What to Know About Countertops Before Moving Forward with Your Kansas City Kitchen Remodel
When tackling a
kitchen remodel, one of the biggest decisions that you’ll make is deciding what type of countertop you want to go with. As any home remodeling contractor knows, kitchen countertops come in a wide range of materials in varying degrees of quality. Three of the most popular here at
NextGen Remodeling are
quartz, granite, and marble.
When shopping for kitchen countertops, it’s important not to get caught up in looks alone. Countertops are one of the most heavily trafficked areas of the entire kitchen and exposed to all matter of liquids, acids, and solids at varying temperatures.
Kitchen countertops need to be more than just a pretty surface. They need to be able to handle the rigors of meal prep, spills, exposure to light, and other challenges.
So, let’s get to know a little more about these surfaces so that you can make an informed decision about your upcoming kitchen remodel.
Quartz Kitchen Countertops
As one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz has established itself as one of the most popular choices for kitchen countertops. Not only is it beautiful, but it can also handle many years of duress in the kitchen without flinching. It’s quite strong, which is why so many people have made quartz the go-to option for their kitchen remodeling projects.
However, there’s a bit of confusion when talking about quartz among those who aren’t familiar with kitchen countertop materials, so let’s clear this up now: quartz is artificial and not 100 percent pure natural stone whereas quartzite is pure mineral and not man-made.
We point this out because the amount of natural quartz found in slabs will depend on the manufacturer the home remodeling contractor uses. Certain brands that sell quartz have higher concentrations, so it’s best to know that ahead of time before you commit to purchasing a slab.
Other things to know about quartz:
- Quartz is made in a mold and bonded together by polyester resin, styrene, pigments, and other agents
- Quartz performs best when installed indoors, away from direct sunlight; quartz exposed to direct sunlight will turn yellow
- Quartz countertops do NOT need to be sealed because they are non-porous; marble and granite require yearly sealing
- Quartz is scratch resistant but does not do well with sudden changes in temperature from hot pots or other cookware
- Quartz should not be cleaned with scouring pads or abrasive cleaners
Granite Kitchen Countertops
Although not as popular as they once were, granite countertops remain a top option for many kitchen remodelers in Kansas City who are updating their space. The organic and natural design make them easily integrated in virtually any kitchen remodeling scheme. Granite also has the added benefit of being completely unique, since no two slabs ever look the same.
And for those kitchen remodelers on a budget, granite slabs tend to run less expensive compared to their quartz counterparts.
Other things to know about granite:
- The earth toned appearance of granite makes it one of the easier stones to incorporate in a kitchen design scheme
- Granite is both heat and scratch resistant
- The dark color scheme and pattern of granite has a tendency to hide crumbs and debris; this makes it more of a challenge to clean compared to all-white countertops
- Granite countertops need to be sealed every year, which will run the homeowner at least a few hundred dollars
- If granite countertops are not routinely sealed, they can absorb liquids and oils which will be impossible to remove
- Granite is not as strong as quartz and requires more maintenance
Marble Kitchen Countertops
Marble countertops have their own sense of elegance about them, with plenty of variety in color. Kitchen remodelers gravitate towards marble because of the variations in veining and pattern along with their natural impurities. Marble can be green, pink, black, and white, which lends a certain amount of versatility to this type of countertop. As far as looks go, you’d be hard pressed to find anything more engaging and aesthetically pleasing than marble.
However, this isn’t to say that marble is the perfect countertop option. Although it makes a gorgeous addition to most kitchens, it requires a fair amount of maintenance and cooking best practices to increase its longevity.
Other things to know about marble:
- There are several types of marble options; Carrara marble is one of the more affordable options, while Calacatta marble can run nearly $200 per square foot.
- Marble is a porous material, meaning that liquids (acidic or otherwise) run the risk of staining it unless it is properly sealed.
- Similar to granite, marble must be sealed at least once per year.
- Marble is not scratch-resistant, nor does it do well with adverse temperatures from hot cookware.
Arrange a Countertop Consultation with NextGen Remodeling for Your Upcoming Kitchen Remodel
Picking out the perfect kitchen countertop may seem challenging, but here at NextGen Remodeling we make it easy. If you’ve been looking for home remodeling contractors near you who know all the ins and outs of kitchen countertops, then you’ve come to the right place.
Our team of vetted and highly qualified professionals have been performing kitchen and bathroom remodels in Kansas City for years. Not only can they set you up with a one of a kind kitchen or bathroom remodel, but they can do so at an affordable price that’s within your budget.
Contact us for a free estimate by
sending us an email or by calling us directly at
(913) 777-4701 today.
