Countertop Materials

Choosing the right countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom is an important decision. After all, it’s where you clean up and prepare food, and also has an effect on your home’s value.

Photo Cred: interiordesignable.com

 

Granite. Granite countertops are among the most elegant materials available. They’re also among the most expensive. But if you are up for it, the natural stone has outstanding strength and other beautiful qualities. Granite is highly resistant to scratches and heat, making it an asset to cooking. One downside to granite is that it must be sealed because it is a porous stone and absorbs fluid. If not sealed, it can harbor bacteria. This only needs to be done every 10 to 15 years, however. Granite can run between $100 and $225 per square foot.

Quartz. Known as “engineered stone,” quartz countertops are made from about 90-93% quartz crystals, but are fabricated instead of cut from solid stone. Quartz countertops maintain all of the advantages of natural stone, such as durability, hardness, and beauty, in addition to overcoming stone’s natural weakness. They are not porous so they will not harbor bacteria, and come in a wider range of colors compared to granite. Less per square foot next to granite, quartz will run about $100 to $190 per square foot.

Laminate. Laminate countertops are among the most popular surfaces because of their affordability ($20 to $50 per square foot) and widest range of colors and patterns. Comprised of hard particleboard core and layers of plastic laminate bonded over top, laminate surfaces are tough and fairly durable.

Butcher Block. Rising in popularity in recent years are butcher block counter tops . They are excellent surfaces for food preparation and are often used in conjunction with other surfaces like granite and quarts. Many choose to surface an island with butcher block, while countertops under cabinets remain another material. Because of the wide variety of woods available, prices range anywhere from $30 to $200 per square foot.

It’s important to consider how much maintenance you’re willing to accommodate when selecting a countertop. Families with young children often opt for less expensive surfaces, while avid foodies require more elaborate options.

Designing the Perfect Kitchen

You’ve been pinning ideas to your Pinterest boards for what seems like years, and you’re finally ready to put your dream kitchen together. You might know what color cabinets you want, but do you know what style? Will your ideal floor match those cabinets, and how can you select the right countertop to pull it all together?

Here’s a few things to consider when you start building your culinary space – it is, after all, where you spend most of your day!

Cabinet materials can make a huge impact on your kitchen’s look. Darker stains are much more modern, while lighter woods remain very traditional. Flat cabinet doors give a minimalist look, louvered cabinet doors give the kitchen a very distinctive appearance, and beadboard doors give a more cottage-feel to your kitchen.  Consider glass panels if you have unique China to display.

Dressing up your cabinets with unique hardware can enhance your cabinets, while sleek, traditional knobs and pulls can help to tame your design. Test out a few in the hardware section if you have a couple extra minutes – you’d be surprised how they can make or break your kitchen’s design and flow.

Have you thought about a wet bar or island in your kitchen? Islands are great for creating pathways in your home (especially in Faber’s open floor plans), storing extra items, and creating more space to craft delicious meals. Islands are also fantastic places to seat a few people for a quick dinner or a couple cocktails.

 For flooring, it’s best to choose for your family’s need. Porcelain tiles are low-maintenance and match nearly any design, while stone tiles are appealing in formal setting, Generally, the more texture, grain, decorative options and finish your selected cabinets have, the more your floor is able to aesthetically handle.

Countertops, like hardware, can enhance or tame your design. Two of three of these components should have the same tone or accent color: cabinets, flooring and countertops. Dark cabinets and light countertops should have a dark floor counterpart, for example, helping to solidify the design.

There’s a lot to consider, so get designing!

Making the Most of Your Claridge Decorating Centre Trip

It can all seem a little overwhelming: cabinet colors, cabinet height and arrangement, countertop options, flooring, hardware… The options are endless! So how can you make the most of your trip to the Claridge Decorating Centre? Faber Homes is here to help.

When working with Faber Homes to create your dream home, keep in mind that you must pick each and every odd and end in your home. Before heading to Claridge, know where your furniture will be placed and where your outlets are, so when you plan your kitchen and bathrooms, you know where you’ll need to plug everything in.

Here are few quick and easy steps to take before heading to your meeting:

Know what Claridge offers. Once you enter the Claridge Decorating Centre, you’ll notice a plethora of choices right off the bat, and the room seems to never end. It’s likely we’ve got it all, but if you’d like to come in and see our selection – please schedule a time with your sales representative.

Have a “top three” of the following:

·         Kitchen cabinets (color and style)

·         Kitchen countertops

·         Flooring (you’ll pick for your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and all carpeted areas)

You’ll be presented with fabulous builder’s standard options, sure to fit any family’s needs, and a wide range of upgrade. Know your upgrade budget, and which items would constitute as an upgrade to your base floor plan such as:

·         Adding another bathroom sink

·         Raising the height of your countertops

·         Adding six inches to the height of your cabinets, or adding crown molding

·         Laminate or hardwood flooring

Always remember – you are building your home for your family’s needs. Certain types of flooring and cabinets might not be the best fit if you have kids or pets, so talk to your sales representative or anyone at Claridge about your wants and needs. They’ll help you find a balance.

Do a little research. Remember, Faber Homes’ floor plans are created to be open, so while you may have different themes for each room, make sure to have an idea of how the designs will transition. Websites like Houzz, HGTV, and DIY can help you get inspired and build your perfect rooms. Bring in photos and printouts of what you you’re dreaming up, and even some photos of your furniture to help tie it all together.

Most importantly – have fun! This is the most creative part of your home building process – so enjoy it!