Stone Compound Countertops
Newest Kitchen Trend is Here: Will Granite Go Away?
The newest kitchen trend has hit the markets with a resounding thud and appears to be pushing granite out of the way.
If you want to update your kitchen with the latest decorating fad your bank account will appreciate your trendy taste.
Granite countertops were so popular in the last decade that they almost became a staple of new homes. I challenge anyone to go to a parade of homes and find a home without any granite. Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was true.
Granite is attractive and practical because of its durability and resistance to stains but it’s very heavy and carries a pretty weighty price tag as well. So move over granite as stone compound countertops take over.
Some of the leading stone compound companies are Zodiaq, Silestone, and Caesarstone. These countertops are made of quartz, which is a very common stone but it is small. You’ve probably found quartz when you’ve been out hiking, or even incorporated it into your landscape at some point (ah, the 70’s and my mom’s love of white quartz). But by taking these smaller rocks and pulverizing them, then mixing that with a polyester binder, heating and compressing you get a very beautiful product. One that rivals granite in looks, surpasses granite in stain resistance, doesn’t require sealing and costs less!
In fact there is even more flexibility with stone compounds as they can be tinted and can even be made to resemble granite and marble or they can be treated to present different finishes from a super high gloss to a matte look much like leather. BUT a word of advice, the honed or matte finishes tend to chip more than the polished versions and rumor has it they might not be as stain resistant.
Interior decorating and upgrading is increasing in popularity; some say its because the “housing bubble has burst” but I’m not going to get into that argument here. Let’s just say decorating and upgrading are on the rise and kitchens are overwhelmingly in the lead; my own kitchen has recently joined the fray.
A top of the line kitchen can add thousands to your home's resale value. But even just updating and keeping things tasteful and relatively modern can add to the value and increase your enjoyment of the space. They also can be more efficient and cost effective, especially if you’re tossing outdated appliances and adding energy efficient models. So when one of these trendy upgrades is less expensive than its predecessor I think it’s time to rejoice.
If you'd like a little more information on eco-friendly countertops please check this website http://kitchen-decor.suite101.com/article.cfm/hottest_new_trend_in_countertops.
