[whisky4]

I am going to put in new counter tops and would like to know if a surface with a mild texture
Will be hard to keep clean and work on as compared to a smooth surface like laminate is will
I be satisfied with it,thank,s

[21boat]

They best way to find that out is find someone that bought a counter top like yours and maybe from the same store and ask them. I personally don't know anybody who has a textured mat counter top. Get a sample of it and try it with spills and such and test it out that way.

Signed 21 Boat

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[PeytonPlace]

In my experience working with various counter top products, especially in the kitchen where special care must be given when cleaning and disinfecting..... allowing an extra pause for those who are now recalling the worst night of their life after suffering from food poisoning- is not so much the texture but, actually, the porous nature of the material that will give you the most trouble. For example, both marble and limestone are in vogue and can offer the desired aesthetics and potentially better value than other materials. However, both of these stones are quite porous and even with special coatings, the normal regiment of chemicals used on both kitchen counter tops and floors will quickly dissolve the coating and the undesirable bacteria and otherwise unwanted "UCK" will penetrate the surface which can be both unattractive and unsafe.

If you are using a stone that is simply uneven, yet passes the hardness test, the only annoyance you may find is turning in your ever-tearing sponge for dishcloths, or the like. As kitchens are one of the primary attractions (or detractions... ) for prospective buyers; and tend to be the place where both friends and family congregate, I would select the counter top that best fits your over all scheme from a design and decorative point of view-the one you keep going back to "no matter how impractical". Because after undergoing the trials and tribulations of designing a kitchen or, even worse, surviving through the dreaded kitchen renovation project, you will most likely be living with your counter top decision for many years.

Clearly, laminates have come a long way since the avocado and burnt orange era; they still have not become the overwhelming counter top of choice; unless budget is the primary concern. Even "solid surface" countertops which were the ultimate upgrade of the 1990's have given way to new and unusual selections as kitchens are "all the rage"- this coming from someone who has lived with an internationally recognized kitchen/cabinet etc. designer for over 20 years.

There are clearly positives and negatives when considering any counter top material- stainless steel, wood, ceramic tile, porcelain tiles, solid surface, granite, laminate, brick, or any other material you can name- they all have properties that are subjectively or objectively better or worse than others. I have a few recommendations, without specific knowledge of the choices that you are narrowing down to. First, if you have separate, unique cabinets to cover, like a central Island, study cove, wet bar, or raised counter top area, (or possibly even taking into consideration the flooring and backsplashes) it is actually more popular (or at least highly recommended by designers and shown in dream kitchens) to select more than one surface material and color. (The same is true for the actual cabinets, as well.)

When looking at this option along with your other options, and after speaking with people with similar kitchen "habits" as you about their experiences with specific countertop materials (rather than just a string of comments on an internet blog where potentially the quality was subpar, or after hearing a horror story from a supplier or the tale of one person's negative experience) consider using the rough material that you referenced in areas that have great visual impact, but are less likely to be used for preparing food; thus causing you less annoyance yet allowing you to enjoy its look and feel. Then you can choose a complimentary material that still meets your desired tastes yet will not be a cause for regret every time you enter your kitchen.

I have had every combination possible (excluding laminate) in my various moves where the kitchen invariably found itself published on the pages of a magazine. I love natural materials used in odd ways- especially repurposed stone, brick, etc. as well as the ultra modern sleek look of the gourmet industrial stainless steel commercial kitchen (even though I don't fancy cooking... ). So in a recent penthouse loft, where I had various surfaces I chose a mixture of old brick with a unique glaze, slate, and as much stainless steel as you could pile into a kitchen/bar/island/study area... I knew the perils of using slate and brick, yet still chose to feature them for a wow factor. However, what ended up being my personal unforeseen nightmare was how possessed I became each time I glanced at European-styled, shiny finished doors, and wonderful commercial sheen of the pristine stainless steel... and saw all the little drips and smudges and smears that seemed to spread and reincarnate with every futile effort combined with hours of elbow grease, potions, and concoctions... So, in saying this, there is probably going to be a drawback to any surface you choose- just be prepared for the upkeep which in the end is much better than "what might have been".

If you care to share more, I will pass it on to the resident expert who has, I am sure, seen it ALL!

Blessings,

[morestone]

Granite countertop is easy to clean. And granite has wide range of color and texture to meet your personal taste.

[morestone]

Granite countertop is easy to clean. And granite has wide range of color and texture to meet your personal taste.