Topping Expectations: Kitchen Countertops Increase Your Options

More than a practical space for meal preparation and chores, it can be the heart of afternoon gatherings and late-night conversations. Naturally, a space that hosts so much activity needs to cook up a combination of convenience and inviting good looks.

Countertops hold a key to your kitchen's atmosphere and performance. This deceptively simple detail can make the difference between an attractive, inviting work space and an area that fails to live up to your high standards.

There exist five basic kinds of countertop materials: laminate, solid surfacing, natural stone, ceramic tile and wood. Before making a decision that will affect your kitchen for years to come, familiarize yourself with the different aspects of these materials and choose the one that will best suit your family's needs.

Probably the most popular countertop surface in America, laminate supplies a tough, inexpensive covering with an extensive range of color and pattern choices. Constructed of plywood or particle board covered by a thin layer of laminate (layers of melamine and phenolic resin-impregnated paper fused together by heat and high pressure), this surface offers plenty of stain, abrasion and moisture resistance. It is, however, susceptible to scorching by hot items and damage from sharp objects, and it can be difficult to repair.

Laminate countertops can be finished with either a high-gloss or a flat finish, though the high-gloss option tends to highlight scratches and other damage. Edge treatments are another important design consideration. The conspicuous brown joint line in the edges of laminate countertops can be eliminated by adding a decorative molding or de-emphasized by other special edge treatments.

Versatility, in its wide range of color and finishing choices, defines solid surfacing, another prevalent countertop material. Made of a combination of acrylics and polyesters, this material has an appearance and texture similar to that of stone, and it offers the advantage of repairability. Minor damage, such as scratches and burns, can be buffed out with an abrasive pad or fine sandpaper. Solid surfacing is the only countertop surface in which one isolated area can be repaired without replacing the whole countertop. Further, its seamlessness looks attractive and simplifies maintenance.

Design possibilities are endless with solid surfacing. In addition to a range of color options, this material allows all sorts of creativity. Connie Gustafson, a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) at Minneapolis-based Sawhill Custom Kitchens & Design, Inc., encourages home owners to use their imaginations and make the most of solid surfacing's flexibility. Combinations of blocks of different colors can breathe vibrant life into a neutral kitchen; unique patterns can be incorporated for personal flair. As with laminate countertops, the high-gloss finishes tend to show scratches more readily and, therefore, should be avoided in high-use kitchens.

Natural stone, such as granite, marble or slate, presents a third option for countertop elegance. One of the most expensive countertop materials to buy and install, it is strikingly attractive, long-lasting and extremely heat resistant. Some stone counters are available in 3/4-inch slabs, but 11/4-inch slabs will allow enough support for 12-inch stone overhangs, and they'll be less likely to become damaged during shipment.

With natural stone countertops, scratches and other damages are difficult to remove or repair, though granite countertops are not as susceptible to scratches as are marble countertops. Further, these porous surfaces are subject to staining. Sealing them may help to protect against the damage of everyday use.

Ceramic tile, the price of which varies widely, offers a virtually limitless array of color, texture and shape possibilities. Because it can be painted by hand or styled in any number of ways, ceramic tile serves as an ideal accent material; for example, as a decorative backsplash. Because it is heat and scratch resistant, tile can also be a practical choice for the countertop itself. You can place a hot pan from the stove directly on the surface, as well as cut directly on it.

The main disadvantages of tile are its susceptibility to cracking and chipping, and the fact that its grout lines are porous and likely to stain. If the grout is not sealed, it may also discolor and accumulate bacteria. According to Kari Hedstrom of Minneapolis-based Fantasia Showrooms, anything porous should be sealed. She explains that ceramic tile must cure for a couple of weeks after installation (during which time care should be taken not to spill on it and stain the grout) and then the grout can be sealed.

The warm sheen of wood countertops can add a nice glow to any kitchen. Not only do wood countertops exude a rich visual texture, they also offer plenty of flexibility. They can be finished, left unfinished, refinished now and then, and cut and sanded to different angles or levels of smoothness. These surfaces are somewhat fragile, however. They scratch, stain and burn easily; they are very susceptible to heat and water damage (causing warps and cracks); and they can be unsanitary unless disinfected, allowing bacteria to build up.

With the variety of countertop materials and treatments available on the market comes the knowledge that there are no right or wrong choices. Gustafson reminds her clients that a decision about countertops is very personal; what works well for one family may not be the best choice for the family living next door. She advises those who are considering building, remodeling or redecorating a home to consider the following factors as they weigh their many options: function, budget and aesthetics.

Choose products that will work for--not against--your family's lifestyle. Allow your budget to guide your decision, but remember that a more significant initial investment will most likely pay off over time and the life of your home. Finally, remember that even the most budget-conscious products are available in a plethora of colors and textures. You should be able to tailor your countertop to fit your needs perfectly and achieve a look that lives up to your expectations.

Sources: Connie Gustafson, CKD, and Tim Aden, CKD, CBD, Sawhill Custom Kitchens & Design, Inc.; Kari Hedstrom, Fantasia Showrooms; American HomeStyle Kitchens and Baths, Kitchen & Bath Custom Planner, Fall 1995; National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA); DuPont Corianr; Wilsonart International.