Kitchen countertops can make a smart style statement
There are may choices for kitchen countertops, but the style or tone of your kitchen will likely drive some of the decisions.
By BILL LAHAY
At first glance this doesn't make much sense. There are at least as many options for appliances and cabinetry, the costs are often higher, and the features for those products are just as varied and complex.
But appliances can be swapped out easily, and once you get a handle on the materials choices and finish options for cabinetry, that decision proves to be a straightforward one.
From their color and cleanability to the tactile sensations on your fingertips, they involve nuances that can make you love 'em or hate 'em.
Complicating matters further is that at this stage of countertop evolution, there's hardly a bad one in the bunch.
Aside from the obvious benefit of having more options, this steadily growing field has yielded more competitive pricing and happens to dovetail nicely with an increasingly popular design trend – using more than one countertop material in the same kitchen.
So now it doesn't matter if you can't narrow your choice to a single favorite. You can simply pick two or three that give you the looks and features you want.
If your kitchen is big enough to have specialized work zones such as a baking center or a stir-fry station, the countertops can be selected accordingly. A laminated maple block is flour-friendly and great for working bread dough, while stainless steel is a tough and practical choice for the hot oils from wok cooking.
Newer generations of high-pressure laminates, such as Formica, NevaMar, WilsonArt and others, can mimic the most exotic natural materials or offer a unique contemporary look that doesn't pretend to be anything else. Though the best new varieties are pricier than their simpler predecessors, laminates still represent one of the most affordable choices in countertops.
Even the options for "natural" materials aren't as simple as they used to be. Polished granite slabs have been a favorite of homeowners for at least a decade now, but honed varieties – with a matte rather than gloss finish – have an understated look that often works better with traditional styles. And now modular granite tile and edging systems, as well as prefab granite overlay systems (Granite Transformations is one example) give you the look without the bulk, weight and cost of slab stone.
The style or tone of your kitchen will likely drive some of the decisions about countertops. Virtually all of the "mainstream" options are heat- and stain-resistant, and most will scratch from direct knife cuts but otherwise fare well in use.
But not all can pull off a particular period or historical look in a vintage home, or create a contemporary industrial flavor for a new urban loft.
It's out of favor among some folks, but ceramic tile excels at conjuring a cottage or Arts and Crafts décor. Aiming for the simple charm of a centuries-old European farmhouse? Include some Carrara marble with its wispy gray streaks and creamy white tones.
Mixing three countertop materials can create a really interesting look, but be sure to establish a hierarchy so they aren't competing for attention. Pick one to be clearly dominant in volume and effect, then use the others more sparingly to define separate zones or workstations in the kitchen.
This not only makes more aesthetic sense, it might help your budget. Let the more affordable choices cover the biggest areas, and splurge for the high-end goods on an island or workstation that won't need as much square footage.
Basic laminate countertops comprise the entry price point at about $20 to $30 per square foot installed. Premium granite, engineered quartz and solid-surfacing materials represent the higher end, ranging from $75 to around $200 per square foot installed. Keep in mind that you pay for fabrication time as well as raw materials, so complex custom work will always cost more.
Even if you don't choose to mix materials, try to vary the countertop heights so the zones accommodate different activities as needed when sitting or standing.
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