When selecting a new countertop, keep in mind that this year’s hot color is a rich, dark brown, for a sophisticated elegance and a natural look. Most people would immediately say that granite countertops are the best there is in terms of durability and overall aesthetic value. They may be right, but new technology has been developed to create natural looking countertops from engineered quartz. The high cost of granite is mostly attributed to the cost of its labor-inducing installation, while the increasing cost of quartz comes from the material used.
Each stone has its good and bad qualities:
• Natural stone products won’t fade in sunlight, but laminates over engineered quartz can help increase the longevity of a countertop.
• Color variations are more prevalent from slab to slab in granite, whereas engineered quartz has a more consistent look.
• Unsealed granite is naturally more porous and can lead to bacterial growth, stains and water spots, so it’s recommended to seal a granite countertop. Since regular use of cleansers can remove the seal over time, homeowners used to be forced to seal a granite countertop at least twice a year. Technological advances have brought about a new kind of sealant that actually creates a mechanical bond on the surface to guarantee it lasts for more than 10 years.
Other countertop options include ceramic, porcelain and glass tile. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are made from pressed clay, but the color in porcelain tile goes all the way through the tile and is not just baked into the surface. Porcelain countertops are thinner than natural stone and are now made in extra large formats. Over the years, the texture, dimension and color of porcelain stone has improved its look, and it can be a more cost-effective alternative than natural stone countertops.
Glass tile is not considered durable enough for use on a countertop but can make for a unique and eye-catching backsplash for surrounding areas.
Keep in mind that tiled countertops are set in place with grout, and lighter colored grout does not hide dirt and grit as well as darker colored grout, and the grout color should compliment the color of the tile.
Carie Schelfhaudt works as public relations coordinator for Communicators International, Inc., a marketing communications firm in the Old Port, where she helps numerous clients in the tile and stone industries. She can be contacted at cshelfhaudt@yahoo.com.