Choosing a kitchen countertop relies on personal style, budget, and durability preferences. With so many options, what is the best choice for you?
When you choose a home at Garden Spot Village, you have the opportunity to keep the standard options or upgrade. This list of countertops are the most popular for Garden Spot Village homes.
Formica. This is a brand name for a type of very durable and low maintenance laminate. Formica is made by bonding resin and paper together with pressure and heat, which forms a hard surface material (about 1/16 inch thick). The top sheet is colored and patterned to look like anything from granite to wood to
marble. It is then adhered to plywood or another appropriate backing and installed. This option is often less expensive than other countertop choices and is included as the standard option for Garden Apartments and Cottages.
Corian. Corian is a brand name for a durable, engineered material created by the DuPont Company in 1967. Also known as, “solid surface,” this product is a blend of acrylic, minerals and stone-derived
materials. If Corian is scratched, it can be sanded and refinished to look like new. Care should be taken with heat, as hot pans can burn the surface. This durable, high-quality product can cost as much or more than granite. Corian is the standard option for Village Square Apartments and Carriage Homes.
Quartz. This engineered stone is made by combining real quartz mineral with resins, polymers and pigments, which results in a large quantity of patterns and colors. Quartz does not require sealing
like natural stone does. Also, because it is made with resin, it is not heat resistant and must be protected from hot pots and pans. The cost of quartz countertops is similar to granite.
Quartzite. A dense, natural stone, quartzite has a high quartz content. Quartzite counters are very durable and easy to clean. Because it is a natural product, though, colors are limited and based on the mineral content in the slab. Quartzite counters must be sealed to prevent staining from liquids. The cost of
quartzite countertops is similar to granite and quartz.
Granite. A durable, natural stone that is formed from magma or lava underneath the earth’s crust, granite is mostly comprised of minerals such as quartz, mica and feldspar, which give granite it’s colors. Granite countertops are easy to clean and heat resistant. Granite is a stylish and sustainable material, that
is nearly impossible to scratch. Sealing is necessary to avoid staining from liquids because it is a natural material. Granite countertops are one of the most expensive counter options. Granite is the standard for Sycamore Springs.
Most countertops are easy to clean and maintain, regardless of whether they are natural or engineered surfaces. The key to keeping any surface in great shape is proper care and maintenance.