Top 4 Questions You Should Ask Before Selecting Kitchen Countertops

Our everything inside of your kitchen, your countertops play a very demanding role. Not only do your kitchen countertops hold appliances and food items. But they’re also used for slicing, rolling and prepping foods.

All sorts of things can go wrong here – scratches, burns and stains. But not if you choose a kitchen counter that’s durable and high-quality.

There are so many different types of counters you can invest in, which can make the selection process complex and overwhelming. So, to help you with finding the best countertop for your kitchen, we put together this quick guide.

Let’s discover some of the questions you should be asking before you purchase a kitchen countertop.

1.How Will I Use the Countertops?

This is probably the most important question you’ll need to ask yourself before you decide on a kitchen countertop. What you plan to use it for will help determine the best material for the job. Just as you wouldn’t use a silk glove to remove a hot pan from the oven, nor should you use a cheap counter for a heavy-duty job.

You’ll quickly learn that there are so many varieties of countertop styles and materials to select from. This can make it a cumbersome task to get through. However, as you educate yourself about the different materials, you’ll see why certain counters are better than others.

For instance, if you’re planning to use your new kitchen countertop for lots of prepping and cooking, then you’ll need something high-quality. Instead of going for laminate and vinyl, you should opt for a stone like quartz, marble or granite.

These varieties come with tough surfaces that can last a very long time with special care. Granite and marble are natural stones widely used in kitchen settings. But do keep in mind they need to be resealed every so often to maintain their integrity.

If you don’t want this type of investment, then you’re better off going with engineered quartz.

2.How Much Maintenance is Too Much?

As we’ve already mentioned, stone countertops require special care. Natural stones like granite and marble require sealing and resealing every so often. This means you must dish out money for this regularly.

In doing so, you will be able to keep your kitchen countertops looking like new for a very long time. The sealant gives the countertop surface endurance to battle against stains, scratches and burns.

But again, if you don’t want to worry about sealing, then engineered quartz is the option for you. No sealant is required, yet it still maintains itself very well. This is because it’s nonporous and made with resin.

The surface is resistant to stains, scratches and heat. The quality you get from either of the stones you opt for will outweigh any benefits of materials like laminate, vinyl and wood.

If you’re okay with consistently maintaining your surface, then you’ll be alright with wood in the kitchen. Just be wary that wood is easily scratched and will require regular sanding and finishing.

Some folks that like the butcher’s block wood will use it for the kitchen island only. Then the rest of the kitchen has stone countertops.

Consider your budget, daily lifestyle, family size and kitchen use to see which countertop would best suit your household.

3.What Are the Requirements of My Kitchen?

Now that you have an idea of what type of materials you’re considering, it’s time to do a bit more research. For instance, what are the dimensions of your kitchen? Are you looking to have new kitchen countertops installed for your island only or throughout the entire space?

Are you considering adding additional countertops for more storage and prep space? Whatever the answers to these questions, you’ll need to take down measurements. In doing so, you’ll be able to come up with a ballpark figure for your countertop.

Once you know the cost of fabrication and installation per sq. ft., you can do the calculations. If you have budget constraints, you may find you’re better off going with granite over marble.

And if you have a little leg room, then you may even be able to upgrade to the beautiful engineered quartz.

4. What is My Budget for Kitchen Countertops?

It’s very tempting to try and stretch your budget as much as you can to get the exact countertops you want. But you don’t want to go into debt over your kitchen counter installation.

Then you have to factor in other costs if you’re remodeling other portions of your kitchen. You’ll find that a downgrade to a low-grade granite from a high-end butcher’s block countertop.

Do the math to ensure you’re in the green when it comes to paying for the materials and the contractor. And if you can find a contractor that sells, fabricates and installs the countertop, even better!

Hiring a Kitchen Countertop Contractor

Finding a contractor that offers a one-stop shop experience is closer than you think. At Granite ASAP, we have a team of licensed and insured professionals, who will both fabricate and install your countertops.

For years, we’ve assisted homeowners throughout Virginia with their countertop upgrades. Our contractors specialize in kitchen and bathroom countertop installations.

The materials we have available include granite, quartz and marble. You can visit our local showroom to look at the products firsthand before you make the purchase.

The brands of counters we carry include Caesarstone, MSI, Cambria and Silestone. We also have bathroom vanities you can consider. The areas we install countertops for include Herndon, DC, Tysons, Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria and other surrounding areas.

If you’re looking for a new quality countertop for your kitchen, then give us a call today for your free estimate!