Written by Erica Sibley
Senior designer
Binns kitchen & bath designs
It’s likely you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, after all it is the heart of the home! I have come to realize the importance of having a great kitchen design that helps me start and finish my day the right way. Often people focus on the layout of kitchen cabinets, sinks, etc. but I must admit that I view countertops as being just as important. They are like a canvas on which I create food art!
Countertop selections can be confusing and overwhelming when you begin thinking about the many different materials that are available, the colours, and trim details. I suggest you begin by identifying your top priority. Is it durability? Style? Cost effectiveness?
Work with a RenoMark renovator and designer who will help you narrow down the materials that match your priorities. There are three main categories of countertop options: natural material, quartz material and non-porous material.
Three types of countertop materials
Natural
This includes granite, marble, limestone and wood. These types of materials require some maintenance and will age over time. They won’t look perfect and brand new forever but, in my opinion, this is part of what makes natural material an interesting and viable option to consider! Before omitting this option, read more about these materials!
Quartz
This category includes material defined as natural or engineered stone, the latter being made from about 95 per cent natural quartz and 5 per cent polymer resins. You might recognize brand names such as SileStone, CaesarStone, Cambria and Zodiac.
Non-porous
Non-porous surfaces can vary greatly, including laminate, stainless steel, glass, tile, and acrylic surfaces such as Corian. These materials offer various qualities but the unifying characteristic is that they are all manufactured materials and are all considered non-porous.
There are advantages and disadvantages to any countertop material you choose for your kitchen, so it’s important to explore the reasons for choosing one material over another with your professional renovator. When I have this discussion with our clients, sometimes I suggest mixing various countertops in a kitchen based on how a surface will be used.
The important thing to remember is to plan, set priorities, and work with a professional renovator who will offer you a complete written contract. Don’t do a cash deal and get a written warranty! Remember that you are about to spend a lot of money, you need to work with a reputable company.
About Erica Sibley & Binns kitchen + bath design
Erica Sibley is a senior designer at Binns kitchen + bath design. She is a Registered Interior Designer and has been with the company for five years. Binns kitchen + bath design has been a member of RenoMark and the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) since 2009. They are two-time winners of the Renovation & Custom Home Awards for Best Kitchen Renovation. Visit them at www.binns.net, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Have a question? Get in touch!
If this column has generated any thoughts or questions regarding a past or future renovation, please send your questions to RenoMark@bildgta.ca and look for our answers to your questions in the next Ask a RenoMark Renovator column.
