Kitchen Countertop and Bath Vanity Surfaces

Remodeling with Bamboo, Glass, Granite, Marble, and Stainless Steel

Aug 6, 2009

There are many counter surface materials for bathroom and kitchen remodeling makeovers; natural stone, bamboo, and more. Reap the home equity ROI in these rooms.

The common choices used to be plastic laminates like Formica and ceramic tile. But ITE (new buzzword: In This Economy), the bursting housing bubble and the deepening recession have conspired to make homeowners remodel to gain residential equity rather than trade up.

Since people spend so much time in the bath and kitchen and these two rooms figure high in the home's resale value, special care should be taken in the building materials used. This article sheds some light on some countertop options and general price ranges for material and installation labor costs.

Natural Stone Work Surfaces

Natural stone countertops such as granite and marble are much in demand just now. This material is extremely durable and does well with hot pots and pans but will stain. To prevent this, periodic sealing is recommended.

Granite is available in a multitude of colors; Houston House & Home magazine estimates up to 3,000 varieties, so individuality is the name of the game. Marble isn't quite as varied. The 2 most popular varieties right now are Carrata and Calcutta.

Stainless Steel Counters

These are best suited for the kitchen but may be used on bath vanities as well. Stainless steel finishes are a growing trend for kitchen appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers so it's a good choice for someone that insists on matching.

It's durable, handles heat, and resists stains, but it will scratch and dent. Contrary to popular belief, stainless will oxidize, but won't “rust”. Wiping it down is about all the maintenance required.

Glass Countertops

Glass isn't encountered as often as some other materials. One of its primary benefits is ease of maintenance. Since the surface is so non-porous, it makes it easy to keep food preparation sanitary. The surface can be slick or textured and the minimum thickness is about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm).

For a thoroughly modern look, it can even be combined with neon lighting for that glow effect. This is a popular option for wet bars.

Poured Concrete

Concrete isn't the first material that comes to mind, but it's gaining in popularity and is even a candidate for a DIY project. Concrete countertops are made from a mixture of cement, water, additives, and dyes, so many patterns are attainable.

They can be fabricated in a shop or poured in a special concrete form on-site to eliminate the chance of damage during transportation.

Butcher Block for Food Preparation

What could be handier than chopping vegetables right on the counter? In many cases butcher block countertops make up a part of the work surface rather than the whole thing. This is also a good choice for a DIY project.

Because it gets cut from use, regular sanitizing is mandatory. But use gives it character over time and a regular coating of mineral oil will keep it protected.

Eco-Friendly Bamboo is a Green, Renewable Choice

It may seem odd to use bamboo since it's technically a grass. But when processed into counter material, it's extremely durable. And as a sustainable natural resource? David Farrelly, author of The Book of Bamboo, claims it can grow 47.6 inches in a 24 hour period!

This is a very affordable choice at $25 to $35/sq. ft. Sometimes it's frugal to go green.

Sources:

The copyright of the article Kitchen Countertop and Bath Vanity Surfaces in Home Interiors is owned by Kelly Smith. Permission to republish Kitchen Countertop and Bath Vanity Surfaces in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.