Sep 12, 20235 min read

7 Questions To Answer Before Choosing A Countertop

Are you planning to remodel your kitchen on a budget and fit in your kitchen design? With the holidays just around the corner, the magic will take place on the kitchen countertops.

Finding the one that fits your needs can be challenging. Let’s go to work!

Why Investing in Your Countertops is A Good Idea

The kitchen is well-known to be the heart of the home, and choosing the right countertops is imperative.

One of the highlights of your kitchen is your countertops. When it comes to selecting the material, it’s not just about how it looks. You want a countertop that is practical AND meets your needs. Yes, you can have both.

It’s an investment you’ll want to keep for a long time, and your sense of style and needs will influence the right countertop for your home. Every countertop material has its own set of pros and cons.

How do you select the right countertop for you?

Here Are The 7 Questions To Answer Before Choosing A Kitchen Countertop:

1. What Is My Budget?

Before shopping, do your research to figure out how much you can spend on your kitchen remodel. Look at your finances to see how much money you will give towards the project. Now, consider how long you plan to live in the home and how much value you want to add back into the space. From there, decide on your dream countertops and then look for a version that meets your budget.

2. How Much Time Do I Have For Maintenance?

Before falling in love with a material’s beauty, ensure you understand the maintenance requirements. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Oiling and sealing porous materials like marble, limestone, and granite once a year is required.
Other materials, like quartz, can be cleaned with warm water and mild soap.
Butcher block is a strong material, but it needs to be sealed regularly to minimize deterioration.

The investment in materials varies greatly. A good kitchen countertop will last longer when properly maintained. When considering what type of countertop, think about how much time are you willing or able to invest in the maintenance of this type of countertop.

3. Seams or No Seams?

Do you want to have seams or not on your countertop?

When working with stone, you want your kitchen countertops to be smooth and seamless. The fewer the seams, the less of a margin for error, however, some things to take into account are weight, dimensions, and the maximum length allowed to ensure the safety of our installers, your home, and the piece of the stone itself.

4. What Type Of Edges Should I Have?

The edges of your countertop are a little detail that may change the overall tone of your kitchen. If your kitchen is traditional, transitional, or modern, the sophisticated edge you choose can help to enhance the look and style you’ve chosen. A variety of decorative borders will also affect the level of safety in your kitchen. This is also especially important if you have kids.

5. How Thick Do I Want My Countertops To Be?

Thicker countertops give the impression that the countertops are more expensive and have recently become more fashionable. In modern kitchens, texture and style stand out. In natural stone, thicker slabs often provide more color options. They are also known to have more expensive alternatives, helping to increase the value of your kitchen over time.

6. What Material Should I Use?

Now considering all of your answers to the above questions, it is time to consider what type of material fits your requirements. these are the 10 most popular countertop materials:

Granite
Marble
Quartz
Soapstone
Concrete
Butcher Block
Solid-Surface Material
Laminate
Stainless Steel
Ceramic

7. and lastly, Should I Hire an Interior Designer?

In my opinion, the answer should always be yes! Now I may be biased however when you work with an Interior Designer, you will have the expertise to help you drill down to the answers you need to make such a big decision by:

showing you examples
considering the needs of your family
understanding the true costs
sourcing material at trade rates
sourcing reliable tradespeople
creating unique and stunning designs
adding value to your home
defining your style
helping you keep an unparalleled peace of mind
providing a finished project

I have put together additional Frequently Asked Questions to help you narrow down your choices:

Why should I use natural stone?

Natural stones such as marble, granite, and soapstone can give your home an earthy vibe. They never go out of style and are highly durable. It’s a wise investment because it will increase the value of your home.

Why should I use engineered countertops?

On the other hand, engineered stones are a less expensive method to give your home an earthy vibe like engineered quartz. They offer a much wider color selection than natural stone. Engineered countertops are a long-lasting and customizable alternative to natural stone.

In contrast to natural stones, synthetic materials such as concrete, solid-surface, laminates, and others are non-porous. They also require less upkeep, though synthetic materials are not as hard as natural and engineered stone.

Can you put hot pans and pots on granite?

Yes, but maybe you shouldn’t. Granite is naturally resistant to heat and would only be damaged by heat if it exceeds the granite’s heat tolerance.

How long does it take to install countertops?

Installing kitchen countertops can take as little as 2 hours but upwards of 7 hours, depending on the size of the kitchen and how complicated the design is. You should allow more time if the countertops have more cutouts. This time frame does not include the time it takes to make a template for the countertop or deliver it. Your fabricator will be the best person to give you these details.

Will the kitchen countertops fade?

In short, natural stone will fade when exposed to sunlight, but it will take a long time. Sunlight is a mixture of different kinds of radiation just like a sunburn happens when you are exposed to ultraviolet radiation hence the reason fading occurs on countertop surfaces.

If I choose one type of material, am I limited to using the same throughout the rest of the house?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Kitchen and bathroom countertops do not always have to match, however, if you are going for a more cohesive look, using the same countertops will help achieve this look. Bathroom countertops don’t have to be as functional as kitchen countertops. At the end of the day, it’s all about your personal preferences.

Choosing the right countertop can feel like a daunting task. The good thing is help isn't too far away. Connect with us to find out how we can help you build the kitchen of your dreams and let that inner Food Network Star blossom.