What Tickles Your Fancy - Kitchen Countertop Edition

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93% natural, Quartz is a strong surface with 7% resin pigments and binders.[/caption]Kitchen counter tops offer a simple, but visually dramatic renovation for your vancouver home. The durability, resistance and maintenance of counter tops changes depending on the type. It is best to opt for a counter top that best suits your kitchen tasks. Narrow down your options. Below are advantages and disadvantages of popular counter tops:LaminateLaminate is made of solid and durable materials (plywood, chipboard and fibreboard).+ Finished with thin plastic coating+ Resistant to water and cooking stains- Not heat resistant- Prone to chips and scratches (do not use as a cutting surface)MarbleUltra luxurious, marble is available in a variety of colours and patterns.+ Durable, heat and water resistant, hard wearing and cleans easily (great for bakers)+ Prone to stains from lemon juice, sugar, alcohol and oil. Use a sealant- Dulls knives- Extra reinforcement advised for cabinetsGraniteAn elegant stone, granite is another luxurious option.+ Does not stain and is resistant to alcohol, oil and lemon juice (great for bakers)+ Resistant to heat and water (easy to clean)- Dulls knives- Additional reinforcement is needed for cabinetsSlateIf you love the look of marble or granite, slate is an affordable option+ Dense, with fine grain stone+ Easy to clean, resistant to heat and water- Colour options include: green, grey, purple, red and blue- If damaged, slate can easily be fixed with sandpaperTile/MosaicWhen it comes to Tile/Mosaic surfaces, opt for glazed ceramic counter tops with a textured or matte finish+ Dust-pressed clay surface+ Easy to clean, resistant to heat, water, stains, burns and discolouring- Tile/Mosaic counter tops are hard on glassware, china and knives.- Grout between the tiles can be challenging to cleanWood and Butcher’s BlockOpt for maple, teak and beech when incorporating wood into a kitchen.+ Finish surface with varnish or oil+ Wood is easy on glassware and china- Resistant to moderate heat- Blackened surfaces due to moisture, may contract in dry areas, may scratch, scorch or rustSolid SurfaceSolid surface can be pricey, but highly durable, easy to clean and resistant to permanent damage.+ Moulded into sinks+ Seams are barely visible- Solid surface can look artificial- Darker colours can show scratches and nicks.Stainless SteelStainless steel is waterproof, heat resistant, easy to clean and hygienic.+ Great choice for areas with water+ Many design options including matte and polished- Noisy, cold and difficult to maintain shine- Prone to scratchesQuartz93% natural, Quartz is a strong surface with 7% resin pigments and binders.+ Resistant to heat, mold, mildew, cracks and scratches. Does not stain+ Hygienic.- Granite shows seams- Lower cabinets require additional reinforcement.

Kirsten Sutton is the head designer for reVISION Custom Home Renovations. She creates designs that are both functional and meaningful for each of the clients she works with. Kirsten received formal training in Architecture and Structural Drafting from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Her combined education, background and passion allow her to transform her clients’ dreams into a reality.Have design questions? Reach Kirsten Sutton at kirsten@revisionrenovations.com