These days’ home owners are embracing more creative options for aesthetics and design. One such new trend in kitchen countertops is glass countertops. Gone are the days when the only sturdy and classic option used to be granite, and granite countertop installers were called for the installation process.
Glass Kitchen Countertops
People are now accepting more unique ideas and materials. Glass creates a very versatile look and you can pay with unimaginative looks and designs. However, glass is not perfect either, it has its share of disadvantages as well.
Before you choose any material for your kitchen countertop, read below the pros and cons of glass countertops.
Pros of Glass Countertops
- Glass is a very versatile option as it comes in a variety of designs, textures, colors and styles. Glass goes well with any material so it can even be paired with other materials to create a unique design. You can get it made in any shape or patterns according to your kitchen theme and play with anything that comes in your mind.
- Glass is extremely durable so you can easily place heavy pots and pans without worrying about pressure.
- Glass is highly heat resistant so you do not need to worry about placing your heated pots and pans on the countertop without thinking whether it will shrink or damage.
- It is a non-porous material unlike granite and other natural materials so it does not require sealants and also you do not need to worry about any liquid seeing inside.
- Due to its non-porous nature, it is a highly hygienic option as no liquids can permeate. This way there will not be any chance of bacterial growth or dirt and you can safely use food items on the countertop.
- Glass countertops are also scratch and cut resistant, so you can use your knives fluently without getting scared about cracks and scratch marks on your countertop.
- It is extremely low maintenance as it does not require annual maintenance or sealants of any sort or any specialized cleaning agents. You just need a soft wash cloth and soapy water to clean the surface and it is as good as new.
- Glass is a recyclable material which is beneficial for the economy as many resources are saved. Recycled glass shards are used to make glass countertops so if you are buying glass countertops, you are ecofriendly.
- Glass is a very affordable option as it is much cheaper than granite or any other natural stone.
Cons of Glass Countertops
- Although glass is quite durable but is prone to damage. If extremely heavy objects are placed on glass countertops or it is handled roughly then glass countertop may also chip and crack.
- Glass is a heat resistant material but that does not mean you can place extremely hot pots and pans directly on the glass surface. High heat objects left for a long period of time can cause the glass to crack or even break.
- Glass is affordable but if it gets cracked or chipped then the repairing costs are really high. You have to be careful with glass because sometimes the damage can be irreparable that you will have no other option than to replace the whole glass countertop.
- Glass itself is highly affordable but the customization costs can exceed your budget. The more unique customization or designing the more expensive it can become.
- Glass is a very fragile material that only professionals can do the installation. Due to the fragility of the glass material and careful to handle nature, its installation costs are quite high. On the whole glass countertops can be very costly in the end.
- Although glass is a low maintenance material and can be easily cleaned with soapy water and washcloth but if it is not cleaned regularly then it may cause stains which will make it look dirty and stained overtime.
- Glass needs to be cleaned all the time as it can cause fingerprints and water stains very easily.
Conclusion
If you are in for a remodel and are considering countertop replacement Durham NC, then glass is very versatile option where you can play with ideas. But you should not only go for aesthetic appeal and instead consider the pros and cons listed above.
