The Ultimate Guide to Counter Top Installation | Majestic Handyman Ogden

Are you making plans to install your new kitchen counter-tops? Or you need to replace the existing your old counter-tops?
Great! But to the main issue… what material is the best for the counter-top? The expensive marble? Or the cheap laminate?
Here is a guide to help you make the right choices in regards to counter-top installation material
Should you hire a counter-top installation professional?
There are things you can comfortably handle at home but when it comes to counter-top installation, you need professional help. A person who knows the best materials and one that will follow the right installation procedures.
Here are some why you need to get in touch with a handyman to help with the installation?

• It will take some time: installing a counter-top will take some time and you may not have this right now. Rushing through the installation will result in not-so-pleasant installation that will ruin your home’s great appeal.
• You want to increase your home’s resale value: if you have plans to sell your home in the future, you will require a counter-top that will raise your home’s value. A handyman with the right training and one who has vast experience in the job is the best option. He will choose the best materials that will make you earn more from the sale.
• A handyman will complete the job on time: this is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a professional. He will ensure that the work is complete just as you agreed before he started working. If you try to carry out the installation, you’ll waste a lot of time and in the end, the results may not be pleasing to your eyes.
• He will make good use of the materials you purchased for the installation: a professional will not waste materials as he will be more accurate in his measurements. If you were the one installing the counter-top, the chances of making the wrong measurements leading to wastage are very high.

Which is the best material for your counter-top?
This is another tricky concern and the right answer will depend on a number of factors such as:

• The budget you’ve set aside for the installation: counter-top materials vary in price with some being really expensive and others cheaper. Buy a material that fits your budget and one that will remain in great condition for longer.
• Where the counter-top will be installed: you need to consider where you want to install the counter-top before you buy the materials. If you will be installing the counter-top in the bathroom, choose a counter-top that will not get damaged due to exposure to water.
• Your style: it is important to consider your style and the design of the rest of the house when buying the counter-top materials. Buy materials that will enhance your home’s good looks.
• The materials available: the handyman you will hire to install the counter-top will use the materials available. This is why it is important to ask for directions from the handy man who’ll be installing before making the purchase.

Best counter-top materialsMarble
Pros

• Very attractive
• It is heat resistant
• It is easy to find as most shops have it in stock

Cons

• Marble scratches easily which means if you are not careful, it may lose its initial appeal really fast.
• Staining: if you leave foreign materials on the counter-top for long, they may stain the counter-top and it will not be easy to remove the stain.

My take: if you choose to install a marble counter-top, seal it to prevent scratching. If any form of liquid pours on the counter-top, wipe it off immediately to prevent staining.
Granite
Pros

• Heat resistant
• It does not stain
• Very hard making it almost impossible to scratch
• It is almost natural and does not contain harmful substances
• Requires little maintenance

Cons

• Expensive to buy

• If it accidentally falls or a heavy object falls on it, there is a likelihood of breaking. This is a huge loss as the granite is quite expensive. The safety of this material will only be guaranteed if you hire a professional handy man for the counter-top installation.
• If your space is limited, you’ll have to cut the granite as it is only available in large sizes. Only a professional handyman will be able to disguise the seams and make them less noticeable.
• porous

Quartz
Pros

• Durable and does not chip or crack easily
• Has a luxurious appearance
• Non-porous
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

• Quartz is expensive
• If you fail to hire a professional handyman, there counter-top's seam will be easily noticeable.
• Not resistant to heat
• Has a contemporary look
• Less expensive compared to other counter-top materials

Slate
Pros

• Very attractive
• Non-porous
• Easy to clean
• Durable which makes it a great choice for a kitchen or bathroom counter-top.

Cons

• The edges age very brittle and will easily chip. To prevent this, a professional handyman will put create rounded edges.

There are other materials that you can use for your counter-top installations such as stainless steel which will still look good and last longer.
Ask yourself these questions to help you decide on the best material for you.

1. Do you want a counter-top that you can directly put hot substances without breaking?
2. What happens if there will be accident spills on your counter-top?
3. Will the counter-top require regular sealing?
4. Will the counter-top be hard to maintain?

With the right handyman and the right material for your counter-top installation, you will have a great looking home. if you plan to sell your home in the future, adding a counter-top will increase its value. Though the cost of installing a counter-top is higher, your home will look good for longer. All you need to achieve this is getting the right man to do the job.
Nothing looks as good as having a beautiful counter-top in your home or office. The satisfaction you’ll get any time your visitors complement  your beautiful counter-top is enough motivation.


​Majestic Handyman Ogden