A guide to buying a kitchen counter top

Kitchen counter tops are one of the most important parts of your kitchen. With the variety of designs and materials in the market today, counter tops can fit any budget or requirement. This article gives a basic guide on buying kitchen counter tops. There are six kinds of counter top materials available in the UK markets nowadays.

Main varieties

Stone The most common natural stone used in kitchen tops are granite, soapstone and slate. The most popular by far, are granite counters. These look both stylish and are easy to maintain. For cheap granite counter tops, you can contact a wholesale granite dealer. These come in a wide range of colours and are stain resistant. Slate and soapstone counter tops have a much limited range in colour. In addition, soapstone is porous and must be treated. Marble counter tops are used selectively due to their high costs. Solid surfaces These include acrylic, polyester or a combination of both. A new entrant is the quartz counter top. It is highly resistant to stains and scratches. It can be easily repaired by sanding out any scratches or burns and filling out any gouges. Its biggest advantage, though, is the fact that it can be custom-made to any design or pattern. Plastic laminate Also known as Formica counter tops, these are primarily made of craft paper which are impregnated with resins. They are available in many colours, patterns and textures. Since they are available at a low price range, these can be a good choice if your budget is limited and you are going for cheap counter tops.

Other varieties

Tile Tile is easy to clean and it is cheap. These are excellent to use where splashes are more likely to occur. It is ideal for the wall behind the stove where you often need to wipe. Other places for its use are the kitchen island, the wet bar or over the counter top sink. Make sure to distinguish between floor and wall tiles.
Wood Although not used widely, wood counter tops can be used for a rustic kitchen. They can be used for secondary surfaces like a dining area, a chopping block or for cupboard fronts. They need a good polish or varnish. One disadvantage remains the high maintenance that they require. Concrete You can have custom-built tops that are cast right in your kitchen or you can go for pre-cast concrete counter tops. To counter concerns of cracking, fabricators use other materials to strengthen them. When choosing your kitchen counter tops, decide on your budget first. Explore the market for cheaper alternatives, but buy counter tops which are both enduring and easy to maintain.