34 The Courier sun • at home • MAY 19, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com AT HOME THE COUNTERTOP DILEMMA By Tresa Erickson Quartz. Granite. Glass. Tile. Stainless steel. Laminate. The list goes on and on for countertop materials, overwhelming some homeowners and making it difficult for them to select the right one for their kitchen or bathroom. If you are in this boat, don’t despair. You can select the right countertop material with a few pointers. Of course, budget will play a big role in your decision. If you have some money to spend, you may be able to go with more costly options, like quartz or granite. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to concentrate on less expensive options, like tile, stainless steel and laminate. You must consider your lifestyle, too. Do you have children? Then you will want something that stands up to lots of wear and tear. Do you cook all of the time? Then you may want a material that could be found in a commercial kitchen. You should consider your personal preferences and design style as well. Do you like the look of stone? Then by all means, select granite or some other natural stone for your countertop material. Do you like the look of glass or stainless steel? Then, go for it! Once you have narrowed your choices, do your homework and research the materials you like. Find out what each costs and what restrictions are in place. Can you cut vegetables and put hot pans on the material without damaging it? Can you roll dough on it? Find out if the material is stain-proof and what kind of care it requires. Will the juice of acidic fruits stain the material? Does it have to be sealed? Granite is one of the most durable countertop materials available. You can cut foods on it, place hot pans on it and roll dough on it. It must be sealed from time to time, however, and costs quite a bit to install, unlike tile, which is relatively inexpensive. You cannot cut foods or roll dough on tile, and neither granite nor tile is stain-proof, unlike quartz, glass and stainless steel. Keep in mind as you are shopping that you can combine materials in your kitchen. You can use granite for the majority of your countertops, marble for the baking area and butcher block for the island. Of course, the more materials you use, the more likely the cost will rise. Shop for countertops with care. Do your homework and make the right choice for you. You will be living with your countertops for years to come, so don’t throw caution to the wind. FREE ESTIMATES • Complete Maintenance Service • Seasonal Plants & Installation • Shrubs • Spring & Fall Clean-Ups • Sod & Hydro-Seed • Cement & Concrete • Garbage Removal 718-738-1969 or 917-297-8150 •
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