Going the Extra Refacing Mile: Choosing the Right Kitchen Countertop

by Melissa Bullard
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

Refacing your kitchen cabinets? Congratulations! If you've chosen the right materials and the right contractor, it's likely that you're going to get a whole new look for your kitchen at less than half the cost of a remodel. Refacing your kitchen cabinets is a great way to update and refresh your kitchen without the hassle or cost of total cabinet replacement.

However, if you are going for a completely new look for the cabinets, you might want to consider replacing or refacing other elements of your kitchen as well. After all, if your kitchen was built during the 70s, it's likely that replacing the avocado-green formica cabinets with wood or a vinyl laminate makes them now clash with the orange countertops and brown linoleum floor. This is where new kitchen countertops come in. Depending on the overall feel you want for your kitchen, you can choose from the following popular countertop materials:

• Laminate: If you're out to save money, laminate might be the perfect choice for you. Laminate countertops come in a variety of colors and are easy to clean; however, they aren't as resistant to extreme heat as granite or ceramic tile, and can scratch or chip.
• Granite: Granite has become a popular option over the last several years because it looks good and is quite durable. While it is somewhat porous, it shouldn't stain as long as you keep up with resealing it on a regular basis. The downside is its higher price and the fact that it is so hard you have to be quite careful with your dishes and glassware.
• Ceramic tile: Ceramic tile countertops are a good option if you want a material that is durable and on which you can place hot items. While ceramic tiles can chip, it is fairly easy to replace just one tile, which means that you can fix the problem without replacing the whole countertop. One of the major disadvantages of tile countertops is keeping up with the grout in between each tile.
• Quartz: Quartz countertops are increasing in popularity. Made mostly from ground quartz, with a small percentage of bulk coming from binding resins, quartz countertops are hard like granite countertops, yet don't require as much upkeep. They also come in a wide variety of colors.

Giving your kitchen a fresh start doesn't require a total rehaul of every element. If you know what you want and you're satisfied with your basic layout, refacing your kitchen cabinets and replacing your countertop can bring new life to an old design.

 

About the Author

Melissa Bullard earned a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, then a Master's Degree in Spanish Language and Literatures from the University of Nevada, Reno. She has taught writing, literature, and Spanish classes, and is currently working as a fre