Kitchen
Countertops exposed
Countertops exposed
Kitchen
Countertops exposed
BUTCHER BLOCK
ECO-ALERT! Always look for the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) symbol, which certifies that the product comes from a forest managed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
Pros
- Can be moderately priced
- Scratches can be removed by sanding
Cons
- Somewhat resistant to heat and water
- Vulnerable to fire and burns
Maintenance
- Wash with damp cloth and mild dish detergent
- Treat regularly with mineral oil
- Don’t varnish and avoid vegetable oil, which leaves a sticky residue
Cost (installed)
- $65+ per square foot
SOAPSTONE
Pros
- Visually rich-looking
- Smooth touch and finish
- Highly resistant to heat and stains
Cons
- High maintenance
- Vulnerable to cracks, which can’t be fixed
- Can be expensive
Maintenance
- Coat with mineral oil once a month to preserve colour
- Wash with damp cloth and mild dish detergent
- Small scratches can be removed through sanding
Cost (installed)
- $60–$100 per square foot
LAMINATE
Pros
- Variety of colours and styles
- DIY option
- Affordable
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- Vulnerable to heat and stains as well as burns and scratches
Maintenance
- Wash with damp cotton cloth and mild dish detergent
- Use trivets to avoid heat damage
Cost (installed)
- $15–$30 per square foot
CONCRETE
Pros
- Colour-customization available
- Very durable
- Resistant to heat
Cons
- Requires annual resealing
- Heavy
- Can crack
- Vulnerable to stains
- Expensive
Maintenance
- Wash with damp cloth and mild dish detergent
- Clean up spills
- immediately to avoid staining
Cost (installed)
- $70+ per square foot
SOLID SURFACING (Corian)
Pros
- Huge selection of colours and styles
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Resistant to heat, stains and dents
Cons
- Any abrasions require professional care
- Can be expensive
Maintenance
- Gently sponge using a mild abrasive liquid cleaner
- Wash with damp cloth; towel dry
Cost (installed)
- $50–$100 per square foot
CERAMIC TILE
Pros
- Large variety of colours and styles
- Highly resistant to heat and moisture
- Affordable
Cons
- Vulnerable to cracks and chips
- Tiles take time to install and set
- Grout can accumulate dirt
Maintenance
- Wash with damp cloth and mild dish detergent
- Use epoxy on grout to prevent staining
Cost (installed)
- $20–$70 per square foot
PAPERSTONE
ECO-ALERT! Manufactured from 100-percent post-consumer recycled paper.
Pros
- Wide range of colours available
- Harder than wood
- Resistant to heat, stains and scratches
Cons
- Colour can lighten over time with UV exposure
- Very expensive
Maintenance
- Requires semi-annual sealing with PaperStone Finish (contains 100-percent food-safe ingredients)
Cost (installed)
$190+ per linear foot
MARBLE
Pros
- Attractive look
- Highly resistant to heat and water
Cons
- Requires semi-annual resealing
- Vulnerable to scratches and stains
- Expensive
Maintenance
- Wash with lukewarm water
- For polished finish, use marble polish semi-annually to maintain shine
- To create honed finish, apply a clear silicone-based sealer
Cost (installed)
- $70+ per square foot
ENGINEERED STONE (Zodiaq, Silestone)
Pros
- Smooth finish
- Hygienic
- Low maintenance
- Durable
- No sealants or waxes required
- Resistant to stains, heat and bacteria
Cons
- Doesn’t look as rich as marble or granite
- Abrasions need professional care
- Can be expensive
Maintenance
- Wash with damp cloth and, if necessary, non-bleach, non-abrasive cleanser
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent staining
Cost (installed)
- $60–$100 per square foot
STAINLESS STEEL
ECO-ALERT! Stainless steel is the most recycled material in Canada. Chances are your new countertop is constructed out of recycled steel.
Pros
- Very durable
- Hygienic
- Low maintenance
- Simple buffing
- can help keep up appearance
- Resistant to heat and rust
Cons
- Vulnerable to dents and marks (especially fingerprints)
- Can be expensive
- Can be noisy when working on unless wood is used as reinforcement during installation
Maintenance
- When washing, wipe with grain
- Avoid bleach, which stains
- Mild abrasive powder can be used
Cost (installed)
- $60+ per square foot
ICESTONE
ECO-ALERT! Manufactured from 100-percent recycled glass.
Pros
- Offers more colour-customization options than granite
- Stronger than marble
- Resistant to heat and scratches
Cons
- Can stain if not properly maintained
- Expensive
Maintenance
- Wash daily with mild soap and water
- Avoid ammonia- and bleach-based cleaners
Cost (installed)
- $120 per square foot
GRANITE
Pros
- Wide selection of colours available
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Very durable
- Resistant to heat, water and stains
Cons
- Requires regular maintenance
- Can be expensive
Maintenance
- Dust twice a week with soft cloth
- Requires annual resealing
- Cleaning products containing acid or alkaline can strip stone polish
Cost (installed)
- $60+ per square foot
THE BACKSPLASH
For a uniform effect, the same materials used for the counters can be used for the backsplash (the area of the wall between the back edge of the counter and the cupboards above). For a contrasting effect, you can paint your own mural – if you’re good with a paintbrush – or apply faux finish with a coat of polyurethane. If you opt for ceramic tiles, always install them working upwards from the counter. A trick is to place the first row of tiles on spacer bars to maintain an equal space between the counter and the backsplash
THE WARRANTY
Regardless of how much you pay for your counters, carefully read the terms and conditions of the warranty, as they can vary widely from one retailer to the next. That said, remember that you are covered at all times by a legal warranty requiring that your product last a reasonable amount of time, based on its cost and the conditions under which it is used.
DO-IT-YOURSELF OR DEFER TO AN EXPERT?
Laminate and ceramic counters are the only types that do-it-yourselfers should install, provided that they’re good with their hands and have the required patience. Laminate. Available in lengths ranging from 1.2 to 4 metres (4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 feet), these pre-moulded counters are designed to be installed above cupboards measuring about 0.6 metres (24 inches) in depth. In general, they include a backsplash extending a few centimetres above the back wall. To measure the surface area covered, calculate the distance between the wall and the edge farthest from it, adding 25 millimetres (one inch) on the sides if they’re going to be exposed. Where the two surfaces meet at a 90-degree angle, add 25 millimetres (one inch) on the sides and six millimetres (1/4 inch) to account for the angle. If you’re concerned about making a mistake, some manufacturers and retailers offer a measurementtaking
service. (But fees do apply.)
Ceramic. Take the exact measurements of the surface to cover. Based on these, the retailer will know how many tiles to cut. And be sure to use epoxy grout, which is more resistant to stains and dirt. – Isabelle Bergeron
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