Want Your Remodeled Kitchen To Be A Chef-Friendly Place? What Finishes Are Best?
If you've spent far too long dealing with a less-than-functional kitchen, you may be excited to finally schedule a full kitchen remodel. But while kitchen finishes that don't stand up to heat or moisture may seem counterintuitive by design, there are a number of popular finish options that may leave your newly-remodeled kitchen no more functional than your old one--or, worse, show visible signs of wear and tear after just a few prepared meals. By selecting the most durable possible materials for your remodel, you'll ensure that you'll be able to put your new kitchen through its paces right away. Read on to learn more about the finishes that are most likely to help make your kitchen a cooking-friendly place.
Granite Counters
While quartz, soapstone, and other hard but porous stones have risen dramatically in popularity over the last few years, one mainstay--granite counters--continues to come out on top. Despite their exterior beauty, which may make them appear fragile or easily-damaged, properly-sealed granite countertops won't scorch or stain, even when hot pots and pans are placed directly on the surface.
You'll want to ensure you follow the manufacturer's care recommendations, including avoiding the use of any harsh or abrasive cleaners that can damage your granite counters; however, with proper maintenance, you should be able to enjoy new-looking counters for decades to come. Look at a manufacturer's line, such as Plastic Line Mfg Inc, for inspiration.
Tile Floors
Laminate and engineered hardwood have come a long way over the last few decades; gone are the thin sheets of linoleum or flimsy-feeling particleboard that often marked older versions of these materials.
However, when it comes to resisting the water, grease, and other liquids that can often spatter a kitchen's floors, tile is often your best option. Tile floors are fairly impervious to liquids, and can handle even relatively abrasive materials without showing any damage. In contrast, liquids left to soak on a laminate or hardwood floor can often cause warping and premature wear even after they're cleaned up.
One potential downside to tile floors is their tendency to cause dropped glassware and dishes to shatter, so you may want to place a soft rug or floor mat beneath some of your kitchen cabinets to provide a softer contact surface. If you tend to spend at least a couple of hours per day in the kitchen, putting a soft mat in front of your kitchen sink or oven can also help protect your joints from the hard, sometimes harsh flooring surface.
Share