Bathroom Vanity and Kitchen Countertop Materials
Remodeling to Increase Home Value and Update Homeowners Insurance
Mar 28, 2009
The choice depends on many factors including remodeling budget constraints, personal preference, interior designer suggestions, and how determined the homeowner is to adhere to sustainable construction and green building practices.
Two important things to keep in mind during this type of remodeling project is to use architectural design software to “visualize” the finished look and to be sure to update the homeowners insurance policy to reflect the potential home replacement value.
Granite, Marble, and Other Natural Stone Countertops
Granite and other natural rock materials are outstanding for adding value to the home although the cost is not for the faint of heart. Proper surface preparation and installation are essential to avoid cracking. A granite counter is extremely durable and the surface should be kept sealed.
These stone materials are available in a wide variety of colors and vein patterns so compatibility with any interior decorating scheme is possible.
Use Butcher Block Counters for Functionality
Butcher block countertop surfaces are great for the domestic culinary chef with an eye towards gourmet meal preparation. This is the ultimate work surface and doesn't need to be the only material. In many cases, only part of the counter is made of this material; it's a complement to other materials discussed in this article.
These surfaces are always made of hardwood. Rock maple is always popular, as is oak, and is very attractive if built by laminating chunks of different shades of wood together. It should be kept clean and sealed to prevent staining.
Traditional Ceramic Tile
Tile has always been popular and for good reason; it's durable, inexpensive, and hygienic. Small wonder that it's traditionally popular in bathrooms, kitchens, and hospitals.
In addition to the endless variety of color patterns available, homeowners can also use tiles with graphics on them to give the room almost any ambiance imaginable. Maintenance is minimal but it's important to use a high-quality grout sealer.
An additional thing that tile has in its favor is that installation is a fairly basic DIY project, which saves a lot of money in the renovation budget.
Plastic Laminate or Formica
Yes, Formica is a brand name, but it so dominates the market that the name is used interchangeably, like “Coke” for soft drinks, and “Hoover” for vacuums. In fact, the Wilsonart plastic laminate brand is just as high quality.
Installing plastic laminate countertops is also an easy DIY project and in a remodel, existing countertops can be resurfaced for a remodel on the cheap. This material is low maintenance but care should be taken not to cut directly on it with a sharp butcher knife.
Concrete Kitchen Countertops
Concrete kitchen countertops are gaining in popularity and have really come into their own with regard to colors and patterns; they don't look like a driveway. This type of surface is generally a custom item, and as such, is made off-site and installed, or built right in place.
Like natural stone, this material is very heavy and may crack if the base isn't level, sturdy, and flat. But once in place, it should last a lifetime. It should be kept properly sealed so as not to stain. One downside is that it can be quite expensive.
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