Kitchen Countertops: Choosing Which Option is Right for your Kitchen Cabinet Countertop
Choosing a countertop for your kitchen cabinets can be overwhelming. Depending on your taste and budget, kitchen countertops can be a very expensive investment. Laminate countertops that have been the industry kitchen cabinets standard for decades, but now there are a wide variety of solid core, stone and butcher block countertops to choose from.
Let’s talk about Laminate Countertops. This is by far your least expensive option. The typical laminate countertops for kitchen cabinets now are up to 400% more durable than they were just ten years ago. They are more resistant to scratching scuffing and burning. They also come in a huge variety of colors, textures and patterns and finishes. The drawback to laminate is that they CAN be affected by excess heat, say from a pot, and the edges will be exposed. If you are looking for a clean look and durability, laminate countertops will not be your best choice.
Let’s talk about finishes. There are three main types of finishes. Gloss, semi-gloss or satin and textured.
Gloss finish is very shiny. It can mimic with great success, stone like polished granite and marble on your kitchen cabinets. It is, though more durable than in the past, the finish that is most prone to scratching and scuffing. It also can show wipe marks more often. So, using this finish above your kitchen cabinets in front of a window or strong light is not usually a good idea. Using a light color will help hide wipe marks. This is a finish you would prefer in an area where your kitchen cabinets get the least amount of use. Using counter protectors on your kitchen cabinets is a good idea with this finish.
