Kitchen Countertops

"The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home."  So sayeth one kitchen wall decal, but this does ring true in our family.  One of the reasons we wanted to get a home was to share it with friends.  Inevitably, every gathering we've had in our home has involved the kitchen in some way.  As such, Kelly and I wanted to make this room our focus for the house.  It has, indeed, been the largest part of our home remodels and upgrades.  Although you may not think about it, the most striking part of any kitchen, excepting the appliances, is its countertops.  Our kitchen definitely needed some help in this department. 

The house came with some well-used and scratched-up laminate countertops.  Given the lower grade building materials used in the rest of the kitchen, this came as no surprise, but we had better plans. When choosing which countertop to put on top of your kitchen cabinetry, there are many things to consider.  Will you be using the countertop for cooking, baking, entertaining?  What kind of cabinets do you have and are you willing to upgrade them with an upgraded countertop?  How sustainable to you want them to be?  How easy to maintain should they be?  Of course, sustainability was our highest criteria, but we also wanted a countertop that was very low maintenance and good for cooking. Although our cabinets were not high grade, we had neither the funds nor the desire to replace them, so we needed a practical countertop that would not crush the fragile wood cabinets. 

Granite and marble stand out as the most popular countertop upgrades, but these are neither cheap nor sustainable (since they have to be quarried).  On the other end of the spectrum, laminate is the most affordable option but suffers from poor aesthetic appeal and again, non-sustainability.  However, today's Formica is more durable than the laminate material of yesteryear and comes in a wide range of colors, patterns, finishes, and even offers some slight sustainable benefits.  One of the newest countertop materials out there is made out of paper combined with resin and then baked. Richlite is a solid surface (the same material runs all the way through) and is heat resistant up to 350 degrees F. It's also considered environmentally-friendly, as the raw material used in its manufacture is derived from renewable or recycled resources. The end result is a tough surface that isn't cold like stone or many other solid-surface materials.  Another eco-option would be a wood countertop (assuming the wood is sustainably sourced, like bamboo).  When properly treated, these can make beautiful countertops, although they do take more care than most. Engineered stone, stainless steel and granite are probably the easiest surfaces in terms of upkeep. They are extremely durable, provide both heat and scratch resistance, and are relatively stain-resistant. Marble, however, is more porous than granite and, as such, is pretty high-maintenance. Even when sealed, it is easily stained, is prone to scratching, and hot pans may cause scorch marks. With regular use, it is also susceptible to cracks and chips.  Despite some great choices now on the market, the most favorable option for our kitchen turned out to be recycled glass. 

Recycled glass surfaces are one of the most eco-friendly surfaces on the market today and comprises 100% recycled glass fragments within a resin binder.  A finished recycled glass countertop often ranges from 70 to 85 percent in recycled content. Recycled glass countertops have been making a slow but steady march into commercial settings. Although I don't remember if it was the first I saw, the most memorable introduction to recycled glass countertop was at Cherrywood Coffeehouse in Austin.  Impressed with the beautiful look of this product and it's sustainable materials, we looked into the different options for recycled glass countertops. 

There are several offerings of recycled glass countertops, all with about the same benefits and price ranges.  The most notable of these manufacturers is ECO by Cosentino which can be found at Lowe's.  However, we did not like their color offerings.  Other manufacturers include Vetrazzo, Granite Transformations, Curava,GEOS (which is also sold by Home Depot), and IceStone.  We chose to go with Granite Transformations because of the lower cost per square foot.  Their unique installation process actually puts the new countertop OVER your existing countertop, thereby eliminating the time and waste required to remove the old countertop.  As an added bonus, they included a new kitchen sink complimentary with the install!  Total cost for our kitchen (which will vary by your square footage) = $2,500.  If you do go with a Granite Transformations countertop, please let them know that I referred you and I'll get a $50 kickback!!!

We chose not to have Granite Transformations install a new backsplash, but instead decided to buy the materials from Home Depot and install it ourselves.  Installing a backsplash in not very complicated, and makes a great DIY project.  Kelly picked out a clear glass brick mosaic to compliment our countertops.  This, too, is an eco-friendly option by utilizing recycled glass.

Countertops are a major purchase for any home, and make a difference to both your enjoyment of the kitchen and your home's resale value. Be sure to remember that when it comes to home improvement (among many other things in life), there is no "one size fits all." Take the time to find the perfect combination of decorative, sustainable, and functional, and you'll take pleasure in your kitchen for years to come.