Count on Your Countertop: Tips for Shopping Surfaces

Before you start shopping for kitchen countertops, it’s a good idea to consider three factors that will affect your decision-making: budget, function and lifestyle, and aesthetics. With the variety of materials, treatments, and maintenance options on the market, narrowing your field before you hit the showroom floor will make the selection process a lot more fun.

Before You Shop

Consider lifestyle and function first: Are you hard on your surfaces, or is your kitchen barely-used? Do you have an empty nest, or a house full of rambunctious kids making messes? Do you cook and entertain every night, or is your kitchen mostly in use on weekends? You’ll want to consider these factors when considering long-term maintenance, stain resistance, and overall durability of the material.

Your budget will also play an important role in choosing the right countertop—and don’t forget about backsplashes, edging, and delivery and installation fees.

Finally, you’ll want to consider aesthetics, making sure your personal style is reflected throughout your kitchen redesign. A certified kitchen designer can help you find a countertop that falls within your budget, and fits your lifestyle and cooking habits.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

Are you interested in installing countertops outdoors, such as a patio kitchen or grilling area? Exposure to the elements makes choosing the right surface even more important, and one of our favorite products to recommend is Dekton by Cosentino. This ultra-compact surface has low porosity, which means low-maintenance, long-lasting countertops. Dekton surfaces are highly resistant to UV light, and are the most scratch-resistant on the market; its ability to withstand high temperatures means you can place hot pots and pans directly on the surface without damaging it. Further, Dekton’s low coefficient of thermal expansion makes it thermal shock-proof from both extreme heat, and extreme cold—perfect for our hot, Houston summers. And since it never requires sealing, Dekton is among the lowest-maintenance options available to homeowners.

Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen? Our certified kitchen designers can help! Stop in to our new showroom at The Shoppes at Memorial Villages at I-10 and Wirt Road, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Houzz.