Investing in your kitchen is one of the most important things you can do for your house but it’s a big investment that requires a lot of planning and saving. One of the most crucial aspects of picking a countertop is choosing the right countertop material for your kitchen. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to pick a kitchen countertop.
There are many kitchen countertop materials but there are three primary types of countertops to choose from. First are natural stone countertops, these are the most expensive types of countertops and they are usually the most durable too. Natural stone countertops are sourced from quarries worldwide and they are very valuable.
The other types of countertops are those that are made from synthetic materials and are made directly by manufacturers. Some of the types of these countertops include those made from metal, PVC, solid surfaces, and many others. Aside from being durable, another benefit to them is that they are very cheap as well.
Last but not least are engineered kitchen countertops. These are made by stone countertop fabricators and simply put, they are a mix between natural stone countertops and man-made countertops. They carry the benefit of both worlds and it’s easily one of the most popular countertop options currently.
An engineered stone countertop like quartz is very important because it continues to change the industry. It’s good that people have more options when it comes to countertops meaning that there are more options depending on your budget. If you are thinking about getting a countertop, there are a few reasons why you should choose engineered stone countertops.
Cheaper Than Other Types
A big benefit to engineered stone countertops is that they are a lot cheaper as compared to natural stone countertops. They may look and feel like a natural stone countertop but since they are man-made and are made from other synthetic materials, the production costs are way cheaper than usual. In general, engineered stone countertops are around $50 per square foot cheaper than natural stone.
It’s a great alternative option to natural stone due to its low price ceiling. If you are on a budget, an engineered stone countertop is one of the best options money can buy currently. Engineered stone countertops are cheap for a lot of reasons. Fabricators started making engineered countertops to answer a lot of problems that homeowners have with kitchen countertops.
A well-engineered kitchen countertop is going to cost you around $5000-$6000 at most – including installation. On the other hand, a natural stone countertop will cost around $8000-$10,000 at most. Despite being relatively cheaper than other countertops, the quality of engineered kitchen countertops is tough to beat.
Life Lasting Investment
Kitchen countertops are a big investment for your kitchen. They cost around thousands of dollars at their cheapest. This is why it’s very important that the kitchen countertop you buy is going to last your kitchen a lifetime. You wouldn’t want a major investment that only lasts a few years or so but the good news is that you can get this with engineered stone countertops.
Natural stone countertops are known for their durability and longevity. When properly cared for, that can last for decades inside the household. They are even able to increase their value over time which is why it’s better to get natural stone countertops as well. However, what if you don’t have the budget for it?
The good news is that engineered stone countertops last long as well. They can last just as long if not longer than natural stone countertops. Due to how they are made, you can expect an engineered countertop to last much longer than your entire house! You wouldn’t regret your money if you invest it in something like this.
Resistant To Heat, Stain, And More
If picking a material for your kitchen countertop, you should obviously get one that can be used for various purposes. Kitchen countertops are supposed to be capable of most of the things you do inside the kitchen. This includes kitchen prep work, cooking, and many more. They need to be capable of carrying heavy kitchen appliances too.
Engineered stone countertops are made to withstand all of the important kitchen duties. In fact, the only thing you can do with these countertops is that you should butcher meat on them. Don’t worry though as there are no other kitchen countertops that are recommended for such a task. If you want something like this, try to grab a butcher’s block for your kitchen.
Engineered countertops for your kitchen are going to be great for various purposes. Be it prepping kitchen ingredients, baking, and more. It’s something that’s going to be more helpful for your kitchen than you think. Even home chefs invest a lot of money in kitchen countertops such as ones made with engineered stone.
It’s Trendy
The trends with kitchen countertops change rapidly. Decades ago, it was granite that was at the top. Now, it’s seen right behind marble and quartz. As you can see, the trends can change quickly but the good news is that kitchen countertop that is engineered are just starting to become a part of the trend. It will take years before this leaves the trend.
Is it really important to get a kitchen countertop that’s trendy? What you get for getting a kitchen countertop that’s trendy is house value. If you get a countertop that’s about to be popular, you can expect that you’ll get more for what you invest if you plan on reselling your house eventually. Moreover, trendy countertops are very easy to source as well.
That being said, kitchen countertops that are engineered can be sourced very easily as well. Simply call your local fabricator for help and they’ll be able to provide you with the countertop of your choice. On the other hand, natural stone countertops can take weeks or months before it is delivered to your home. As such, you can have it installed very quickly inside as well.
Easy To Clean
Another issue with natural stone countertops is that they are very hard to clean. They are made out of porous materials that are very sensitive to stains. Porous means that there are tiny tiny holes that can be absorbed by the surface of the material. If left untouched, these will live a permanent stain on your natural stone countertop.
Engineered stone countertops are very easy to clean because the fabricators add binding resins that help in making the product more viable for the kitchen. Even if you leave a stain on the surface for a long time, nothing will happen. As for cleaning, you don’t have to worry too much about the countertop too.
Natural stone countertops cannot be cleaned with certain materials because if you use acidic cleaning agents, you could end up causing discoloration on the countertop material. Since engineered stone countertops aren’t made of purely natural stone, the surface isn’t as sensitive as natural stone countertops.
However, you’d probably want to stick with detergents and nothing like bleach because these can still cause problems for your engineered stone countertop as well.
Versatile Look
A major concern that people have with natural stone countertops is that they come in limited shapes and sizes only. For instance, marble comes in a few colors such as white and other light colors only. Manufacturers can’t add new colors to the countertops because it will ruin the overall look of the material but the same can’t be said for engineered kitchen countertops.
Due to the fact that it’s made with synthetic materials, engineered stone countertops can come in various shapes and sizes. Fabricators can incorporate many colors with the countertops they create which is great. Regardless of what color your kitchen is, you can find an engineered stone countertop that fits well with your kitchen.
A lot of homeowners have a tough time picking the right kitchen countertop for their kitchen because it’s often hard to find a design that fits. If you’re picking an engineered countertop, then you can make a countertop that fits your kitchen’s aesthetics without any problem. It’s a good fit for various purposes.
An engineered stone countertop is one of the most important types of countertop that you can now use. As you can see, there are many benefits to it that are tough to get over. If you are looking to get a new kitchen countertop, then getting an engineered stone kitchen countertop is probably the best option yet.
Durability, price, and many others. The amount of benefits you can get from an engineered stone countertop is one of the biggest investments you can make for your kitchen. Call a stone countertop fabricator near you and ask them about what types of countertops are similar to engineered stone.
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