Essential Tips for Buying Countertops in Franklin, MA

OUTLINE:

If you want to learn more, please visit our website ROMA.

1. Tips for Buying Countertops
2. Why Countertops Matter
3. Tips for Buying Countertops in Franklin, MA
4. Choose New View Marble & Granite for Your Countertop Needs

In today’s market, choosing the perfect countertops can be a daunting task and with many options available, it’s essential to have some valuable tips for buying countertops to help you make an informed decision. If you are located in Franklin, MA, and looking for expert advice on buying countertops, you’re in the right place. This article will provide you with essential tips to consider when purchasing countertops, ensuring you make the best choice for your needs.

Tips for Procuring Countertops

When it comes to making kitchen countertops purchases, there are several key factors to keep in mind. Follow these tips to ensure you make an informed decision:

1. Set Your Budget

Before you start your search for countertops, it’s critical to determine a budget. Knowing how much you can spend will help you focus on your options and avoid overshooting your financial capacity. Factor in the overall costs, including installation, to set a practical budget.

2. Assess Durability and Upkeep

Countertops are available in various materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some materials require more maintenance and can be susceptible to staining, while others offer high durability and scratch resistance. Think about your lifestyle and how much maintenance you are willing to undertake.

3. Analyze Style and Aesthetics

The look of your countertops is essential for achieving the desired ambiance in your space. Reflect on the overall design of your kitchen or bathroom and select countertops that enhance this style. Whether you prefer a classic, contemporary, or transitional design, there are numerous options available that can match your taste.

Importance of Countertops

Countertops serve as the primary focal point in kitchens or bathrooms, contributing both functionality and visual appeal. They have the potential to completely alter the look and feel of the space. Therefore, it’s crucial to invest in high-quality countertops that not only match your style but also endure the test of time.

Specific Considerations for Buying Countertops in Franklin, MA

Here are some specific tips for buying countertops to keep in mind when buying countertops in the Franklin, MA area:

• Research local suppliers and check their reputation and customer reviews.
• Visit showrooms to see countertop samples in person and speak with knowledgeable staff.
• Ask for samples to take home and see how they match your existing interior.
• Consider the durability of the materials, especially in areas with high traffic or heavy usage.
• Take accurate measurements of your space to ensure a proper fit.

Choosing the right countertop supplier is as important as selecting the material itself. Look for a reputable supplier in Franklin, MA, who offers a wide variety of options and has a track record of delivering high-quality products and excellent service. Read customer reviews and ask for references, if possible. A reliable supplier will have knowledgeable staff who can guide you through the buying process and provide professional installation services.

Before making a final decision, it is essential to understand the long-term maintenance requirements of your chosen countertop material. Some materials are relatively low-maintenance and easy to clean. Others, such as natural stone countertops, may require periodic sealing and more careful handling. Consider your willingness to maintain your countertops properly and choose a material that aligns with your lifestyle.

Choose New View Marble & Granite for Your Countertop Needs

When it comes to expert tips for buying countertops in Franklin, MA, New View Marble & Granite is the best solution. With their extensive range of high-quality materials and exceptional customer service, they have built a reputation as a trusted provider of countertops in the area. Whether you’re looking for granite, quartz, or marble, their team of experts will guide you through the selection process and ensure a seamless installation. Don’t compromise on quality and style; choose New View Marble & Granite for the countertop of your dream.

Contact newviewgranite.com today to get started!

Key Factors to Consider: Cost, Maintenance, and Visual Appeal

When a sample of a kitchen countertop made from 60 percent paper recently crossed my desk, I realized tops could be, and are, made out of anything and everything. Wood, plastic, granite, metal, concrete, tile, acrylic—they’re all used. Seventy-five years ago, stone and wood were the primary countertop choices; 25 years ago, laminate was clearly king of the hill. But today’s kitchens and inexpensive countertops are used for more than just cooking. The kitchen is a living room, study, dining room, entertainment area, craft center and showplace all rolled into one. The many functions of this room today call for a countertop surface that suits our lifestyles and activities.

When people need a top that’s durable, simple to install, easy to maintain and affordable, most still head for the laminate display. But there’s a bewildering range of other choices out there today. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. They’re all pretty durable; no real stinkers in the bunch. They all require some maintenance or care. A wine glass dropped from two feet will shatter on any of them. So selecting inexpensive countertops really boils down to how you answer these three questions:

• How much can you spend?
• How much maintenance are you willing to do?
• What material do you most like to touch, see, show off and work on?

Check out 10 kitchen trends we’ve been seeing

Pricing Considerations: Affordable to High-End Countertops

Costs for countertops can vary widely, from $2 to $250 per sq. ft. Interestingly, there are few choices that fall between the affordable $10 per sq. ft. laminates and the premium $80 stone and solid-surface tops. Mid-priced options such as wood and tile counters are available, but these often draw mixed reviews. The scarcity of mid-range options might actually simplify your decision-making; if you're on a tight budget, laminates present numerous design possibilities. Kitchen experts generally advise:

If you intend to stay long-term in your house, invest in more durable and premium countertops, as the “cost per year” decreases over time.

Countertops and their installation typically account for ten to 15 percent of a kitchen remodel budget. Choosing a top outside this range might affect how well it fits into your overall design.

Allocate funds based on your priorities. If high-tech appliances or custom cabinetry are your passion, consider investing more there.

Maintenance and Usage Considerations

Most affordable countertops require minimal maintenance—neglecting these, however, can lead to permanent or difficult-to-reverse damage. There’s preventive maintenance, like cleaning up spills immediately, using hot pads, and using cutting boards. Then there’s long-term maintenance, which might involve applying sealers or finishes. Assess how careful you and your family are and consider what condition you expect your countertops to be in five years. For some, sticking with laminate until children are older might be the wisest choice.

Visual and Tactile Factors

If budget and maintenance considerations don’t tip the scales, the appearance and texture of the countertop will. You and your countertop should be compatible. Take into account texture, aesthetics, glossiness, “warmth”, how natural the material looks and feels, and how it fits into your kitchen’s design.

One benefit of today’s trend toward multiple countertop surfaces is that you can install both if you’re undecided between two options!

Wear and Maintenance Comparison

A comparative chart of laminate, granite, solid surface, wood, and tile countertops is provided in the Additional Information section below.

Family Handyman

Advantages and Disadvantages of Plastic Laminates

While plastic-laminate countertops might not make headlines, they still hold about 75 percent of market share. They are affordable, durable, available in numerous colors, and are suitable for DIY installations.

Multiple layers of resin-soaked kraft paper, topped with a patterned melamine sheet under heat and pressure, form the 1/16-in. laminate sheets that make up these countertops, which can be crafted in two ways.

They can be post-formed at manufacturing plants to create tops with rounded “unibody” backsplashes and nosing. These post-formed tops are available in limited colors at home centers or can be special ordered. These are the least expensive, easiest to clean, and quickest to install.

Alternatively, laminate sheets can be customized into various styles, mounted on particle board, and edged with laminate, wood, or solid-surface strips.

Laminates resist grease and stains and can be cleaned with soap and water, enduring significant wear and tear. Additionally, changing your color scheme doesn’t have to break the bank.

On the downside, laminates can be damaged by hot pans and sharp knives, abrasive cleaners can dull the finish, and if water penetrates seams, the substrate can swell, causing the laminate to bulge. Surface damage is difficult to repair, but many issues can be avoided with proper installation and usage.

Important Considerations Before Purchase

• Darker solid colors and glossy finishes exhibit scratches and cut marks more readily than patterned or matte surfaces.
• Tops where the laminate overlaps the edging, as opposed to butting against it, are harder to damage.
• Advanced printing technology has enhanced clarity and depth, with many wood grains and stone patterns appearing remarkably crisp and realistic.

Click here to learn more about selecting laminate countertops.

Family Handyman

Opinions on Laminate Countertops

“Laminate fit our budget perfectly. We opted for top-notch appliances over an expensive countertop.” —homeowner

“Laminate countertops are reliable, but high-end kitchen magazines often feature stone. However, with the resurgence of 1950s style, laminate may become trendy again.” —kitchen designer

Family Handyman

Enhancing Basic Laminate Countertops

Three products available on the market can enhance the versatility of laminate. Most are installed by your fabricator during countertop creation.

Counter-Seal is a relatively new product that allows you to undermount a sink in a laminate countertop. Using templates and specialized tools, certified fabricators cut the sink opening and line it with a solid-surface material ring. This tight-fitting ring and specialized adhesives protect the particleboard core from water and moisture. Prices start around $250. The company also offers a product for DIY enthusiasts who want to undermount a sink in a tile top.

Gem Loc integrates solid-surface edging into a laminate countertop during fabrication, available in various colors and styles.

Kuehn Bevel Edge is a specially milled laminate edging that eliminates the dark edge lines often found on laminates. Kuehn also produces other types of edgings.

Family Handyman

Pros and Cons of Solid Surface Countertops

DuPont introduced the first solid-surface countertop, Corian, 35 years ago and the category continues to thrive. Today, there are numerous manufacturers offering solid-surface countertop materials in hundreds of colors and designs.

The majority of solid-surface countertops are handled by trained professionals certified to fabricate and install specific products.

Typically 1/2 inches thick, solid-surface countertops are made of acrylic, polyester (or blends of the two) combined with fillers. Edges are built up with two or three layers of material for a thicker look. Wilsonart’s Solid Surface Veneer (SSV) is an exception, consisting of a 1/8-in. layer of solid-surface material bonded to a particle-board core. Initially, there were issues with the product, but these were addressed by bonding a moisture-resistant layer to the particle-board core.

Solid-surface countertops are often considered nearly perfect. Being non-porous, they’re ideal for food preparation, resistant to staining, and can be formed into almost any shape and size. Because they are homogenous materials, light scratches can be buffed out, deep scratches and burns can be sanded away, and severely damaged sections can be removed and replaced almost invisibly. Sinks can be undermounted and backsplashes can be integrated seamlessly.

Proper installation can prevent most issues associated with solid-surface countertops. Nonetheless, they are relatively expensive, are subject to scratching, especially solid colors or high-gloss finishes. Some users may find the homogenous look and cold feel unappealing.

Important Considerations Before Purchase

• Effective installation is critical for a trouble-free solid-surface countertop. Seams should be offset 1.5 to 3 inches from inside corners, inside corners should be radiused, and joints should be reinforced.
• Be aware of seam locations and avoid using crock pots, griddles, or hot plates in those areas. Thermal cycling can cause cracks during the cool-down process.
• Consider having your countertop professionally resanded and repolished every five to seven years for a revived, like-new appearance.

Opinions on Solid Surface Countertops

“Many people prefer solid-surface countertops for their predictability; they will look the same five years from now as they do today.” —manufacturer

“Solid-surface countertops were initially marketed as indestructible and having invisible seams; now they are appreciated for being renewable with inconspicuous seams.” —installer

For more information, please visit Classic Countertops Manufacturer.

Family Handyman

Pros and Cons of Granite Countertops

Though granite has been around for millions of years, it’s considered a relatively new choice for kitchen countertops. Ten years ago, it was classified as an “exotic” or “luxurious” material. Today, granite has become more accessible and affordable due to advancements in shipping and cutting technology. According to the 2001 National Kitchen and Bath Designs Trend Survey, 37 percent of countertops installed by its members were granite.

Granite naturally resists most stains and becomes even more durable when sealed. Edges can be crafted into various styles such as bevel, radius, half-radius, ogee, and square. Because it’s a natural material, granite comes in a vast range of colors, patterns, and textures, ensuring that each countertop is unique. Sinks can be undermounted in approximately 95 percent of cases by certain fabricators, and granite can handle hot pans.

However, granite can be stained by hot grease if neglected, it is hard and cold, and can be scratched under extreme abuse. Cutting on it is more likely to dull your knives than damage the countertop, although repeated cutting in a single spot can affect the sheen. Seams are more visible in granites with strong patterns or grains, and special tools are needed for working with granite, making onsite repairs difficult.

Granite countertops offer tremendous benefits but are not the right choice for everyone. For alternatives, check out these 13 other options.

Important Considerations Before Purchase

• Most granite slabs come in 9-x 5-ft. sections. Fabricators often add a “waste charge” for any portion of the slab not used. Keep this in mind to avoid unnecessary costs.— opt for a 9-ft.-long island instead of a 10-ft. one, for instance.
• Whenever possible, visit the granite &#