New Homes Construction – Top 5 Countertop Choices
As the final aesthetic preferences are made to your new home, you may find yourself making the hardest decisions in the kitchen. As a popular gathering area, the kitchen takes center stage for the new home, with the countertops often snagging the role of lead star. But while the glamour and beauty of a countertop may grab our attention, it isn’t just about looks alone. The material’s durability, maintenance and overall fit into your lifestyle are also key factors to consider when making your final selection for your new home. Here is a list of the top five best solid surface counters with both their advantages and disadvantages listed to help you decide.
Marble—A natural stone made from a form of hard crystallized metamorphic limestone. Viewed as the luxury class of countertops, this expensive stone is known for its beautiful appearance and light reflecting finish. You’ll often see it featured on cooking shows, as it is coveted by pastry chefs as a great surface for baking or working with chocolate. While it is heat resistant and won’t chip or dent, it can be susceptible to scratches and stains, even if sealed. It’s a little on the expensive side, but will bring beauty to your new home and last a long time with the right care.
Granite—A very hard, crystallized igneous rock consisting mostly of quartz and mica, it is often used as a building stone. One of the most popular countertops in new homes today, granite adds value to your home, making it great for future resale. It is more durable than marble and still gives off that natural glow of the stone. When cooking it won’t scratch and is heat and water resistant, but it must be sealed once a year.
Corian®—A brand name for solid surface material made by DuPont™, the counter is made of natural materials combined with acrylic polymer and has become popular in new homes. It comes in a range of thickness, colors, patterns, designs and finishes. Customize it to your exact preference. The non-porous material and one piece construction avoids dirt and bacteria traps, and keeps stains from setting in. While it is heat resistant, it is always a good idea to use hot pads to avoid direct contact. Best of all, DuPont™ offers a 10 year warranty.
Silestone or Caesarstone—An engineered surface made from natural quartz. It is available in over 60 colors and patterns, providing great flexibility when building a new home. Its non-porous quality makes it resistant to bacteria. It is also highly resistant to scratches, heat and stains. Plus, it’s maintenance free!
While there are a variety of countertops to choose from outside of this list, solid surface countertops remain the most popular—and it’s easy to see why. They are non-porous, heat resistant, scratch-resistant, easy to clean and maintain, long-lasting and will add not only beauty, but value to your new home. Richmond area home builders, Lifestyle Builders & Developers have put together a team of highly trained professionals who have been actively building homes for over 25 years in Midlothian, Henrico, Chesterfield, New Kent, Powhatan and the West End to insure you get the best options and quality you deserve. And don’t forget to check out their nationally award winning design studio to help you add all the personal touches you’ll love.
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