After floors, kitchen countertops are the hardest-working, most abused surfaces in your home. Counters are exposed to myriad punishments: scalding-hot pots, drip-drying dishes, errant knife slices and spills of all kinds. For these reasons and more, counters have to be durable, waterproof and easy to clean. Luckily, there are several products that fit the bill. Here we look at the pros and cons of the most common types of countertop materials, as well as some of the lesser-known alternatives that are worth considering for your next reno.
LAMINATES
Laminates are the most popular option for kitchen counters. They are made of several layers of kraft paper topped with a decorative sheet and a protective melamine coating, all attached to a particleboard backing.
Although derided in the past as low-grade slabs, today's laminates come in an almost limitless range of colours, patterns and textures, with a variety of edge profiles to choose from. You can even have an integral laminate backsplash installed for a seamless look.
Straight runs of prefab laminate, available at any building-supply centre, can be installed cheaply and relatively easily by the DIYer. For kitchen layouts with a little more flair-such as a U-shaped counter-you might want to have a professional come in to make a template to construct a custom counter with factory-installed seams. Prices begin around $5–$10 per square foot for the material itself.
On the downside, laminates are one of the least durable countertop materials. Intense heat can cause the surface to burn or blister, it can be scratched and any seams in the surface can separate if exposed to water. Unfortunately, laminates typically can't be repaired; once damaged, you'll have to live with it or change the entire section of countertop.
CERAMIC TILE
Tile is a durable DIY option that can be installed for considerably less money than natural stone. Like laminates, a big advantage to tile is the endless variety of colours and styles to choose from. There's even variety in the size of tile you choose, ranging from tiny mosaics to 12" or larger squares. The price range is almost as large, with sale-priced tiles going for less than a dollar a square foot at one end of the scale, while imported, hand-painted tiles can cost $20 or more. One way to keep costs down is to incorporate a few expensive feature tiles in a mosaic pattern with cheaper, mass-produced ones. The counter can also be complemented by a matching or contrasting tile backsplash.
There are some drawbacks with tile. With their delicate, uneven surface, you'll need to use cutting boards for food preparation, although if you happen to drop a cup or a plate on a tile countertop, it's your dish that's more likely to break. (One of the advantages of tile is that if you do end up with a crack, it's a fairly easy task to replace one. With that in mind, pick up a few extra tiles and store them for future patch jobs.)
The biggest downside to tile counters are the grout lines. The tiles themselves are easy to wipe down, but if not properly sealed and meticulously cleaned, the grout lines can become discoloured.
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