A Design Story

... stories of design, inspiration and mommyhood

  • The Story
  • Blog
  • House Tours
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Home
  • Advertise
  • Need A Designer?
  • Shop My Instagram

March 3, 2010 by Lindsay

Readers Tell All: What would you pick?

This week we’re wondering about your dream kitchens. Well, mainly the countertops. Do you yearn for Granite or Zodiaq? Or is it Corian that tickles your fancy?  Selecting the right countertop for your space is one of the most important decisions you will have to make in the kitchen. The countertop sets the tone for the space and can really add both a dramatic and luxurious feeling to the space. So, do you need a little help on choosing the right material for your space? Here is a little guide to enlighten you on the features and concerns of some of the most popular countertop choices.

Granite

Features:

  • Durable
  • Stain resistant when sealed
  • Water and heat resistant

Concerns:

  • Avoid Ammonia products when cleaning
  • Can be fairly expensive to install
  • Use qualified installers

Zodiaq (Engineered Composite Stone)

Features:

  • Requires no sealing
  • Nonporous
  • Abrasion, stain and impact resistant

Concerns:

  • Not as heat resistant as natural stone
  • Resinous feel and appearance

Concrete

Features:

  • Durable
  • Custom colors available
  • Tactile surface
  • Acquires patina from use

Concerns:

  • Sealer recommended
  • Subject to staining and cracking
  • Hot elements will damage sealer
  • Qualified installers required

Plastic Laminate

Features:

  • Moderate Cost
  • Waterproof and stain resistant
  • Water and heat resistant
  • Easily cleaned

Concerns:

  • Not heat resistant
  • Seam lines
  • Joints susceptible to damage
  • Scratches cannot be repaired

Marble

Features:

  • Heat resistant
  • Natural stone features
  • Tactile feel on honed finish

Concerns:

  • Costly
  • Sealer required
  • Susceptible to staining
  • Use a qualified installer

Slate

Features:

  • Available in a honed finish
  • Stain proof and antibacterial
  • Water and heat resistant

Concerns:

  • Costly
  • Avoid ammonia products
  • Use qualified installers

Ceramic Tile

Features:

  • Durable
  • Water proof when sealed
  • Stain and heat resistant

Concerns:

  • Costly
  • Glaze may be damaged by grit
  • Grout requires maintenance
  • Tile can chip from impact

Stone Tile

Features:

  • Less expensive than dimension stone
  • Natural stone features in tile form
  • Water, stain and heat resistant

Concerns:

  • Labor-intensive to install
  • Grout requires maintenance

Wood (for islands)

Features:

  • Forgiving surface (does not dull knives)

Concerns:

  • Susceptible to water damage
  • Monthly application of mineral oil required
  • Scorch marks and light stains can be sanded

Solid Surface (Corian)

Features:

  • Water and stain  resistant
  • Light stains, scratches and scorches can be buffed out
  • Integral sinks available

Concerns:

  • Not heatproof
  • Costly to fabricate and install
  • Avoid Acetone

Soapstone

Features:

  • Soft, satiny, tactile feel
  • Water, stain and heat resistant

Concerns:

  • Bimonthly oil treatment required to prevent chipping
  • Can be costly
  • Use qualified installers

Stainless Steel

Features:

  • Integral sinks available
  • Used in commercial applications
  • Water, stain and heat resistant

Concerns:

  • Subject to water spots
  • Plywood backup recommended to reduce noise
  • Use qualified installers

As for Kevin and I, our home now has Corian countertops in the kitchen. We like the durability and smooth touch of the Corian, but in our next home we plan to install Granite for the overall luxurious feeling as well as the durability and functionality. How about you? What countertops do you dream of having in your kitchen? Or did you recently install a fabulous countertop… we want to hear all about it!

All images courtesy of House Beautiful, Country Living and Signature Kitchens and Baths.

Related posts:

Rehab House: Mood Board
Reader's Tell All: Wallpaper
Readers Tell All: Media in the Master?
Psychology of Color
❮❮ Previous Post
Next Post ❯ ❯

Comments

  1. schijtbnc says

    March 13, 2010 at 12:58 am

    This is my first visit here, but I will be back soon, because I really like the way you are writing, it is so simple and honest

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

Hi, I am Lindsay Milner, the designer, fashionista, blogger & mommy behind A Design Story! I am a happy wife & momma that loves all things stylish! I love blogging, interior design, shopping, having fun on the beach, making our house a home, hanging out with family, drinking coffee & running around after our kiddos.

Welcome! Want to know more?
Click here for the full story.

Newsletter

Search

  • Heart Spoken
  • Amazon Store
  • Favorite Posts
  • House Tours
  • Mommyhood
  • Gluten Free Me
  • Family & Living
  • Fresh Picks
  • Videos
  • Our Wedding
  • Facebook Community
  • Loves

Instagram

adesignstory

 412    11572


  • You are what you eat, so eat something sweet I teamed up with some fun mamas to create a festive snack tray with a Valentine’s twist! AND we are all chipping in to buy 3 of you Valentine’s Day dinner on us! TO ENTER: Follow everyone below, then like each post and comment: where your dream Valentine’s dinner date would be! We will pick THREE winners, who will each receive a $75 gift card to a restaurant of their choosing. Get your sugar-fix, and check them all out: @simplyseptemberblog @themommynichols @heyitsjenna @mommylexiloves @bashfullychic @kelsimsavage @kacicollins @adesignstory @ariellemae . . #valentines
  • My favorite part about Valentine’s Day is spending it with our little family! We usually do a fun family day to celebrate and then a date either before or after the big day! How do you celebrate? I received the sweetest gift in the mail from Inspire Me Bracelet! I’m completely obsessed with my new bracelet and I just had to share! @inspiremebracelets has best gifts for Valentines day when it comes to loved ones. On top of their current sale you can use my discount code (Lindsay20) to get an additional 15% off your entire order!!! They have over
  • Decorating golden rule... Love what you bring into your home! #ad Don’t design completely around a trend... those fade. Design around what you love... Still just as thankful for our @cityfurniture Newport Collection as I was the day they delivered it! It’s added storage, functionality and the look of built-ins for less! What’s the design style that brings you happiness? Details: Furniture: Newport Collection Lanterns: Dallas Lantern . . . . #inspiremeneutral #prettylittleinteriors #showthatinspo #thatroomiseverything #showmeyourstyled #cljsquad #myhomevibe #makingmyhaven #hunkerhome #homeloveliving #mycoastalabode #homedecor #mycrumbshome #hometakestime #smmakelifebeautiful #homewithrue #homedbody #thedelightofdecor #cityfurniture #floridainfluencer #lakewoodranch #coastaldecor #ls2ihh22
  • ☀️ Live Cozy! Home sure is the comfiest place to be! I have some fun new ideas for some of our spaces coming up soon. In the meantime, I am going to start my yearly spring clean purge in the coming days... do you guys do any spring cleaning? I usually make a list from room to room and it always feels so good when it’s all done! Oh... and this pajama set is everything!!! So so cozy!!! Visit the link above and click shop my Instagram... fully in stock right now!
  • It’s been a tough start to the week, but extremely thankful I get to have my best buddy (Bentley) longer! Sunday we came home from the beach and he was having an episode. After a Vet ER visit and a follow up today, I am just so grateful I heard the words take him home and enjoy him longer. Although I have no idea how long it might be, 14.5 years with this dog just isn’t long enough. I giggled when I told the vet that I am sure he gets tons of stories about how people love their pets,
  • @BJsWholesale curbside pickup is the best friend of busy Moms everywhere! #BJsWholesalePartner I love that I can sit in the comfort of my own home, while enjoying a good cup of coffee and order what I need for our family in a flash. Pulling up in that curbside lane and not having to wrangle kiddos or pull out the stroller is truly lifesaving some days. Busy moms know what I am talking about! I love that BJ’s offers convenient shopping options for the days that are curbside pickup kind-of days, same-day delivery kind-of days, and the days that call for

Sponsors

I’M LOVING

Categories

DIY Beachy Art

Fall Favorites 2020

DIY Beachy Art

Fall Favorites 2020

  • Blog Info
  • Disclaimer
  • Archives
  • House Tours

Powered by ClikWiz