Countertops

Showing 1-10 of 10 available products

Bamboo

Product Highlights: Good alternative to wood as bamboo grows a lot faster, so there is a greater supply.

Size/Capacity:

Price: $23 per sq ft

Pros: -Does well with moisture -Easy to clean

Cons: -Dents quickly if it is not fully matured; can warp in humidity -Can be troublesome to replace

Concrete

Product Highlights: Homeowners often choose a concrete countertop because it is easy to install and is easy enough to do it yourself, and can look like stone if it is colored and finished properly.

Size/Capacity:

Price: $90-130 per square foot and depending on style

Pros: -Easy to clean -Durable -Resists stains and water damage if sealed properly -Can be worked into different shapes -Resists scratches -Resists heat

Cons: -Has to be sealed well to resist stains -Cannot cut on it or it will leave marks -Quick temperature changes can cause newly installed countertops to warp

Customer Reviews: Yahoo! Answers Matt M: I have done a few concrete tops, material is cheap, but labor is quit intense. I got a few real good books and did a very nice top, it was a little complicated, not just a simple top. The thing that really made the top was that I polished it (messy, but really great finish.) I was proud of my work, everybody seems to love it. I would do it again for myself, but it seems cheaper for contract work to use some other surface. Frenchcountryplus: I have had concrete countertops installed for several of my clients. I personally feel that they are more suited for a contemporary or modern styled home. Theyr are very durable and cheaper than granite. They can be tinted in a variety of colors as well as have patterns stamped on them to represent brick, tile or cobblestone.

Glass Tile

Product Highlights: Glass tile is recycled glass that is mixed with concrete

Size/Capacity:

Price: $30 per sq ft

Pros: -Takes heat well -Does not stain

Cons: Has to be melted to be used- which takes up a great deal of energy Difficult to get a consistent color Can scratch, possibly shatter Difficult to install

Granite

Product Highlights: Granite is typically the material of choice for individuals who are modeling their kitchens. It is both hard and aesthetically pleasing

Size/Capacity:

Price: $50-125 per sq ft

Pros: Lasts long Every tile is unique Works well with heat so hot pots and pans can be placed on granite Many different colors Hard Natural Many colors

Cons: Must clean up spills right away or it could damage the material- especially on light colored countertop. It is a porous stone and it can stain. -Proper sealing can prevent this Can crack One of the most expensive choices. Heavy- which means if used on shelves, etc. then it needs to be able to hold the weight of the granite.

Customer Reviews: Yahoo! answers taximomuv3: We've had our granite slab countertops for 6 years now and they still look shiny and new as the day they were set. You'll dull your knife before you'll scratch the stone - the only drawback is that glasses have a tendency to break when they fall on them because,well, it's a rock. Corian and the like are losing their favor because they are higher maintenance than granite no matter what the salespeople tell you. You can't put a hot pot/pan on Corian or it'll burn, you can't cut anything on it or it'll scratch - it's just not practical for a busy family and it costs a fortune to repair. For the same price, go for the granite - you won't be disappointed!! Bert C: I think granite is only "delicate" while it is being handled and installed. Once the counter top is in place I beleive it is nearly indestructable. If what you really want is granite, just make sure that whoever is installing it knows what they are doing and does the job right. Then enjoy your wonderful new natural stone countertop!

Laminate

Product Highlights: Laminate is a good choice for people who want something that does not require a big decision or strong commitment, as itis cheap and is not meant to last a long time.

Size/Capacity:

Price: $3-$5 per square foot

Pros: -Inexpensive -Easy to clean -Easy to install -Doesn’t stain easily -Many Styles and colors

Cons: -Can be cut and burned -Cannot be repaired

Metal

Product Highlights: Some examples of metal countertop materials are stainless steel, zinc, and copper, etc.

Size/Capacity:

Price: $75-$150 per square foot installed

Pros: -Doesn’t stain -Takes heat well -Easy maintenance

Cons: -Expensive -Scratches show

Paper Composite

Product Highlights: Paper composite uses recycled paper certified by the FSC.

Size/Capacity:

Price: $30 per sq ft

Pros: -Heat resistant -Stain resistant -Doesn't cut

Cons: -Lighter colored countertop can be affected by UV light -Require maintenance -May stain

PaperStone Countertops

Product Highlights: PaperStone offers a variety of counter tops made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and cardboard and is certified to meet FSC standards.

Size/Capacity:

Price: $90 - $120 / sq. ft.

Terrazzo

Product Highlights: Terrazzo is made of crushed stone and glass. The class is often recycled glass. It can be installed or bought as tiles.

Size/Capacity:

Price: $7-10 per square foot

Pros: Durable Easy to clean Available in many choices Long-lasting (approximately 40+ years) Resists scratches

Cons: -Slippery surface (try to use non slip additives if you plan to match it as a flooring tile) -Not easy to install or do it yourself -Will etch with acidic foods -If a glass particle chips then it might create a sharp edge.

Wood

Product Highlights: Wood is a material for countertops that requires maintenance and careful use in the kitchen. It is appealing to the eye and also has inherent properties against bacteria build up, which makes it a sanitary choice.

Size/Capacity:

Price: $50 to $100 per square foot installed

Pros: -Good for lots of cutting -Sanding can eliminate scratches -Can be durable if it is maintained well -Easy to clean

Cons: -Turns black if exposed to lots of water -Must be sealed -Expensive -May warp

Customer Reviews: Yahoo! answers be_a_lert: It is absolutely not true that wood counter tops support the growth of bacteria. Woods surfaces actually support the growth of bacteria less than plastics! See http://www.johnboos.com/support/document... and just to show you that it is not propaganda http://faculty.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/facult... Wood is a bit more work to maintain, but it is not terrible. A cleaning followed by application of mineral oil is required periodically for oil finished tops. Poly finished tops just need cleaning, no more than you would have with any other top. Wood scratches easier than some surfaces, but it is harder than some others. You can sand anything out of a wood top, so if you do get scratches they are not permanent. Wood tops are available with two different kinds of finish, a polyurethane or lacquer (depending upon manufacturer) or mineral oil. The mineral oil finish is the traditional finish and is acceptable for direct food prep. The poly or lacquer is more durable, but is not suitable for food prep. Resale value will depend to some extent upon location, but it is something that you don't see in every house you are in, so it will have appeal to at least a certain number of people. If you want a wood top, go for it. vincent s: I made my counter top out of maple flooring I tore out of my house its over 100 yrs old very neat wood grains and because of the age there is very little shrinking and expanding. I use mineral oil on it once a month . the same mineral oil you use as a laxative. I tried linseed oil but it made the wood darker . both are recommended for butcher blocks.