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Optional Kitchen Countertops for Your Home Remodeling Project

Whether you’re ready to start swinging a sledgehammer or just thinking about remodeling your kitchen, it’s important to do a little research before making those important design decisions.  Take your kitchen counters, for example.  Not only do you a material that can stand up to knives, hot pots and pans, spills, and everything else your family can dish out, you also want them to look beautiful doing it.

So to help you along, here are the pros and cons of 5 popular countertop materials.

Quartz – Touted as one of the most durable countertop options around, quartz is available in a variety of colors and can even mimic the look of granite. ProsQuartz is stain and bacteria resistant, doesn’t require sealing, and laughs at knife cuts and cracks. Cons It’s a more costly option and is not as heat resistant as crushed glass and granite. It can also discolor over time in direct sunlight. The lighter the color, the more noticeable the seams.

Granite – Eye-popping, tough, and a favorite among prospective home buyers, granite can easily fit into a world of design styles. ProsIf sealed annually, granite can resist stains and look as beautiful as the day it was installed. It’s also chip and crack resistant and can withstand heat from pots and pans. ConsAlthough it is tough, it’s not indestructible. A hard enough clunk can chip the edge of a granite counter, requiring it to be polished down. If not sealed regularly, it can stain. And because it’s a natural stone with unpredictable variations, an installed slab may look quite different than the sample you picked out.

Recycled Glass – Recycled or crushed glass is an eco-friendly option made from recycled beer bottles, windshields, and traffic lights. It can be set in cement or acrylic. ProsRecycled glass counters are heat, chip, scratch, and stain proof. They don’t need resealing and won’t discolor over time. ConsThey’re pricier than other options like granite and can crack under too much weight. Citrus and other acidic juices can eat away at the acrylic if not wiped up right away.

Laminate – Available in nearly infinite patterns and colors, and more durable than ever before, this is not your grandma’s laminate. Pros It doesn’t require sealing, is stain resistant, and can mimic everything from granite to wood. ConsLaminate counters can scorch, crack, and scratch much more easily than the countertop materials it mimics.

Solid Surface – Solid surface countertops are made from acrylic, polyester resins, and even marble dust. ProsAvailable in many colors and patterns, they’re non-porous and don’t require sealing or special cleansers. If scratched, they can easily be sanded out. ConsIt’s a pricey option and doesn’t have the warmth and charm of quartz or granite. It can scratch and burn easily and is energy intensive to manufacture and difficult to recycle.

You know what all of the above suggests?  That your ultimate choice is probably going to come down what looks and feels the best within your price range.  Isn’t that always the way?  Oh, and if your kitchen project is underway or nearly at that point, why not give us a call.  Here at Connor Plumbing, we can handle any of the plumbing your project requires.  And, if you’re thinking about switching from an electric to a gas range, we also can install a gas connection in your kitchen or anywhere else in your home you might need one.  Contact Connor Plumbing today for a free quote or to request service.

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