Adulting can be confusing. One day you are looking for a house to buy, and the other, you are thinking about buying countertops for your kitchen and bathroom. While we certainly can’t help you with property purchasing, we are more than happy to share a guide to help you get the best countertops. Enjoy!
Take the material seriously.
The material is what comprises the countertop. From granite to quartz countertops, there are plenty of options available. You can also have your countertops made of stainless steel and limestone.
NOTE: Your choice should be strictly based on how much wear and tear you will expose the material to.
Bathroom countertops face fewer hardships than kitchen countertops. Anyway, you must always go with something capable of resisting chips and stains.
Don’t ignore the warranty.
We all know countertops are quite an investment. It is for this reason that you can’t afford to ignore the warranty. Having a contract keeps you on the safer side. If the seller can’t stop talking about the goodness of the countertops they’re selling, you better ask for a warranty program. This is where the real judgment will begin.
When countertops please their customers with a reliable warranty, you deserve a similar assurance too. So, make sure you are buying your countertops from a trustworthy business.
Ask for sizable samples.
It is widespread for stores selling countertops to take you through samples of every piece they are recommending. However, there is a trick that dishonest businesses play. They show you palm-size examples of only the material of the countertops. This fails to give you a proper insight into how the actual product is going to be.
To avoid this unfavorable situation, you must ask the seller for a sizable sample. A walk in the stone yard would give you a good idea of the material and the size, weight, shape, and color of the countertops. You can also reserve a stone if you like it enough.
Don’t forget the sink.
There are mainly two types of sinks:
- Top-mounted
- Under-mounted
The first works well with all types of countertops and is dropped in once the countertop is fixed. The second one works well only with waterproof countertops and is placed under the countertop.
So, your choice should be clear enough.
Stainless steel and solid surfacing are used for both the counter and the sink to aim for a seamless look.
Pay special attention to measurements.
An ill-placed and badly cut countertop can do more harm than good. This is why you must call a fabricator to do the needful and take accurate measurements of your bathroom or kitchen, wherever you are installing your countertop.
Don’t mess up this step. It might cost you.
Think about maintenance.
It’s easy to fall head over heels for a particular countertop material. After all, it’s hard to resist the classic appeal of a granite countertop. But instead of thinking exclusively about looks, you must consider ease of maintenance as well.
Porous materials such as granite, marble, and limestone are common choices for countertop material. However, they involved quite a bit of maintenance. These materials must be oiled and sealed annually to resist stains and bacteria. If you have no qualms about this, then go ahead and rank these materials high on your list. But if you don’t want to spend extra time and money on maintenance, it’s best to look for alternatives.
Budget-conscious homeowners prefer quartz for their kitchen countertop. The primary reason is that it doesn’t require any fancy maintenance instructions. All it takes is to wipe the countertop with a cloth and you have a sparkling countertop once more.
Don’t forget your budget
It can be tempting to purchase a new kitchen countertop that you can’t afford. For this reason, it helps to set a budget prior to shopping so you know how much money you can comfortably spend.
As a wise homeowner, you should always explore the many options available on the market. For example, if you like the look of a marble countertop but couldn’t afford it, then you might want to consider going for a quartz countertop. It offers a similar look as a marble countertop but costs considerably less.
A good rule of thumb is to allot 15 to 30% of your kitchen renovation budget on the countertop. This serves as a good measuring stick for the quality of the countertop compared to the rest of the things in your kitchen. If you’re spending less than 15% on your countertop, there’s a good chance that you’re compromising too much on quality and functionality.
You should have derived the information that you are looking for by now. So, enjoy buying a new countertop for your bathroom or kitchen.
