How to Compare Kitchen Work Tops
- 1). Take measurements of the space and determine a project budget. Be sure to measure the width and the depth for accurate measurements. With the measurements in mind, shopping for new work tops is simpler. Measuring and creating a budget will help to narrow down the available choices when it comes time to compare work tops.
- 2). Browse the available work top materials. Kitchen work tops come in a wide variety of materials but some materials are better for kitchen work tops than others, depending on your needs and use. Worktop materials include ceramic tile, laminate, wooden butcher block, stainless steel, polished cement, solid-surface material, quartz, natural stone and engineered stone.
- 3). Consider the cost of each material, both at purchase and in the long run. A material like granite is quite expensive but has low-maintenance requirements and can still be affordable on a small budget for those with smaller kitchens. Marble, on the other hand, is very expensive and has high upkeep costs, making it a rarely purchased product for kitchen work tops.
- 4). Check the durability of each material. Kitchen work tops are expensive, so looking for something that will last is important. Laminate and solid-surface materials are less durable than tile or stone, for instance. Ceramic tile is more easily damaged than quartz, while marble is softer and more difficult to care for than granite. Butcher block counters are work-friendly surfaces but don't retain their beauty as long as harder materials.
- 5). Ask for samples of the materials you're considering. Take the sample chips home and compare them to your kitchen decor. This is less important if the counters are the first consideration for a remodeling but work tops being installed in a preexisting kitchen space should match the room's other elements.
