WHAT DURABOL COUNTERTOP IS THE BEST FOR YOUR KITCHEN?

WHAT DURABOL COUNTERTOP IS THE BEST FOR YOUR KITCHEN?

Countertops are your kitchen’s tough guy, but they have to look great and fit to your budget too.

 1. Quartz 

The durability winner is quartz, the man-nature combo countertop. Crushed quartz stone is mixed with resin to produce countertops that range from solid colors to the look of real granite, but they’ll beat natural stone in toughness.

Pros

Quartz is almost indestructible under normal kitchen prep conditions. It laughs at knife cuts, and, unless you take a sledgehammer to it, it won’t chip or crack. It’s stain- and bacteria-resistant, and it doesn’t require sealing.

Cons

You pay a lot for quartz, and it’s not as heat-resistant as less-pricey materials like granite and crushed glass. Seams can be noticeable, especially if you use lighter colors, and it can discolor over time in direct sunlight.

Also, quartz can look ultra-contemporary and cold, so it may not be the best choice for a traditional-style kitchen.

 2. Granite 

Granite is still considered one of the top must-have home features. Its natural beauty often is eye-popping, and granite easily fits in any style kitchen.

Pros

Granite is tough. It resists cracks and chips, and you can place a hot pot on it without catastrophe. If you apply sealer annually, granite stands up to stains.

Cons

It’s tough but not indestructible. An accidental clunk with a wine bottle can put a chip in the edge, which you’ll have to polish down. If you don’t seal religiously, oil can seep into the stone and you’ll have to apply a poultice to get it out.

Design-wise, granite can be unpredictable. Natural variations in stone can result in countertops that don’t look exactly like the sample. Also, it can be hard to hide seams in granite countertops, so be strategic about where you put them.

 3. Crushed (Recycled) Glass 

This relative newcomer to the countertop market is as stunning as it is durable. Glass is recycled from beer bottles, traffic lights, and windshields, making it an eco-friendly countertop choice.

There are two basic styles to choose from: When set in acrylic, the glass looks like it’s floating in a lake; when set in cement, the glass creates a shimmery mosaic.

Pros

Crushed glass counters don’t chip, scratch, stain, or burn. They’re nonporous, so they don’t need sealing, like granite. Crushed glass doesn’t fade over time, like quartz.

Cons

If you place something heavy on the corner of a crushed glass countertop, it may crack. Acidic foods, like citrus juices, can eat away at the acrylic if you don’t wipe them away quickly.

4. Laminate 

Laminates are a paper-plastic product that tops several layers of Kraft paper with a resin impregnated with near infinite colors and patterns.

Pros

The price is right for this chameleon-like product that can mimic everything from wood to granite. It doesn’t need any special sealers or cleaners, and it’s stain resistant.

ConLaminates crack, scratch, and scorch more easily than the countertop materials it resembles. It’s also a bear to repair.

5. Tile 

Tile countertops can look crafty or contemporary, making them a beautiful and versatile countertop material.

Pros

Tile is tough and easy to clean. It resists cuts, stains, and heat. And if a tile cracks, it’s easily replaced. 

Tile also comes in an infinite number of colors and styles. You can mix and match to achieve a unique look that makes your counter one of a kind.

Cons

Tile easily cracks if skillets and pots are accidentally dropped on it. It’s an uneven surface that can make glasses, plates, and cutting boards wobbly and unstable. 

Unlike stone surfaces, you can’t roll out dough on a tile countertop. And grout lines are common catchers of dust and grime; if you don’t keep up on annual sealing, they’re a great medium for bacteria growth.

6. Solid-Surfacing 

You probably know it as Corian, but that’s just one manufacturer of this solid-surface countertop that’s made from acrylic, polyester resins, and even marble dust.

Pros

Solid-surfacing comes in many patterns and colors. It’s nonporous and doesn’t require special sealers or cleaners. Scratches are easily sanded out. It can be molded to include a seamless backsplash or integrated sink bowl.

Cons

It’s pricey, and it doesn’t have the charm of granite or quartz. It scratches and burns easily. Plus, it’s made of non-renewable resources, it’s energy-intensive to manufacture, and it’s difficult to recycle — not a great “green” choice.

Ideal Kitchen For a Busy Family

This on- the- go family of four had very specific requests for their new kitchen. Dondi Szombatfalvy, CKD with Bella Domicile, in Madison Wisconsin, worked closely with the family to design a beautiful space that encompassed all of their organizational priorities.
With two school age children the homeowners requested a homework area that was incorporated into the space, keeping the study area in close proximity without interfering with the working area of the kitchen.  And with limited wall storage, Dondi included 18” deep appliance door cabinets on either side of the study area, creating pantry and appliance storage within easy reach of the cook.Another interesting use of the space is the inclusion of two islands.  The homeowners wanted a prep island, close to the cooking area and at the same time wanted to incorporate a dining space into the room, without using the traditional dining table.  Dondi answered both of these requests, including  twin recycling cabinets and a 40 ½” high bank of cabinets at the end of the dining island that creates the visual divide between the kitchen and family room. Using Eli Cabinetry's line of cabinetry, the Sunbury House door style in Cherry was selected for the entire room. The beautiful Mission finish with Charcoal glaze and distressing gives this Traditional space an elegant feel, yet works perfectly for this busy family.

Using Bright Colors in Home Interiors

Using bright, bold colors in home interiors is daunting for many homeowners.  I often hear, "I love bright, beautiful colors but I'm afraid I won't like that color a few years from now!".  Many homeowners express concern about over-committing to a specific color that may be too overwhelming or too "loud" for their space.  And many express concern about whether or not they will still like that color in the years to come.

A popular trend right now in home interiors is to use that bright color in areas that can be easily updated in the years to come.  For example, painting a single wall in a bright blue or using bright yellow throw pillows on a sofa or side chair.  A single piece of furniture and a piece of artwork can be a great way to introduce a bright color without over-committing or dominating the space.  Many homeowners assume that a bright color needs to be repeated and tied into the space but that is not necessarily the case.  That single bright pop of color can be THE signature color statement in the room.  With the popularity of all-white or neutral gray interiors, a singular jolt of color can make a dramatic statement.

"Color Pop" is a term that refers to using bright jolts of color in small doses to make a statement or an eye-catching focal point.  Here are a few examples in home interiors ...

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ACCENT AND A GLAZE FINISH

One of the most important decisions that you will make in your design or remodeling project is selecting which finish will complement your design style.  Eli Cabinets offers many different finishes to choose from - everything from stained and painted finishes to our finish collections such as Weathered and Heritage paint.  One of the questions that I get asked most as a designer is "What is the difference between an accent and a glaze finish?" 

Accent Glaze - is applied over the stain or paint with a small brush to the profiles, corners and edges of the door.  It is designed to accentuate the details of the cabinet door but without affecting the base stain or paint color of the door.

Glaze - is a semi-transparent color applied over the stain or paint for added depth and dimension.  The glaze is wiped off all flat surfaces but it created a darkened highlight along profiles and corners to accentuate the detail of the cabinet door.  The glaze adds a subtle wash of color to the base stain color, darkening the overall color slightly and creating a subtle brush-stroked appearance.

Eli Custom Cabinetry

Demystifying Transitional Kitchen Design

Transitional design breaks away from the traditional style rules by adding modern elements. It is hard to define and open to interpretation for each person. It can be dressed out in any preferred way, blending modern elements with classic design. Part of what separates transitional kitchens from contemporary ones is that they allow for just a hint of decorative ornamentation to bridge the gap between fancy and plain, without going overboard. Another important aspect is that there must be something new that makes it fresh and updated.

Cabinets have a streamlined profile that fall short of modern -and they are generally made of wood as opposed to other contemporary materials. There is emphasis on the use of natural surfaces, streamlined tile and neutral colors. You could combine finishes and details. A key element is to mix the organic against the man made. For example: A stainless steel range hood gleams against wood cabinets and a marble back splash. Transitional kitchens usually feature textural elements that add visual interest.

With the warmth and welcome of traditional elements and the clean, simple lines of contemporary style, a transitional space casts a feeling of balance and harmony offering a great deal of flexibility for homeowners that don't want  to confine themselves to a single style.

More on Improving Your Kitchen's Air Quality

Your kitchen is a vital part of your home, and a part of your life. The practices you put into play can affect how your life transforms in other areas, too. At Eli Custom Cabinetry we are not just concerned about quality and craftsmanship, but also about the safety of the materials we use. In an attempt to provide our clients with healthier choices, all the finishes we use are low or cero VOC. As mentioned before, VOCs or volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids such as paints, lacquers and glues. They are also found in many of the household cleaners we commonly use (more to follow on this topic.) VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed.

At our shop we focus on decreasing the amount of off-gassing chemicals we use in order to improve the air quality in your home.