Choosing The Best Countertop Material
Posted on: 7 February 2018
Updating the countertops in your kitchen cabinet is a very smart upgrade. Your kitchen is largely defined by the cabinets, and cabinets are largely defined by the countertops. So, if your countertops have not been updated for years, your entire kitchen is going to look dated and out of style. So, you can refresh and update your kitchen with a new countertop. But, what material is going to be the best for your kitchen needs? This article compares composite and raw stone countertops.
Raw Stone Countertops
There are many great stones used for countertops. Quartz, granite, marble, concrete, and slate are all popular stones for kitchens. Of course, all of these stones are slightly different in their style, strength, and maintenance. The maintenance is perhaps the most important thing to take into account, especially in a kitchen. Since you countertop is going to come in contact with a lot of moisture, raw food, and bacteria, some products just aren't practical. That is, natural stone products are usually porous. Even a slightly porous stone, like quartz, needs to be sealed to protect from normal kitchen wear and tear.
Resealing stone is actually easy, but it is something that many homeowners forget to do on a regular basis. When this happens, the pores within the stone can harbor bacteria that leads to mold formation. This is obviously something you don't want to worry about if you are prepping raw food on your countertop. Regardless of what natural stone you choose, it will inevitably need to be cleaned and resealed often over the years.
Composite Stone Countertops
Composite stone countertops are much easier to maintain than real stone. They have a non-porous surface that is more water resistant and less susceptible to mold formation. Of course, you will still need to regularly clean your countertop to prevent mold, especially if you are prepping raw food on it.
Composite stones are usually made out of a variety of different materials, but they are made to look as much like real stones as possible. Most composites consist of ground up stones that are held together with lightweight epoxy that is tinted.
Composite stones usually don't have the natural beauty and pattern of raw stones, but at a fraction the price, they are a great alternative. And, with the easier maintenance, many homeowners are going to prefer composite products. It largely comes down to your budget and ability to properly to maintain whatever product you choose.
For more information, contact a business such as Countertop Place The.
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