Whether you're renovating a tired kitchen or creating the home of your dreams, there is no better feeling than knowing you made great decisions, selected the best products for your budget, and avoided costly delays. Learn how we can guide you on the way:Dream Materials for a Range of Budgets
The Kitchen Showcase carries countertops from the leading brands. Our worktop surfaces come in the full range of materials, so you can choose the perfect material for your personal style and functional needs. The only limits are your imagination and budget!
Take a moment to learn about the differences between:
- Natural stone countertops
- Quartz countertops
- Solid surface countertops
- Wood countertops
- Metal countertops
- Glass countertops
- Laminate countertops
Natural Stone Countertops
Natural stone countertops look beautiful and create a a one-of-a-kind showpiece for your room. But just as important, a natural stone countertop can be a great way to improve the resale value of your home.
Here are some of the key differences between the natural stone options.
| Material | Key Features | Maintenance / Use |
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| Granite View some of our current selections |
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| Marble |
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| Soapstone |
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| Slate |
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| Travertine |
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Surface Finishes (Information for finishes from Percoco Marble)
We offer the following surface finishes for stone in addition to the factory finish: polished, honed, leathered, and carresed. Please refer to the definitions below for more information on each finish. Note that some finishes are only available as factory finishes.
It should be noted for countertop use that only the polished, honed, caressed and leaterhed finishes are recommended.
Factory:
The finish put on the slab at the processing facility (factory) before being exported. Generally polished for most marbles and granites, and honed for most shist and limestones. Slates mostly come as cleft face. Additionally some materials are available in multiple finishes (ie a stone may be mostly exported polished, but a smaller quantity is exported honed).
Polished:
This is the standard factory finish for most granites and marbles. A polished surface is highly reflective and the least porous of the finishes available. Polished marbles can be etched with many household acids and cleaners. On-site surface refinishing is NOT recommended and can be spotty at best.
Leathered:
Leather Finish on Ubatuba GraniteThis finish adds texture to the surface. Additionally, it closes the pores (compared to honing) and retains the color better than honing. While a leathered finish has a sheen to it, it is no where near as reflective as a polished surface. A good analogy would be that a leathered finish is like a matte finish on a photograph whereas a polished surface is like a glossy photograph. Please note that the amount of texture will vary from stone to stone and some stones will not leather (especially extremely uniform materials). Leathering is preferred to honing for blacks and other very dark materials. For example the amount of texture on Absolute Black is minimal and very fine grained, and the finish is much more uniform than honing Absolute Black. Leathering starts with a honed surface and adds texture, and is a completely different process than river washed (see below).
Caressed:
This finish adds gloss to the leathered finish above. Starting with a leathered finish and then “polishing” the high spots. This of couse closes the pores more than the leathered finish, but not as much as a polished finish.
Honed:
This is the standard factory finish for schists and most limestones (most of which will NOT take a polish). Honing a polished material opens up the pore making it more susceptible to staining than the same material in a polished finish. At home re-finishing is possible, and the end result will vary from stone to stone (see re-finishing in our care and cleaning section). Honing will “grey out” or fade the color of the stone, this is more noticeable on darker materials than on lighter materials. A color enhancing sealer is available and may be used to restore the color (if desired). Also note that very dark materials (especially blacks) tend to end up with an un-even finish and a honed finish is not recommended.
Quartz Countertops
So you love a natural look, but you crave as little maintenance as possible… Consider Quartz! Quartz countertops can be strikingly beautiful, and they’re much lower maintenance than natural stone products. They also tend to be stain and scratch resistant.
Some quartz countertops contain a small percentage of resin, making them susceptible to surface stains from hot pans.
| Brand | Key Features | Maintenance / Use |
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| DuPont Zodiac |
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| Silestone by Cosentino |
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| Cambria |
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| Caesarstone |
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| Ice-stone / Vetrazzo |
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| Radianz by Samsung |
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| Hanstone |
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Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops are known for their stain resistance, durability and resistance to many household chemicals and solvents. They are nonporous and have strong color consistency.
| Brand | Key Features | Maintenance / Use |
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| Corian |
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| Surrell (by Formica) |
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| Gilbralter (by WilsonArt) |
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| Avonite | Info Coming Soon… |
Wood Countertops
When you choose a wood countertop, you can be sure that you’re getting a one-of-a-kind piece. No two wood countertops are ever the same due to the variations in the wood grain and color.
Wood countertops tend to add an element of warmth to a room. They’re also considered to be a renewable resource.
For a kitchen countertop, oil finishes are recommended because they’re food safe. Lacquer finishes may be available for rooms that don’t require a food safe surface. While an oil or lacquer finish will repel water, liquids left on a wood countertop for extended periods of time can damage it.
| Brand | Key Features | Maintenance / Use |
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| Spekva |
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| Qwinique |
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Metal Countertops
When it comes to designing a kitchen or bath, many people assume that a metal countertop will jump out as a focal point. In many cases, though, metal countertops actually add a very subtle and understated element to a room. They tend to blend into the environment, adding dimension and depth.
Consider a kitchen with a metal backsplash… Because a metal backsplash reflects light, it can open up a space and make it look deeper. (This is a useful tip if you’re trying to make a smaller kitchen look larger!)
From a design perspective, metal can be a wonderful complement to natural stone. You may want to explore a granite countertop with a stainless steel backsplash. Metal seamlessly integrates with other materials, and it’s highly customizable. You’ll find metal in contemporary and sophisticated kitchens, all the way through country homes and modern mountain lodges.
Metal countertops are environmentally friendly, in that they are 100% recyclable. Up to 100%-recycled materials may be available upon request.
Metal can be used for countertops, countertop legs, backsplashes, hood covers and tables. Your metal options are extensive, from stainless steel and copper (the most popular options — see below), to regular steel, titanium, aluminum and more.
Price Range: $$$
Stainless Steel Countertops
- Stainless steel is the most popular metal: It’s incredibly durable. It’s heat resistant. It’s nonporous with anti-microbial properties, so it’s easy to clean. And, it’s highly customizable. In other words, it’s a great solution for a highly active family or a foodie who loves to cook!
- You can choose the finish: Stainless steel can be customized with a variety of finishes – from a brushed finish (similar to what you’d see on a refrigerator) to a hand-rubbed finish with subtle swirls that give the steel a softened, less reflective, broken-in look. The key is to consider how you’ll use your kitchen or bath. We’ll help you tailor your stainless steel to your individual needs.
Copper Countertops
- Copper is the second most popular metal: It tends to provide a much richer color. Copper can be a great choice for the mountain lodge effect, the French country kitchen, and even a sophisticated dark walnut or cherry kitchen.
- Copper is a softer metal material: It shows its age and natural patina – similar to wood. While it’s easy to clean and shine, it will dent and scratch more easily.
- You can choose the finish: There are many finishes that can be used for copper. You can tailor your surface to how your family uses your kitchen or bath.
Glass Countertops
Glass countertops are a sophisticated way to spice up your kitchen or bath. They have a high-end look that can be customized to your taste in textures, colors and finishes.
Want a dynamic, multi-dimensional look − some “wow” factor? Consider mounting translucent glass over copper, stainless steel, or a colored cabinet top. Or, explore backlighting a glass surface with LED lighting. The effects are stunning!
Glass can be used for countertops, backsplashes and panels. Glass is non-porous, hygienic and maintenance free. It’s also heat resistant and stain free, making it a good surface for the kitchen.
When glass exceeds a thickness of 3/4”, it becomes extremely strong. When glass reaches 1.5” or more, it’s as strong as any stone. Contrary to popular belief, glass is a very resistant material that can take hard hits, even with active families.
Glass countertops are fully recyclable. In addition, 100%-recycled materials are available upon request.
Price Range: $$$-$$$$$
Laminate Countertops
Laminate countertops are made from composite materials. In recent years, they’ve come a long way in terms of appearance. Many resemble natural patterns you’d see in organic stone.
In addition to serving as a cost-effective countertop solution, laminates tend to be stain resistant and have high color consistency. We carry several brands of laminate countertops, including Formica and WilsonArt.
Price Range: $-$$
