The New Kitchen Centerpiece

The countertop is more than a decorative accent in the kitchen – it’s where the serious food preparation is done. But consumers also want the countertop to complement the overall design of their kitchen and make a personal statement.

That may seem like a lot of work for one product, but as the kitchen increasingly becomes a multi-functional space, products are expected to do more work, better and more beautifully than ever.

“The advent of home remodeling shows has empowered and encouraged homeowners to take their homes as a canvas for personal expression. And no other room seems to enjoy more attention than the kitchen,” says L. Monica Canales, marketing director for Cosentino USA (Silestone by Cosentino) in Stafford, TX. “The countertops are one of the most prominent and most used materials in any kitchen, presenting an ideal opportunity for customization,” she continues.

Peter Warren, president of Swanstone in St. Louis, MO agrees. “Countertops have become the new centerpiece of the kitchen, and are driving many of the other choices that customers make regarding fixtures, appliances and cabinets. People are choosing countertops based on permanence and beauty, with durability and ease of maintenance critical underlying considerations.”

So how are designers achieving a balance between high-performance, low-maintenance work surfaces and eye-catching design? According to manufacturers surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News, the variety of material choices, color and pattern options and mix-and-match capabilities make the task easier than ever.

Material Options
When it comes to durability, style and classic appeal, natural stone and quartz surfacing seem to be getting rave reviews from both designers and manufacturers.

“For the last few years, of course, the story has been all about granite and quartz. Low-cost Asian providers [of these materials] have driven prices down to a much more affordable level, and [designers are seeing] consumers [wanting to] taking advantage of that,” Warren points out.

While some industry experts believe solid surface is waning due to the influx of new material choices, others believe solid surface will stand the test of time. Gus Blume, of Blume’s Solid Surface in Freeport, PA, a fabricator for Hanwha Surfaces in Cypress, CA, admits that the popularity of natural stone and quartz have slowed the sale of solid surface somewhat.

“With the retail price of solid surface, granite and quartz being pretty much the same, the consumer’s perception is that quartz and granite are better values,” says Blume. “The consumers in our area are struggling between quartz and natural stone. On one hand, you have the beauty and status of natural stone, and then [you have quartz] being sold as less maintenance, more color consistency and non-porous. Our solid surface sales have suffered because of these trends. However, we feel solid surface is here to stay, and its popularity will return.”

Indeed, many believe that the growth of natural and engineered stone are sparking a new level of creativity in solid surface. This, in conjunction with the maintenance issues many cite with granite, will lead to a strong resurgence in solid surface, they believe.

“I’m seeing a new look at solid surface by designers and national homebuilders,” points out Evan Kruger, co-founder of Eos Solid Surface in Portsmouth, VA. “People have had their granite now, and don’t like the chips and stains and caulk in the seams, so they are revisiting solid surface for its invisible seams, ease of repair and warranty support,” he adds.

Other manufacturers are finding ways to stay competitive as well. For instance, Shirestone is a countertop material that is poured in-place, created on-site, says Matt Jecker, president of Counterfit Systems, Inc. in Nixa, MO. This, he feels, helps designers deliver the customized countertop looks consumers are seeking.