Kitchen Countertops Factors

Selecting a countertop for your kitchen in Toronto is not as simple as ordering a slab of granite or buying a formica counter anymore. There are a wealth of options to choose from and before you swipe your credit card, there are a few factors that you must consider.

The Options

It’s no longer limited to Marble, Granite and Laminate. Some of the newer kitchen countertop materials like Quartz, Solid surfaces, Recycled Glass, Bamboo, Recycled paper, copper, zinc and stainless steel are lesser known. The more choices you have, the easier it becomes to find one that’s ideal for your kitchen.

Your budget

Kitchen countertops are the most expensive part of the entire kitchen remodel process followed by cabinets. So, the first thing that you’d want to do is seek estimates for the various options. You may like to have a stunning single slab of granite or the latest Quartz countertop installed. But may not be ready to make such a huge investment at this point in time. So, you’ll have to look for other options. Thankfully, there are enough choices for the budget minded remodeler too.

The Aesthetics

The importance of aesthetics cannot be underestimated in a kitchen. If durability were the only factor to consider, then there’d just be tough non-porous rocks in place of the beautiful countertops we use. With technological advancements, almost every countertop surface is available in a plethora of colours, patterns and designs. Based on your budget, shortlist at least four different countertops that you like.

The Usage

Do you like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen for cooking? How diligent are you about cleaning? Is your kitchen a high traffic area? Maybe you entertain guests in your Toronto kitchen. Do you have children in the house? Are you paranoid about a kitchen knife accidentally marring the counter? The answers to these questions will help you stroke off at least a couple of options from the shortlisted ones. For example, if you like a spotless surface devoid of scratches, then natural stone should be an apt choice for you. You can stroke off other materials like wood which is prone to scratches. On the other hand, if you like a surface that is not priced as high as natural stone but offers the same benefits, then you can opt for Corian or Solid surfaces.

Maintenance

How frequently can you clean the kitchen countertop? Almost every countertop surface must be cleaned daily to avoid germs from breeding. But some surfaces demand more frequent attention than others. For example, if you have decided to install a granite slab, then you’d want it to remain stain free. And you must be particularly careful about abrasive liquids like lime juice on such surfaces. Surfaces like Granite and Marble also demand frequent sealing to reduce the absorbency of the stone.

It’s better to do your research and choose a countertop that’s perfectly suited for your kitchen in Toronto. So take your time and make an informed choice.