One of the most fun things about kitchen countertops is that there is so much variety. Anyone checking out countertops will see an array of different materials, finishes, and arrangements.
While contractors are skilled at making these products work in a slew of different situations, there's still a lot of variation. It's prudent to think about some of the common issues that accompany changing out one kind of countertop for another.
Use Case
Not all materials are great for all use cases. Marble looks fabulous, for example, but it's soft and prone to staining. Someone who plans to hammer out cutlets and steaks on their countertop should not use marble. They shouldn't use it even if they have a high-quality cutting board because that's not going to mitigate the risks to the countertop material enough.
Before you consult with a contractor, think about your real-world use cases. If you're going to subject your countertops to significant abuse, be clear about that fact. On the bright side, durable materials like quartz are often able to replicate the appearance of higher-cost products without sacrificing durability.
Weight
Never replace kitchen countertops without verifying the underlying structure can handle it. If you have an island with a butcher block top in the middle of your kitchen, for example, the previous installers may not have reinforced the structure. Consequently, placing a heavy granite countertop on the island may not be possible without reinforcement.
However, contractors are aware of these problems. They'll check your situation out and tell you what's necessary. If the needed reinforcement work is major, you may have to hire a separate contractor to do it. However, the countertops contractor should at least provide the specifications for the support.
Aesthetics
Especially if you're moving from one type of material to a very different one, you need to think about the aesthetics of the kitchen. Swapping out dark granite for light marble, for example, is going to be akin to doing a partial remodel of the space. That's great if you're shooting for a new look, but you always want to check out samples and think about how it will all come together.
Cuts
If you have a complex space for your new countertops, the cuts can be an issue. Ideally, you can do this without seams, but that can be a challenge if there isn't a lot of room to maneuver materials. Even if you can pull the job off with a single slab, you need to line up the openings for sinks, faucets, and other fixtures.
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Share23 August 2021
After I started focusing seriously on making my home look and feel brand new, it occurred to me that I needed to do something to make things even better. I started working with a team of remodeling contractors, and although I didn't always understand their decisions, it became apparent pretty quickly that they understood what they were doing. They worked with us each and every day to make things right, and I was really impressed with their level of professionalism. Check out this blog for great information on understanding remodeling decisions each and every time you complete a new project.