Things You Should Know Before Getting a Kitchen Countertop
Posted on August 26, 2022
The countertop installation serves as the magnum opus in the kitchen remodeling project. The countertop gives your kitchen the desired look and functionality. It’s essential to select your countertop based on thorough research of factors such as material, color, ease of installation, maintenance, and cost.
Some expert tips and recommendations to help you get started.
Choosing the Material
In terms of materials for your countertop, there are plenty of options. Each has its pros and cons.
The most popular ones are:
Some expert tips and recommendations to help you get started.
Choosing the Material
In terms of materials for your countertop, there are plenty of options. Each has its pros and cons.
The most popular ones are:
- Granite
Granite is one of the most durable materials on this list, and it has beautiful patterns that will add some uniqueness to your kitchen.
- Soapstone
Soapstone is granite's biggest competitor, thanks to similar durability. The gray color presents earthen vibes, so if that's what you are looking for, this is the stone for you.
- Marble
Marble is a luxurious stone that brings a Mediterranean look to your kitchen. The plain white stone is also incredibly durable but a bit costly.
- Wood
Wood looks timeless in kitchens and brings cozy vibes to your home. Unfortunately, it isn’t as durable and, if not maintained, can degrade rather quickly.
- Quartz
A quartz kitchen countertop is the easiest to maintain, thanks to its non-porous surface. It is also called engineered stone and is available in various colors to match your walls.
- Stainless Steel
Stainless steel countertop if you want an industrial kitchen look; it is very reflective and just as durable as some heavy hitters on this list.
- Concrete
If your countertop shape is unique, concrete may be your ideal choice. It's completely customizable as per your preference and; is easy to clean and durable.
Setting Up the Support
Most kitchen countertop materials are heavy and require sturdy support to ensure a long lifespan. In most kitchens, cabinets; are used as support for the countertop. If you're going for one of the heavier materials, such as marble, you may need to get your cabinets checked for structural integrity first.
If your cabinets aren’t strong enough to support the countertop, you’ll either have to replace them or change your chosen material. While setting up the support, you also need to consider the positions of your appliances. You may need to provide additional support from the walls or a wooden beam running between adjacent cabinets for heavy gadgets.
Preparing for Installation
Before the installation day, it is necessary to make a few preparations. Since your countertop will be the last thing to be installed in the kitchen, you need to have everything from your sink to your plumbing ready onsite. It's also a good idea to have your appliances available during the installation so you can easily spot structural weaknesses and have them fixed.
Countertops usually take about two weeks to be fabricated and can be installed within a day, so it’s good to keep this timeline in mind while getting everything else ready.
Additional Tips to Keep in Mind
Apart from the above, there are a few more things; you should know before the installation begins.
Setting Up the Support
Most kitchen countertop materials are heavy and require sturdy support to ensure a long lifespan. In most kitchens, cabinets; are used as support for the countertop. If you're going for one of the heavier materials, such as marble, you may need to get your cabinets checked for structural integrity first.
If your cabinets aren’t strong enough to support the countertop, you’ll either have to replace them or change your chosen material. While setting up the support, you also need to consider the positions of your appliances. You may need to provide additional support from the walls or a wooden beam running between adjacent cabinets for heavy gadgets.
Preparing for Installation
Before the installation day, it is necessary to make a few preparations. Since your countertop will be the last thing to be installed in the kitchen, you need to have everything from your sink to your plumbing ready onsite. It's also a good idea to have your appliances available during the installation so you can easily spot structural weaknesses and have them fixed.
Countertops usually take about two weeks to be fabricated and can be installed within a day, so it’s good to keep this timeline in mind while getting everything else ready.
Additional Tips to Keep in Mind
Apart from the above, there are a few more things; you should know before the installation begins.
- Keep children and pets away from the kitchen during the installation process.
- If you’re remodeling your whole kitchen, keep the painting process on hold until the countertop gets installed, as the process can cause scratches in the paint.
- If you have any breakables or fragile items in your kitchen, it may be wise to have them removed.
- Ensure that the installers have a clear pathway to your kitchen and access to a working electrical socket for power tools.
- It's good to keep your kitchen ventilated; to reduce the fumes inside as binding chemicals such as epoxy and silicone may be used. The fumes may stay for a few days after installation, so keep the windows open.
- Be present during the installation process to make necessary decisions. It will help prevent any mishaps that require the process; to be repeated the next day.
- Be sure to request your contractor for the warranty after the installation gets completed.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve done proper research, installing the perfect countertop for your kitchen would be a breeze. You'll relish your dream kitchen for years if you maintain it properly.
The platform will help you find the right contractors according to your requirements and provide you with the best estimate for the same. If you are planning your Kitchen countertop renovation, you should contact Justtilesetters right away!
If you’ve done proper research, installing the perfect countertop for your kitchen would be a breeze. You'll relish your dream kitchen for years if you maintain it properly.
The platform will help you find the right contractors according to your requirements and provide you with the best estimate for the same. If you are planning your Kitchen countertop renovation, you should contact Justtilesetters right away!