A benchtop is one of the key elements in your kitchen that will be seen the moment you enter it. So in addition to functionality, you need to make sure that it has aesthetic appeal and that it matches the theme of the house. There are many materials, textures, colours, designs etc. that you can find in the market. You need to think about how easy the benchtop is to clean and whether it is hygienic.
You can find kitchen benchtops there are many materials that you can find such as quartz, porcelain, marble, granite, stainless steel, solid surface and wood. The price points of each material are different and their benefits are different. You need to understand how you use the kitchen before you select a material. All of these materials come with different finishes. Marble benchtops have a classic and minimalistic look when it comes to the natural striations of the material. Stainless steel is a very hygienic material and it can be cleaned very easily. This is why most commercial kitchens are made of stainless steel. Also, it is very durable and takes a lot of wear. You have to consider the price of installation as well when you choose a material. This will affect the total cost.
Kitchen remodels are quite expensive so you need to choose a material that is durable. This will not be your priority if the kitchen is for mostly display purposes. But if it is a heavily used kitchen, then there is a lot of work that will happen day to day and the benchtop can take a beating. Some of the materials that are great at withstanding a lot of wear and tear are stone, marble, quartz, solid surface and stainless steel. These materials are resistant to water and will not stain easily. There are some materials that can get easily scratched like laminate and timber benchtops. Timber is also susceptible to water damage. You need to make sure that you have a good protective coating on it or that you use it in a kitchen that is minimally used.
When the material of the benchtop is damaged, it will lower the value of the kitchen as well. And a kitchen is one of the places that potential homeowners are particular about. The quality of the benchtops, cabinet materials and overall design will matter a great deal if you are planning to sell the house at a later date. Minimal maintenance is always a good factor when it comes to a benchtop. In addition to functional values, you have to make sure that the colour and the style of the benchtop matches the design theme of the house. The cabinet colours and the benchtops should be complementary. A timber countertop will look good in a traditional house but for modern houses, sleek materials like solid surface, marble etc. are better suited. Light coloured benchtops will need more cleaning as they will show up debris and dirt more clearly. But a light-coloured benchtop can give a sense of brightness to the house and it can make the kitchen looks better.
