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What kind of kitchen countertops do YOU need?

For a lot of families, the kitchen is the hub of the home. For this reason, home owners usually have a vision of their dream kitchen. In order to build your optimal kitchen, you'll need to be able to identify the specifications that you expect from your new kitchen. To start your process, check out some common options for kitchen countertops. Depending on how much you cook at home, you may want to consider some different alternatives.

Image via decornorth.com

Laminate 
          Pros
  • Made from paper blended with resins, fused to particle board
  • $10 - $30 per sq ft 
  • Low maintenance
  • Easy to clean
  • Light weight - does not require a strong cabinet base
          Cons
  • Easily stains, burns, and scratches
  • Can start to peel from wear and tear
  • Can be difficult to repair 
  • Can not use with undermount sinks

Tile
          Pros
Image via www.houzz.com
  • Ceramic or porcelain tile available
  • Tons of styles and colors available 
  • Cost effective - $10 - $80 per sq ft
  • Tiles can be replaced fairly easily if damaged 
  • Durable against heat, cutlery, and staining
          Cons
  • Uneven surface - not as effective for someone who cooks often
  • Unsealed grout is susceptible to staining
  • More difficult to clean with grout cracks 
  • Grout can retain moisture and cause bacterial growth

Quartz
          Pros
Image via www.houzz.com
  • Made from resins blended with quartz chips and tinted with color
  • Non porous, essentially maintenance free, no sealing required
  • Can be susceptible to scratches and burns, but able to sand out
  • An array of colors are available
          Cons
  • Does not appear as a natural stone unlike something like granite
  • Can be more pricey, although it is very durable 
  • $40 - $90 per sq ft

Granite
          Pros
Image via www.houzz.com
  • Natural stone look with a variety of colors and patterns
  • Extremely hard stone
  • Appears pricey and elegant
         Cons
  • Expensive - $35 - $100 per sq ft
  • Because granite is directly cut from a larger slab, it does not look exactly like the sample
  • Needs to be sealed every so often 
  • Burns, stains, and knife nicks are hard to fix

Sources
www.houzz.com
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