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Kitchen Countertops
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Looking
for the perfect kitchen countertop? MyHome
offers literally thousands of options to
choose from as well as educated Remodeling
Consultants who are able to match your aesthetic
tastes with your cooking needs.
Are you an active chef who requires the
robust durability of engineered stone? Or
do you simply have to have the elegant look
of marble? Whether you like the appearance
of ceramic or want a fully customized concrete
countertop for your modern kitchen, MyHome
offers full service benefits from design
and product selection to the final installation,
making the entire process easy for you.
Three
Steps to Perfect Countertops
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Research:
This process can be as tedious as it
is creative so this is where a professional
Remodeling Consultant can help narrow
down your options. |
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Select:
The materials you choose should bridge
the gap between what you want and who
you are. In other words, don’t choose
delicate materials if you aren’t prepared
to maintain them. |
| 3. |
Install:
Poor installation can make any material
look shabby so make sure you find a
contractor who is able to implement
your design plan. |
Choose Carefully
Kitchen counters should not only accommodate
your cooking needs but also add beauty and
elegance to the most trafficked room in the
house. This is why the type of countertop
you choose for your kitchen is a crucial decision
both for overall design and functionality.
You not only need to find a material and color
that fits into your kitchen’s overall look—whether
its country charm or Soho chic—but you also
need to consider your family’s needs. Some
materials, for example are easier to clean
than others and a few need costly and regular
maintenance. To find the right product—whether
it’s a Brazilian granite countertop or a custom
concrete countertop—stop by one of MyHome’s
two local showrooms in Midtown Manhattan,
or Paramus, NJ to peruse our samples and to
talk to a MyHome design consultant. |
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Natural
Stone Countertops |
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Granite
Nothing says elegance and sophistication
like a granite countertop. Granite countertops,
aside from boasting a stunning array of
colors from thousands of quarries in the
mountains of Brazil, Italy, the United States,
Argentina, Sardinia, India and dozens of
other countries, holds up to heat remarkably
well while offering a look of solidity and
durability. But since granite can be quite
expensive—the most prized granite slabs
are imported from quarries across the globe—you
shouldn’t make the decision to install such
a countertop lightly. Granite countertops
require a lot of maintenance such as periodic
sealing since it can easily absorb stains
and/or even crack is stressed. But if you’re
committed to performing needed maintenance
about once a year, pairing a granite countertop
with a complementary or contrasting granite
flooring can give your home a look of unparalleled
luxury.
Granite comes in a striking array of colors
and patterns. Each quarry in each country
offers a distinct stone—each slab is entirely
unique!—so it’s worth your while to spend
some time searching through samples at one
of our showrooms. Whatever your desire—whether
it’s a classic Italian Blue Pearl, the Brazillian
Café Bahia, or Argentina’s Gris Córdoba—MyHome’s
vast supply network can provide the perfect
granite slab for your kitchen countertop
or table top.
Take a look at the granite samples listed
below, but keep in mind that since granite
is a natural substance each slab mined from
a specific region and quarry will vary in
color and veining. To see more samples of
the literally thousands of colors and patterns
available, please visit our showroom to meet
with one of our specially trained Remodeling
Consultants. |
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Soapstone and Slate
While softer than granite, both soapstone
and slate are actually much less porous. Both
stones can crack and scratch around the edges,
but can easily be sanded out. (Some people
think the nicks and marks add personality
to their custom countertops, though.) Periodically
adding mineral oil to the counter’s surface
will ensure a warm glow for years to come. |
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Limestone
Limestone is another natural stone countertop
that can add character and warmth to your
New Jersey, New York or Connecticut home.
Since limestone stains easily, though, it
may be the most practical choice for busy
families. As with soapstone and slate, some
homeowners choose to leave the stains and
nicks as a sign of character on limestone’s
matte finish. |
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Marble
For a warm, classic look many luxury homeowners
are choosing marble tops to wooden counters.
But since, like limestone, marble is more
fragile than granite it can easily end up
scratched and stained through normal, every
day use. If you do install marble countertops
be prepared to take constant extra care of
them—by always protecting the surface from
hot pans, wiping up spills immediately, and
watching our for scratches. You’ll also want
to make sure to apply a sealer and to periodically
reseal the surface. Still, marble can make
a sophisticated statement for the dedicated
homeowner. Alternatively, some bakers and
pastry chefs install a small section of marble
on their granite, soapstone or slate counters
or on top of a kitchen island to use for rolling
out dough. |
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Engineered
Stone Countertops
Engineered stone countertops can be a much
more functional choice than natural stones
as they’re largely heat, scratch, stain and
acid resistant and come in a larger variety
of colors than granite. Basically a quartz-composite
product that’s made with colored pebbles,
polymers, and epoxy, engineered stone countertops
are one of the most durable options out there.
And since they don’t need the annual sealing
natural stone countertops do, they’re much
easier to take care of—an important factor
for today’s busy families. |
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Caesarstone
Caesarstone is the leader in the engineered
stone marketplace. In fact, their revolutionary
use of 93% quartz particles created an entire
product genre in the counter top industry.
Today they offer two different products: CaesarStone®,
their original quartz stone countertop surfacing
material and Concetto®, their stone surface
made from individually cut semi-precious stone.
CaesarsStone comes in 40 different colors
from the muted neutral tones of Eggshell,
Baja and Cinder to the dramatic Ruby, Emerald
or Pacific Reflections. Take a look at their
eight newest colors--Espresso, Mulberry Mist,
Pebble, Raven, Sandalwood, Amazon Green, Bedrock,
and Nougat—but be sure to visit our showroom
for a more complete picture of the options
available to you. |
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Silestone
Silestone, another engineered stone product
that uses quartz, is scratch, scorch, and
stain resistant, making it a fabulous choice
for any home. Maintenance is a breeze and
the color choices staggering. Choose from
the following hues: blues; pinks and reds;
browns; whites and light grays; creams and
beiges; yellows and oranges; dark grays and
blacks; and greens. Take a look at the following
samples from their collection. |
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Technistone
Technistone also uses quartz particles in
this sturdy solid surface countertop. Its
resistance to normal wear and tear made it
a durable yet beautiful choice for homeowners
in the NY, NJ and CT area. Maintenance is
easy—mild soap and water, with a quick swipe
of a dry cloth is all that’s needed to keep
your countertops beautiful. And since Technistone
produces kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops
and flooring, coordinating their products
into your home design can be a breeze. |
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Dupont
Zodiac
Like the other engineered stone countertops,
Zodiac’s smooth nonporous surface resists
tough stains and retains luster (without maintenance)
for many years—without the irregularities
of natural stone. |
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Solid
Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops are entirely man-made
products composed of polyester-resin or recycled
materials. Since they’re solid scratches,
burns and stains can be sanded out. These
diverse surfaces can also be cut or molded
into any shape needed, making them a great
choice for uniquely shaped counters or kitchen
islands. Solid surface products are the only
material that boasts molded sinks seamed directly
to the countertop with no gaps. You can even
choose to have a built-in covered backsplash
fused to the countertop to create a watertight
surface. These products are durable, easy
to clean, generally offer a ten year warranty
and come in such a wide variety of colors
and textures that they’ll complement any design
aesthetic for properties as diverse as a sleek
Chelsea loft to a sprawling Bergen County
suburban home. |
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Dupont
Corian
The best-known solid surface countertop brand
is Dupont’s Corian, which comes in a staggering
130 colors. |
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Avonite
Avonite’s Recycled, Traditions, Crystelles,
Glass Series, Metallics, and Foundation product
lines offer solid surface countertops in a
variety of colors and textures made to look
like stone, glass, metal or even concrete. |
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Wood
/ Butcher Block Countertops |
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Wood or butcher-block
countertops add a warm look to modern kitchens
and oftentimes balance out the now popular
stainless steel appliances. Wood countertops
are easy to clean and can be sanded and resealed
as often as needed. You can choose from a
variety of wood colors and finishes, but woods
like maple, cherry, walnut and oak are popular
choices. The downside of wood countertops
is that the surface can be damaged by water,
stains, or knife cuts; these scratches and
marks are easily sanded out, but it does mean
more maintenance than say a solid surface
countertop. That said, nothing says classic
elegance more than wood and a butcher-block
countertop adds a degree of sophistication
unparalleled in other countertop materials
save natural stone like granite or marble. |
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Stainless Steel Countertops
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Homeowners who crave
a sleek modern look will adore stainless steel
countertops. Stainless steel is heat resistant
and easy to clean--and therefore relatively
durable. They do dent easily, though so you
can’t cut vegetables or bread on its surface,
unlike a butcher-block surface. Stainless
steel countertops can also be quite expensive,
as they need to be custom fitted but many
come with integrally welded stainless steel
sinks for a clean urban line. |
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Concrete Countertops
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If your kitchen boats
unusual architectural shapes, consider concrete
as these countertops are cast right in your
kitchen and can be fitted to your most whimsical
design visions. Keep in mind, though that
because they’re entirely customized, concrete
countertops can be very expensive. They’re
heat and scratch resistant and newer treatments
eliminate cracking and reduce porosity. Concrete
countertops come in a variety of different
colors and finishes but they all have an industrial
urban feel that would complement even the
most Zen-inspired Dumbo or Soho loft. |
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Glass Countertops
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Glass countertops offer
a look of complete high-end luxury. The stunning
appearance of clear, frosted or colored glass
can be coordinated with concrete, wood, metal
or stone for a sophisticated feel for your
Bergen, NJ or Westchester, NY home. And since
tempered glass is nonporous it doesn’t stain,
making it a practical albeit expensive choice. |
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Eco-Friendly
/ Green Countertops |
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IceStone
IceStone is a durable surface made from recycled
glass and concrete. There are over 27 colors
available, which means there’s a hue for every
design. And because they’re VOC-free, the
high recycled content makes Ice Stone ideal
for projects seeking LEED certification. |
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Richlite
These paper-based fiber composites are made
from environmentally sustainable resources
harvested from certified managed forests in
North America. The durable surfaces offer
a warm, inviting look for homeowners who seek
eco-friendly products for their home. |
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Laminate Countertops |
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Anybody who lived through
the 70s Formica craze is familiar with laminate
counters. These inexpensive plastic-coated
synthetic countertops offer a smooth surface
that's a breeze to clean and, since the pieces
are cut to size and finished on the ends,
they fit just about any kitchen configuration.
That said, laminates do have some definite
drawbacks: scratches and chips are impossible
to repair, seams are clearly visible, and
front edges can be quite expensive. But since
laminates are inexpensive and come in a dizzying
array of colors, they are a good option for
those renovating within a budget. |
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Copper Countertops |
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When polished, copper
countertops boast that familiar orange-gold
color, but soon oxidize to create an appealing
monochromatic patina. That beauty, however
comes at a price: since copper is so malleable,
just about anything—from a bag of potatoes
to a dropped dish—can create a dent in the
surface. So if you choose copper, be prepared
for anything but a smooth surface. Some choose
to embrace that denting and view it as a sign
of character for their unique kitchen countertops,
but others want a cleaner more uniform surface.
Again this why its so crucial to think about
what you really want. |
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Ceramic Tile Countertops |
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Because ceramic tile
is so varied—from sleek porcelain to hand
painted terra cotta—it can fit seamlessly
into just about every kitchen aesthetic. Combine
different textured and colored tiles in unique
patterns to create a highly personalized and
customized design on counter tops and back
splashes alike. Choose from inexpensive factory
produced tiles or imported hand-made tiles
for a variety of looks to meet the needs of
any budget. Ceramic tiles themselves are heat
resistant but do create uneven surfaces and
can chip or crack easily—so you may have to
replace individual tiles from time to time.
Also consider that grout lines can easily
stain, requiring an awful lot of maintenance
and/or re-application. |
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design, remodeling and renovation section |
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