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Material
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Pros
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Cons
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Maintenance
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Stainless Steel
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- Heatproof
- Stain proof
- Can be made with integral sink, drain boards
- Won't fade, rust, chip.
- Fresh modern look
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- Can scratch, but minor scratches can be
removed
- Shows watermarks, if not towel dried
- Noisy but can be ordered as soundproofed.
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- Clean with mild cleaners or slightly abrasive one
to remove scratches. Towel dry after each use. Do not
use steel wool. A 3M Scotchbrite works well.
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Copper
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- Can be made with integral sink.
- Develops rich patina with age or can be polished.
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- Not scratch resistant, so trivet and cutting boards should be used.
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- Clean with mild cleansers. Do not spot polish.
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Bronze
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- New and innovative
- Can be made with integral sink.
- Develops rich patina with age or can be polished.
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- Not scratch resistant, so trivet and cutting boards should be used.
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- Clean with mild cleansers. Do not spot polish.
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Zinc
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- Develops a blue-gray patina with age or can be polished to original silver.
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- Susceptible to stains.
- Not scratch resistant, so use trivet and cutting boards.
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- Clean with mild cleansers.
- Do not spot polish.
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Pewter
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- Comes with a hi sheen polish
- Old world bar top look
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- Very soft material
- Not scratch resistant, so use trivet and cutting boards.
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- Clean with mild cleansers.
- Do not spot polish.
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Exotic
Woods
Premium
Wide PlankTM
Butcher Block
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- The "Classic" of Wood Tops
- Wide variety of hardwoods available.
- Hand selected boards
- Artisan Crafted and finished
- Warm appearance and renewable surface.
- Can be used as cutting surface, but may scratch with time.
- Undermount sinks work well.
- Tough Waterproof "Marine oil finish"
TM
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- Not heatproof, so use a trivet at the stove.
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- Clean with warm, soapy water
- Oil occasionally, depending on use.
- Can be scrubbed with a 3M Scotchbrite pad and re- oiled.
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Various Woods
Standard Plank
Butcher Block
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- Wide variety of hardwoods available.
- Warm appearance and renewable surface.
- Can be used as cutting surface, but may scratch with time.
- Undermount sinks work well.
- Good Waterlox finish
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- Not heatproof, so use a trivet at the stove.
- Boards are thinner and random and may
not be pleasing in pattern and color.
- Needs a recoat every year or so.
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- Clean with warm, soapy water
- Oil occasionally, depending on use.
- Can be scrubbed with a 3M Scotchbrite pad
and re- oiled.
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End Grain Maple
Butcher Block
Chopping Block
Get a quote
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Traditional 3 inch up to 12 inches thick.
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Unique with lots of charm.
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Made to be used as cutting surface
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Unique look not often seen.
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- Not heatproof so use trivet at the stove.
- Shows wear over time.
- May change counter height due to thickness
- Will split if not maintained with oil.
- Must be oiled often.
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- Clean with warm, soapy water.
- Oil monthly, depending on use.
- Needs regular attention with oil.
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Edge Grain,
Production Thin Plank Wood Countertop
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- Good "Budget" Material
- Old Favorite we all grew up with.
- Can be used as cutting surface, but may scratch with time.
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Too Easily recognized as "Budget" material.
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Not heatproof so use a trivet at the stove
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Thinly finished must be oiled often to prevent damage.
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May look shabby in one or two years.
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Clean with warm, soapy water.
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Oil often.
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Can be sanded back to a clean wood surface.
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Granite
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- Heatproof
- Waterproof
- Somewhat stain resistant
- Can be used with under mount sinks
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- Hard, cold, noisy.
- Tough on breakables
- May Stain
- look can be monolithic
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- Blot spills quickly
- Use mild cleaners
- Wipe with penetrating
- sealer periodically
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Marble
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- Heatproof
- Waterproof
- Can be used
- with under mount
- sinks
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- More prone to etching and staining from acids and juices in foods.
- Can scratch if used as cutting surface.
- May Stain
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- Use mild cleaners without vinegar, lemon or citric acid, which can etch it.
- Wipe with penetrating sealer periodically.
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Limestone
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- Waterproof
- Organic, textured look.
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- Varies in hardness depending on variety.
- Reactive with acidic foods
- Hot pots and dishes can leave rings
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- Blot spill quickly
- Use mild cleaners
- Wipe with penetrating sealer periodically
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Soapstone
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- Resistant to stains and low heat
- Very smooth
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- Darkens with time
- More likely to crack or chip than harder stones.
- Use a trivet.
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- Blot spills quickly.
- Use mild cleaners
- Wipe with mineral oil
- periodically
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Concrete
Get a quote |
- Can be made with under mount sink and drain boards.
- Huge color selection range.
- Texture and look are unique.
- Great finishes are now available to seal
and protect.
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- Good experienced fabricators are scarce
- While heat resistant, sealers can be damaged by hot pots, so use trivet
- While scratch resistant, use a cutting board
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- Blot spills quickly
- Clean with mild detergents and water.
- Abrasive cleaners can damage finish.
- Apply paste wax periodically
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Solid Surface: Corian, Fountainhead, Surell
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- Can be made with integral sink and drain boards
- Sanitary work surface
- Choice of colors and textures
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- Looks too sterile
- Been around, not a natural look.
- While scratch resistant, use a cutting board and trivet
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- Clean with mild detergents and water
- Abrasive cleaners can damage finish
- Scotchbrite pad periodically
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Glass
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- Heatproof
- Stain proof
- Can be made with under mount sink, drain boards
- Colored Backers.
- New Cutting Edge style
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- Can scratch
- Use trivets
- Shows watermarks, if not towel dried
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- Clean with mild cleaners for glass
- Towel dry after each use
- Do not use abrasives
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