New countertops can dress up a kitchen

The kitchen is not only the heart of many homes, but can also be a key selling point for a house. So, a kitchen remodel is a good investment for homeowners who want to make improvements, as well as new owners who want to put their own touches on their homes. One of the greatest impacts can be made by replacing the countertops with an upgraded material that will dress up the room.

Granite has long been a popular countertop material for homeowners looking to combine functionality with visual appeal in their kitchens. But granite is expensive and doesn’t appeal to everyone. Homeowners looking to spruce up their kitchens now have more choices in countertop materials in a variety of price ranges.

Bruce Hartcorn, owner/contractor of Hartcorn Construction, who remodels a half dozen kitchens each year in the Fallbrook area, said his clients always pick either granite or marble for the countertops. Marble is his personal favorite, but both look nice and come in a variety of natural colors.

Marble tends to be less expensive than granite while having the same luxurious look. However, marble is softer and more porous than granite, so it can stain easier and be scratched. Homeowners need to be sure to wipe up spills right away; routine sealing and a gentle touch are also necessary for those who choose marble countertops.

Granite and marble come in certain size slabs, Hartcorn said, adding that a countertop for a large kitchen will probably require two slabs, but if a homeowner has a small kitchen and a small bathroom that they are also remodeling, two slabs would furnish countertops for both rooms. This is a cost-cutting choice for the homeowner.

Another choice is solid wood. For some people, wood countertops create a warm, homey look to a kitchen. Butcher block counters are less expensive than granite and do not necessarily need to be ordered from a specialty retailer. But wood can stain and dent and even burn if hot pots or pans are placed on it. In Hartcorn’s opinion, woodblock countertops are only good for center islands in kitchens. Either way, regular application of oil can help homeowners maintain the appearance of their wood counters for years to come.

Soapstone is a natural stone composed mainly of mineral talc that gives the stone a smooth feel. Soapstone ranges from black to gray in color but can sometimes have a green shade to it. Other materials in the stone can produce veining. Although softer than granite, soapstone is still high-density and will hold up well. It does not stain or harbor bacteria, and exposure to chemicals and heat will not damage it. It is usually quarried in smaller slabs, no more than seven-feet long, so a longer countertop would require more than one slab.

While it has the look of natural stone, quartz is a manufactured product made of stone aggregate and polymers compressed under high pressure and requires less work to maintain. Quartz has consistent colors and patterns and is a nonporous material, so it will not need routine sealing and resealing.

An unusual choice, glass countertops are back-painted, so homeowners can order just about any color they want. The glass will be tempered, so it is safe and heat-resistant. Glass can scratch, though, so it is not as durable as other materials. It might be better used as an easily-cleaned backsplash.

Concrete is another material that can be colored to match homeowners’ color schemes. Concrete is relatively inexpensive compared to other countertop materials, but it can crack or chip. Hartcorn said he has not had a request for concrete countertops, but that he could make one if a client wanted it.

Hartcorn recommends homeowners have a professional install their new countertops as the installer needs to know how to make a template, cut the material, do the edging, install under-mount sinks, and polish the edges.

Homeowners who do not plan to sell their homes anytime soon can be more creative with their choices when it comes to renovating their homes. These homeowners can pick unconventional materials like glass or concrete for their kitchens or paint them colors like lime green or turquoise if they want to, without worrying about appealing to potential buyers.

However, if the goal is to make improvements in order to sell a property relatively soon, overly-personal touches can make a property harder to sell. Trends come and go, and improvements can be expensive. If the homeowners’ ultimate goal is to sell their home, they should choose renovations that will look beautiful for years to come and avoid bold choices that may only appeal to a select few buyers.

If choosing more popular or neutral countertop materials with resale intentions, a homeowner who prefers brighter colors can also pick out new pots, pans, and small appliances from a rainbow of color choices now available in stores and online. These choices can add the desired bright pops of color to any kitchen.

Whether homeowners plan to stay put or re-sell soon, the kitchen is a good place to make changes to their home to make it more practical and inviting, starting with new countertops.

For information on general kitchen remodeling, contact Bruce Hartcorn at (760) 723-9965 or (760) 518-8579, or email [email protected].