grade quality.

Low-grade quartz: $50 to $65 per square foot
Medium-grade quartz: $65 to $75 per square foot
High-grade quartz: $75 to $150 per square foot

Waterfall Quartz Kitchen Countertop

This design creates a seamless, continuous look. Combining it with a wrapped kitchen design for the cabinet sides and top wall results in a superb modern appearance.

Snow White Quartz Countertops

A white Caesarstone quartz countertop gives a clean, lucrative ambiance paired with stainless steel appliances.

Black Quartz Kitchen Countertops

For dramatic flair, black quartz countertops are ideal. Consider a two-tone black and white kitchen design for a standout look.

Popular Brands of Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a top choice for countertop materials due to its stain and scratch resistance. Popular brands offering quality countertops include:

Caesarstone
Silestone
Cambria
Okite
Santa Margherita Quartz
Zodiaq
Granite Transformations
Viatera
Concetto
IceStone

Granite Kitchen Countertops

Granite countertops offer durability and functionality similar to quartz. Their natural veinings and color specks create a dramatic look. Granite is versatile for various applications but excels as a kitchen countertop.

For more options, visit Classic Countertops Manufacturer.

Average Cost

Granite prices vary based on grade quality, size, thickness, design, and supplier. Generally, the cost ranges from $40 to $60 per square foot. Different grade levels have specific prices:

Level 1: $40 to $50 per square foot
Level 2: $50 to $60 per square foot
Level 3: $55 to $65 per square foot
Level 4: $65 to $75 per square foot
Level 5: $75 to $100 per square foot

Common colors include white, red, black, and blue, with natural veins of gray, gold, and blue. Customers often prefer the bold veins of gray, gold, and blue over the richly colored surface.

Granite Colors and Prices

White Granite: Widest range of choices, easy to cut, affordable (average $40-$60 per square foot). Examples: Snow Fall, River White, Bianco Romano.
Black Granite: Ample options and accessible supply, affordable ($20-$70 per square foot). Examples: Nordic Black, Premium Black, Black Galaxy.
Red Granite: Starting at $65 and above, more expensive due to rarity. Examples: Bordeaux, Red Dragon.
Gold Granite: Level 2 granite, priced between $40-$75 per square foot. Examples: Niagara Gold, Colonial Gold, Venetian Gold.
Blue Granite: Most expensive due to rarity and fabrication difficulty, priced $70-$100 and above. Examples: Blue Eyes, Blue Bahia, Spectrus.

The three common patterns of granite are marbled, speckled, and solid:

Marbled: Mimics polished marble, often appears without sealing maintenance.
Solid: Rich, full-color granite with fewer specks and veinings.
Speckled: Lively appearance, best fits kitchen appliances and cabinets.

Granite finishes generally come in polished (indoor) or honed (outdoor) textures.

Modern Kitchen Countertops

Modern kitchen countertops enhance home aesthetics and resale value. Knowing the latest trends ensures an attractive, durable kitchen renovation.

Quartz and Granite

Both quartz and granite are top picks for kitchen countertops, offering strength and aesthetics. Your final choice will depend on preferences.

Veining Designs

Advanced technology allows veining and patterns on man-made stone countertops, creating stunning character for any stone surface.

Leathered or Honed

The countertop finish affects its overall beauty. Many households prefer glossy or leathered finishes for a mirror-like appearance, eliminating the need for wax or polish. The honed finish conceals scratches and dents for a rough, natural texture.

Backsplashes

Complement minimalist countertops with vibrant and colorful backsplashes. Larger slabs with bold patterns and veinings create a striking visual effect.

Kitchen Countertop Materials

Choosing the best material for your kitchen countertop involves considering price, durability, heat resistance, cleaning, and design. Know the types of countertops available before making a decision.

Granite: Offers impressive strength and scratch, heat, and stain resistance. Easy to clean with simple maintenance. High price and annual sealing are the main drawbacks.

Quartz: Comparable to granite in strength and beauty, with more design and pattern options. Low heat resistance and high cost are the downsides.

Soapstone: Known for its warm, milky appearance. Develops an antique patina over time. Requires oil treatment to maintain rich color.

Marble: Prized for unique slabs and polished surfaces. However, it’s prone to scratches, chemical reactions, and is costly.

Solid Surface Stone: Synthetic stone with excellent stain, scratch, and spill resistance. Imperceptible seams even with small slabs. High price and low heat resistance are disadvantages.