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Here’s another great tip from BobVila.com.
To help you wade through the sea of choices for new kitchen countertops, take a long, hard look at how they compare for durability and maintenance.
Having a clear idea of the amount of work you’re willing to do to maintain and protect your new investment will make the decision less complex.
Take stone, for example. After millions of years in the Earth, granite, marble and travertine are naturally hard and beautiful—and for $50 to $100 per square foot, they can grace your kitchen. But they’re also naturally porous, so you’ll have to seal them every few years with a non-toxic sealer.
Some kinds of natural stone can stain with acidic foods and can even crack if you put a very hot pot directly on them. Some, like slate—long used for laboratory countertops—are better than others at taking the heat and acids, but oils can darken them and they are prone to scratching.
Engineered quartz stone, at the same price point, has solved some of the maintenance problems of natural stone. It’s non-porous, twice as strong and tough to scratch or crack. Like anything else, though, even high-end countertops are only as good as their installation, so check references on whoever is going to do the work to make sure you start off with the best finish possible.
Wood countertops require mineral oil treatments and occasional sanding for stains. Solid surfaces don’t require treatment and scratches can be buffed away easily. But using trivets or pads under hot pots is important to avoid damaging any wood or plastic surface.
Regardless of your budget, think about the way you cook and clean and how much extra work you’re willing to do before you choose a material. Your new countertop should fit the way you live, not the other way around.
Find out more at BobVila.com:
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