Materials Commonly Used To Make Kitchen Countertops
Countertops are an important part of modern kitchen design. They are the working space within a kitchen, a place where ingredients can be prepared and meals put together. They also often act as a social hub, which is especially true in the case of kitchen countertops that are in the ‘island’ configuration.
Most modern countertops are made of some kind of non-porous stone in order to maintain hygiene levels. Here is a very quick guide to the types of materials that are used in the creation of kitchen countertops to help you choose the right one if you happen to be shopping for a new kitchen.
Marble
Marble kitchen surfaces – like those sold by Legacy Countertops – are very hard-wearing and look dazzling. Marble is a metamorphic rock, meaning it is a rock composed of elements that have been forced together and changed. Usually created over thousands of years of extreme pressure, marble is naturally very hard and durable, making it ideal for withstanding the wear and tear of kitchen use.
What’s more, marble is one of the hardest rock types used in building and interior design and was even loved by the ancient Greek Athenians – who used it to build huge portions of their most prestigious buildings and best pieces of art.
Granite
Granit is a rock composed primarily of grains of quartz and feldspar. It is created by magma – forged in the flames of the inner Earth! Because it is a combination of other rock types arranged in small grains, granite has a distinctively deep appearance. Like marble, it is very hard, making it perfect for countertops.
Quartz
Quartz is a stunningly beautiful semi-precious rock that is incredibly hard and non-porous. Quartz countertops can last a very long time due to the sheer strength of the material it is comprised of. While quartz countertops don’t fit the interior design of every kitchen, they do suit luxurious modern designs.
Oak
Many traditional kitchen countertops are made of oak. Oak is an immensely hardy wood with a rich deep brown color. It has been used in the manufacture of furniture for literally thousands of years.
Oak countertops are nearly indestructible. They will, however, bear the scars of their use much more than stone or metal alternatives. If you accidentally cut into your oak countertop, the mark will last forever – or until you sand it down. For some people, this is part of the appeal. There is certainly an appeal to the encouragement of a palimpsest evidenced in the very makeup of the furniture you use.
Copper
Copper countertops can cultivate a unique industrial atmosphere within a home. The industrial interior design puts form ahead of function and often attempts to make the practical workings of a house into one of its main aesthetic attractions.
Copper can also have a wonderfully complex patination – which is caused by its gradual reaction to oxygen in the air. It can turn a deep green when exposed to oxygen and moisture.
As well as looking good, copper can also help tackle disease risk. Copper is a naturally antimicrobial metal, which means copper surfaces, therefore, are less likely to harbor harmful microorganisms and bacteria than surfaces made of other materials.