What to Consider When Planning A Countertop Installation
When you are considering a new countertop for your home, the choices can be overwhelming. Even if you know what you like when it comes to kitchen design, you may be surprised when you begin looking and seeing all the options. With this in mind, we will take a brief look at what to consider if you are contemplating a new countertop installation.
Which Design Style Is for You
One of the main considerations when it comes to a new countertop for the kitchen is the design. Which design style you choose will be a reflection of your taste. There are several design styles and more than one of them might be desirable. Some popular design styles for interior design include:
- Rustic
- Contemporary
- Modern
- Classic
- Traditional
- Craftsmen
- Farmhouse
- Transitional
- Cottage
- Mediterranean-style
- Eclectic
As you can see, there are a great deal of choices when it comes to style selections. So, take some time to familiarize yourself with the style(s) you are the most favorable towards before you begin making your buying decisions. If you know which styles you like, it may help you to zero in on other facets of a design you will truly enjoy.
Selecting Your Countertop Material
One of the other big decisions that you will need to consider closely is the choice of material. Each kind of material will require a specific level of care and maintenance. In fact, different materials have different requirements. Knowing these variations prior to your design, purchase, and installation will help you select a surface that will be easy for you to care for properly within your particular circumstances. Some of the more popular material choices include:
- Granite
- Marble
- Quartzite
- Quartz
- Concrete
- Soapstone
The above list is not exhaustive, but it gives you a good starting point to begin your journey. One thing to keep in mind is that there are differences between materials that have very similar names. As an example, you could check out this Quartz and Quartzite Comparison. Even though the name sounds similar, they require very different care.
There might be other stones that could seem to be similar but require very different care or have different characteristics. Hence, it is generally a good idea to do deep research before making a decision. At the conclusion of your research on a particular stone, you should understand both its strong points as well as its drawbacks.
Choosing A Countertop Color
The design you select will have a bearing on what colors you will probably select. Even so, you may find that some types of natural stone are more abundant than others. For example, although travertine can come in various colors, the most common color of travertine are in the beige groups.
Additionally, some styles of kitchen design lend themselves to certain colors groups. So, your color choice might be best considered in light of your design style choices.
DIY or Hire A Contractor
After you have decided on a style, selected a stone, and chosen your color scheme. It is time to choose your contractor; or if you are going to do your install yourself, prepare yourself for the countertop installation. Actually, even if you are not going to handle the installation yourself, you can benefit from knowing what actually goes into installing a countertop.
If you decide to hire a contractor, be sure that the one you choose is one that meets your specific requirements. For example, you may want your selected contractor to be licensed and insured before any work is done.
If you choose to do the work yourself, be sure you fully understand the scope of the work and what the job entails.
In the end, there are a few basic, yet important things to consider before you begin working on your kitchen countertop installation. However, if you take the time to look into the project and make your decisions based on accurate information, you will be better prepared for next beautiful kitchen design.