countertops of Paper, Recycled cans or Corian
by Caroline Marwitz
 The devil’s in the details and never more so than when you’re planning a new kitchen. With countertops alone, you have a dozen materials from which to choose. Last week, we breezed past acrylic resin to granite and other stones. This week, let’s skate across the rest of the alphabet.
> Laminate: Cheap, yes — $15 to $30 per linear foot. Cheap-looking, no. Wilsonart and Formica make good-looking laminates in hundreds of colors. Laminate is actually layers of papers saturated with melamine resin and pressure-bonded together. It’s easy to keep clean — just don’t cut it with knives or put hot pans on it.
Richlite Paper Countertops
> Linoleum: Seriously, it’s great as flooring, and it makes a durable, anti-microbial counter, too. Allergy sufferers love it because it’s easy to clean, it doesn’t off-gas harmful chemicals, and its ingredients are natural — wood flour, limestone dust, pine rosin, cork flour and linseed oil, with a jute backing. The cost can run from $5 to $9 per square foot installed. Forbo’s Marmoleum is a leading brand.
> Pressed paper: Field-tested by skateboarders, so you know it’s tough. Known as Richlite, this paper-based material was first used as a surface in skate parks. It’s almost as hard as stone — and priced about the same — but it’s made from renewable resources. Cellulose from wood pulp is treated with resin and heated to form a dense, solid layer of material. It won’t off-gas chemicals, and it requires minimal upkeep. It starts at $10 per square foot. Another brand you’ll see is Kliptech’s Paperstone product.
> Recycled aluminum composite: Post-industrial scrap aluminum is set in resin to make a counter material that’s heat-resistant and durable. Its mellow colors look beautiful, though it may man-handle your budget. Costs start about $70 a square foot. Look for such brands as Alkemi or Eleek.
> Recycled Glass: Reclaimed glass is cast in epoxy resin, or alternately, in concrete. Glass terrazzo slabs are lookers, yet tough as granite. They start at about $60 a foot. Icestone and Vetrazzo are two brands. You can also find tiles of recycled glass starting about $4 per tile.
> Solid surface: Great if you’re not that handy with knives or hot pans because scratches and burns can be sanded away. The well-known Corian brand starts at $10 to $17 per linear foot.
> Stainless steel: It’s lustrous, durable, and bacteria won’t grow on it. But it doesn’t mix well with kids, unless fingerprints don’t bother you. Copper is a warmer-looking cousin. Both are pricey — you’ll pay more than $130 per square foot to get it installed.
> Your pick: Do your research. Look beneath the surface. If your choice reflects your personality, pocketbook and priorities, you can’t go wrong.
More Articles
Concrete Countertop Photo and Information
|
