Edmonton countertops: Laying it all out

We've come a long way from those old Formica countertops of our youth: however perhaps today there's too much choice. How do you decide what sort of counter tops will work best in your Edmonton home?

They have to look good, stand up well and last a long time — oh, and of course they have to be affordable, but not too cheap.

The Questions to Ask

• How much traffic to you expect on your new countertops? Will they have daily use?
• Will your new countertops have to stand up to heat from hot pots or hair curlers/straighteners? Should they be stain resistant?
• Do you regularly use things like contact lens solution which can be corrosive?

To help you with your decision on what sort of material works best for your lifestyle, check out this list of Edmonton's most popular materials and the associated features:

Quartz

Quickly gaining on granite as the material of choice for countertops in Edmonton, quartz is engineered in a factory rather than cut out of a quarry. It's made from stone, cement and other durable materials. Apart from being beautiful, quartz is super resistant to water, stains, scratches and heat. You don't have to seal it or do any maintenance to it to make sure it resists stains in the long run. It can look very similar to stone or granite however it can look a little ordinary if you want a more dramatic look.

Granite

This hard material is cut out of rock — it's like slicing a loaf of bread out of the side of a mountain. There are also more 20 shades of granite in a variety of styles and will instantly update any room. It can stand up to abuse, but it should be sealed. You will hear arguments against sealing granite, but it is porous and as such can absorb stains especially from wine, tomatoes, oil and hair dye if the application is for the bathroom. Consider having granite sealed every couple of years to keep it looking great for years to come.

Limestone

You don't hear about limestone very much in Edmonton. It's quite resistant to heat and is available in a number of colours and is very appealing. It's also porous and should be sealed periodically. It scratches and sometimes will absorb stains despite your best effort. You have to really like the look of limestone to order it. It could be a popular choice for a home office where counter tops serve a different purpose.

Marble

Luxurious marble has been used in spas and baths since Roman times. It can take the heat and provides a very unique design because like snowflakes, no two slabs of marble are the same. Lovely in the bathroom but not so great in the kitchen unless you like the old world look of marble that is stained and etched over the sands of time. It's also porous and should be sealed. For the bathroom, contact lens solution and perhaps certain hair products will eat away at your marble surface.

Concrete

With the acid etching and paint techniques these days, a concrete countertop can be highly polished and very durable. It would look nothing like a sidewalk and completely not boring. But it's also porous but adds a touch of cool if you are after an industrial feel in your Edmonton home.

Laminate

Yes, good old Formica is still around and is the most cost effective alternative. It's simply cut to order and glued onto plywood and gives you a durable finish as well. If water gets under it though it will bubble and certain types are not heat or stain resistant. New manufacturing techniques have produced laminate that can resemble any of the materials presented in this article, complete with texture. This is an excellent alternative to the budget-conscious Edmonton home owner.