Countertop selection plays an integral part in the decision making process when building your cabinet system. Whether it be for a new kitchen, bathroom or a reface job there are many different options out there. Countertops decisions should not be based upon looks alone. A few things to consider when choosing countertops are a material's durability, the maintenance required, as well as the look you are trying to achieve and your budget.
Countertop choices
There are several different choices for counter tops in today's design fields.
Granite, the top choice in countertops, is available in a variety of shades such as blacks, whites, greens, corals and beiges, and no two pieces are exactly the same. Costs for granite depend on many variables, including color, finish and origin of the stone. Other natural stone materials, like marble, limestone and soapstone, are softer than granite and require delicate use and greater care.
Natural stone or Quartz countertops are becoming more of a trend. They come in a wider variety of colors than natural stone countertops, are more durable and are a cinch to maintain. While engineered stone won't save any money over granite, the two materials cost roughly the same, if you're considering granite or other stone surfaces for your kitchen or bath, CWP Cabinet Concepts Recommendation For Countertops is:
Cambria Natural Quartz Sufaces.
- Strength & Durability- Cambria Natural Quartz Surfaces™ are stronger than granite. Cambria is a surface that is truly everlasting.
- Maintenance Free - No sealing, polishing or reconditioning is needed. Simply wash with warm water. It's that simple. Plus, unlike granite, Cambria will resist stains from common food items such as wine, coffee and tea.
- Food Safe - Unlike granite, Cambria has been certified by NSF International as safe for use as a food preparation surface. Cambria is nonporous; therefore, food and moisture cannot penetrate the surface — the main source of growth for harmful bacteria.
- All Natural - Cambria is created from pure natural quartz, an extremely hard stone. In fact, quartz is the hardest non-precious stone that can be found in the earth's surface.
- Everlasting Value - With its beauty and performance advantages over granite, a Cambria kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity will add value to your home.
- Guaranteed - As the only producer of quartz surfaces in the United States, Cambria is covered by a Lifetime Limited Warranty.
The variety of colors available in Cambria’s range is truly impressive. With over 25 unique trademarked colors as well as an impressive selection of natural granite-style colors from Cambria’s new Quarry Collection. An additional benefit to natural stone surfaces especially in the quarry collection is you get what you see. With granite surfaces you can pick from a sample but what you get won't match exactly. With Cambria's quarry collection you can buy a piece of counter top this year and the buy one next year and end up with the same product.
Additional Counter Materials:
Solid surface ~ Wood ~ Laminate
Other Counter Top Considerations
Square edges are standard on most countertops, but decorative edges like radius, bullnose, bevel, egg and ogee — while a bit more expensive — are another way to customize a kitchen. Availability of edges varies based on countertop materials.
Mix and match
An alternative to having having to choose one top is mixing up countertop materials and or color variations. For example, try mixing a natural stone surface counter top with a wood island top. While wood tops require a tremendous amount of maintenance, the smaller surface area mixed with the custom design may make it all worth it. Before making a decision on countertop material, see the surface in person, whether that means visiting a showroom or viewing samples in-home. CWP Cabinet Concepts has all of cambria natural stone surface samples available for in home consultation.