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[ Best Materials ]
Counter Culture Denver’s top kitchen-design experts on finding countertops to match your look and lifestyle.
—Christine DeLuca A William Ohs–designed kitchen in Cheesman Park features marble, honed granite, and wood countertops.
Engineered Quartz
wood
Stainless Steel
Glass
Quartzite
Pros Twice as strong as granite, this synthetic naturalstone look-alike resists stains, scratches, and heat with no sealing required. Look for brand names Caesarstone, Cambria, and Silestone.
Pros Durable and hygienic (when sealed properly), wood lends a warm look.
Pros Heat, stains, and bacteria are no match for this ultradurable material.
Cons “Here in the Rockies, solid wood tops tend to warp or even separate,” Landeros warns. “Butcher blocks require constant high humidity and must be oiled or treated with a moisturizing cream.” Nicks and scratches are inevitable, and you’ll need a trivet for hot pans.
Cons “Clients are occasionally put off by the scratching that occurs, though after a few months, the scratches even out to a nice patina,” says Mike Smith, technical designer for Studio Como.
Pros It’s almost as hygienic and stain-resistant as stainless steel but has many more design and color options. With some basic care, it’ll look like new for years.
Pros The beauty of marble without the worry: Harder than granite, quartzite shrugs off moisture, heat, scratches, and stains.
Style Match A top choice for contemporary kitchens, its clean look pairs especially well with modern European cabinetry. Installed Price Per Square Foot (PPSF) $85 to $150 Tip “The impermeability of the material makes it a good choice for any wet area,” says William Landeros, showroom director and designer for Bulthaup by Kitchen Distributors.
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| 5280 home | SPRING 2016
Style Match “Any area where you want to get away from a more sterile, clean look,” Landeros says—think seating areas, buffets, benches, and desks. Installed PPSF $85 to $130 Tip Look for a warranty that covers warping and splitting. “I’ve found Spekva material to be very stable,” Landeros says.
Style Match Its modern-industrial look is a natural complement to streamlined cabinets, but it also looks cool with rustic reclaimed wood. Installed PPSF $85 to $150 Tip Rather than waiting for scratches to appear, take a cue from some of Smith’s clients and scrub your new countertop with steel wool on day one.
Style Match Ideal for modern kitchens. Pair with glossy lacquered cabinetry for a superstreamlined look. Installed PPSF $65 to $300 Tip “It’s worth getting a sample of any glass you’re considering and using it as a trivet to see how it withstands heat—as not all glass is created equal,” Smith says.
Cons “It’s the most unique choice, but also the most expensive,” says Mikal Otten, owner of Exquisite Kitchen Design (EKD). Its density makes decorative edges a challenge. Style Match The white to gray stone (also comes in tan, taupe, and green) lends an elegant look to transitional kitchens. Installed PPSF $175 to $275 Tip If you have high ceilings, a thick slab will look better proportionally, says Otten. Find a good stone fabricator who can do a mitered edge treatment to give your slab the illusion of thickness.
ON THE WEB Find three more materials on 5280.com.
from top: emily minton redfield; shutterstock (5)
Cons It can chip. Corners are especially vulnerable, so opt for rounded or chamfered edges.
Cons This pricey choice shows fingerprints, and cracks and scratches are a possibility.
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