KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS IN YOUR DEVELOPMENT, A DEFINITIVE BUYING GUIDE 02/06/20

The kitchen countertop is arguably one of the most distinguishing features of a kitchen. And, more importantly, it may even well be the first thing a potential buyer notices when viewing a unit in your finished development. It will become the basis for which the home produces, plates and entertains the food of his/her life, and the people that make up a part of that equation. Long story short: kitchen countertops are super important. And, you definitely want to get the type that fits the lifestyle of your buyers accordingly. Recent innovations in the industry relay a handful of new, interesting alternatives that are both sustainable and low-maintenance. However, you might find that your buyer demographic is best suited to something more traditional material wise.

So, with this in mind --- here's your multi-unit kitchen countertop definitive buying guide.

SURFACE MATERIALS:

GRANITE/QUARTZITE

Pros: Hard to damage; lasts for ages. Consumer Reports tells us that it can handle the bottom of a hot pan, the score of a knife, and even the spill of red wine.

Cons: Pricey. Similarly, granite does need to be resealed at least once a year. Furthermore, edges and corners can chip easily.

MARBLE

Pros: A classic kitchen countertop appeal. Looks beautiful in more traditional kitchen settings. Has a timeless sense and an unmistakable warmth to it.

Cons: Marble is EXTREMELY porous. Consequently, a messy chef, or a busy kitchen should steer away from this surface material. For, marble surfaces are expensive and easily stained, chipped, and/or scratched.

ENGINEERED STONE

Engineered stone, also known as "quartz", is often a blend of quartz stone-chips, resins, and pigments.

Pros: Engineered stone is arguably the most universally loved counter top surface of the moment. It takes heavy use and abuse extremely well. With that said, engineered stone surfaces require very little upkeep and never have to be sealed. Similarly, it is waterproof. And, because it is an engineered surface --- one can choose from an abundance of colors and patterns.

Cons: Like the above mentioned materials, quartz can also chip and crack at the edge and corners of its application. Also, Consumer Reports mentions that some find the patterns of certain model slabs to be "unnaturally uniform".

LAMINATE

Pros: Laminates are inexpensive and mimic the look of their more pricey counterparts (granite for example). Furthermore, laminate is also relatively easy to upkeep: stain resistant, impact and heat resistant. Laminate is easy to clean.

Cons: Laminates are NOT waterproof. Thus, water can seep down to the paper-like core of the surface and weaken the overall material. Additionally, while laminates are stain resistant, they can easily be scratched and nicked. Laminates cannot be repaired.

SOLID-SURFACE

Polyester or acrylic resins combined with mineral fillers. Solid surfacing imitates natural stone countertops, as well as concrete, glass, and even engineered quartz.

Pros: Less expensive than natural stone and more durable than laminate. Non-porous, and hygienic.

Cons: Scratched and scores easily.

CONCRETE

Pros: Trendy, and looks interesting. Concrete surfaces can be dyed/pigmented. Highly customizable option.

Cons: Concrete can chip, crack, and develop hairline fractures easily. Consumer Reports mentions that topical sealers can protect against stains. Similarly, penetrating sealers can be applied to the surface in order to help with wear coming from heat in the kitchen.

STAINLESS STEEL

Pros: Non-porous, and effectively lends itself to the "commercial kitchen" look. Stainless steel surfaces can be buffed out so that it looks as though it is seamless. Stainless steel is most notable resistant to heat and stains.

Cons: Stainless steel dents and scratches easily.

BUTCHER BLOCK/WOOD

Pros: Warm in appearance, and ideal for someone who enjoys food preparation.

Cons: Extremely porous, and requires a decent amount of upkeep. However, butcher blocks can be easily repaired.

TILE

Pros: Tile is relatively inexpensive and easy to repair. It also maintains heat nicely. Thus, tile is often seen around a stove. Consumer Reports mentions that buying extra tiles at the time of original purchase/installation guarantees for ease-in-repair of localized cracks down the road.

Cons: The grout that holds the tile in place is likely to stain. However, darker grout options can lend themselves to preventing exceptional staining. Furthermore, tile can chip and crack in some places.

ULTRA COMPACT (DEKTON)

Dekton, an ultra-compact material, brought to market by Cosentino, is one of the newer countertop surfaces. Dekton is comprised of quartz, porcelain and glass.

Pros: Non-porous and easy to maintain. Relatively durable in regards to heat + scoring from something like a knife.

Cons: Less than satisfactory results when hit with heavy impact: Consumer Reports found that it could go as far as crack down the middle if a pan were to fall from a high enough up cabinet.

For more information on countertops, or to inquire about your own project visit Divine Design Center online at divinedesigncenter.com or inside our showroom at 2 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA 02109. Call us at (617) 443-0700.

~Madison Silvers

Contributor Bio

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Mariette Barsoum and her company Divine Design Center have offered developers luxury, European cabinetry at cost-effective rates since 2004.

Subsequently, Divine Design Center, a woman, minority owned business, has provided Boston’s multiplying developments with premium quality kitchens, wardrobes and bathrooms suitable to expanding buyer’s demands that permeate the metropolitan area.

Apart from their 8,000 square foot modern + transitional European showroom which showcases the before mentioned, Divine is heralded for their:

•         Top quality product with global name recognition

•         Value engineering

•         Developer-only pricing through exclusive partnerships

     with our European manufacturing partners

•         Detailed plans

•         Local, competent support

•         Timeliness

•         Strict adherence to budget

•         Reliable deliveries

•         High end design services at no additional cost with

     Boston’s top design team

•         3D photo realistic rendering to pre-sell units

•         Financing to qualified developers

 

Increase the value of your units under development via Divine’s modern, European manufacturers. Garner the pre-sale of your project’s units well before completion with cabinetry that exudes seamless design and beautiful finishes. Our quality, cost-effective cabinets + Boston’s top design team emanate the best solution for your development’s needs.

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