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Walk into a countertop showroom and you’ll be spoiled for choice—hundreds of them! Across the diversity of surfaces, you’ll see flecks and solids, as well as graininess reminiscent of fireworks, flowing lava, a bubbling stream, and more. What to choose? Granite or something man-made? The concrete is very now. Would stainless steel get a wow? Or is green the way to go? You will then be asked to name your edge: straight edge, ogee, smoothed, oh my! But, compared to the variety of surfaces, the choice of borders is easy: less than 20 types!
In a countertop riddle? Nicholas Draper, president of Granite Source, an award-winning Virginia countertop company, offers the following news and guidance.
“Price doesn’t necessarily equate to quality, now that the cost of granite countertops has dropped in the last decade, really exciting news! You can get a great, timeless or modern product at an affordable price. (Average Cost (A countertop redo costs $2,500 for the average kitchen space.) Draper reports that many of the most popular colors, like Uba Tuba black-green, for example, are about the same price as other types of countertop surfaces.”
Granite and engineered stone are highly sought after for their beauty and connection to nature, but also for their durability. Nothing less than an ax could splinter these surfaces! And today’s protective finishes make them extremely resistant to stains.
For those who prefer a uniform look for their counter surface, engineered stone may be appealing. Consisting of more than 90% natural quartz aggregate, engineered stone is non-porous and requires slightly less maintenance. Silestone or CaesarStone are two of the best-selling brands.
Other natural surface options include marble for an “old world” look, though more practical for the bathroom than the kitchen counter, and soapstone. The weathered look of soapstone works in contemporary, farmhouse and traditional settings.
Handmade countertop products feature a wide range of color options. The appearance is more uniform than natural stone. This is where you can make a “green” choice. The beautiful and durable countertops are made from layers of Richlite recycled paper. Get to know the ECOVERINGS collection. These products consist of natural, reclaimed, reused, recycled or recyclable materials. These fit best in a contemporary setting.