Kitchen countertops are spaces that are very heavily used and must maintain their sheen and shine in order to have a beautiful but functional Kitchen. There are different options to consider at different price ranges and I will highlight some of the most common and available options.
1. Tiled finish to Kitchen counters
Tiles are some of the most hardy and easy to clean surfaces out there. They are also pretty affordable and easily accessible to most people. They handle water and cleaning agents very well. The most commonly used tiles for Kitchenettes are ceramic tiles and Granito tiles. When using tiles on Kitchenettes, it is important to ensure that appropriate adhesives are used to avoid the tiles peeling off from the surface. The only con to this material choice is one needs to use many pieces to fill the surfaces so you will eventually end up with joints. It’s important to keep these as tight as possible (Zero joint) to avoid them as they aren’t visually appealing and can trap dirt.
2. Concrete finish
As a lover of the concrete look finish, this will always be a favourite for me. It is made from a poured slab that has been polished to give the finished look. It has an industrial vibe and is definitely very difficult to destroy. The main con to this is it can stain. It is important to keep it sealed using a sealant and to clean the surface often, leaving it to dry.
3. Terrazzo finish
This is an improvement on the concrete finish for people who prefer to have more colour in their lives. A terrazzo finish incorporates the use of differently coloured aggregates in white cement which can also be coloured to match your style. It offers the same benefits as the concrete finish with the benefits of customisation.
4. Granite finish
A granite finish is considered a more luxurious finish to the countertop. It comes in a variety of colours. It is easy to clean and does not stain if people keep up with cleaning after use and spills. It also comes in 6ft slabs and therefore does not get many joints during installation which can be filled using a sealant to have a seamless finish.
5. Marble finish
Marble countertops definitely bring elegance to a kitchen. They are however, not for everyone but they come in a variety of colours and therefore one is bound to find the one that suits their kitchen. The only con is that it can stain if the spill is left on too long so it’s always a good idea to clean as soon as spills happen.
6. Wood finish
Need a more natural look? Wood is always a good option as it’s easily available and not difficult to install. The choice of wood is important because the idea is to have a harder wood that is less affected by water and bigger pieces to avoid joints, although these can also be sealed. The top surface should also be sealed to avoid ingress of water.
7. Natural Stone finish
This is the ultimate countertop as long as you are willing to plane it to shape. It offers a durable natural look to the kitchen and is definitely a bold style choice. They are also low maintenance. Note that depending on your sourcing they can be hard to find and install and very bulky. You also need to ensure that the supporting structure can take the weight. If done well, this look is very interesting and will definitely make your kitchen a statement.
I hope this blog has been helpful, Build Wisely!
