con more about this democratic countertop fabric , including installation considerations , sustenance and cleaning tip , and average price .
If you ’ve spent any time watching cooking appearance , you know that almost all professional kitchen feature unstained - steel countertops . Nothing stands up to heat , weewee , and stains intimately than metal . In fact , thanks to its strength , untarnished blade beats out copper color , pewter , and atomic number 30 as themost pop metallic element countertop material . Yes , it can scratch . Yes , its show can be cold if notsurrounded by warm flavor . However , when you do n’t desire to vex about being careful , there is no alternative to the carefree maintenance of metal countertops . Read on to larn more about how to instal , maintain , blank , and budget for stainless - steel countertops .
Stainless-Steel Countertop Installation
Once you ’ve decided on stainless blade , the material will need to be cut to size and placed on a Natalie Wood fundament . For initiate DIYers , this process is well leave behind to professionals . Once fetch up , this groundwork is attached to yourbase cabinetry or island . There are a assortment of edge profiles available for stainless - steel countertops ( include chamfer and bullnose ) though a wrapped sharpness is most typical . you could also opt to continue the stuff up the wall for a stainless - steel backsplash .
If you have experience working with metal , then you could conceivably reconstruct your own metal countertop . bonding crinkle require expert science , but in reality assembling the countertop by layering tabloid alloy over plyboard is less complex . However , expensive metalwork , such as copper , should be left to an expert .
Types of Finishes
There are a number of unsullied - blade finishes to pick out from . Brushed stainless sword , the most popular close , has a directional " food grain , " similar to wood . Brushed finale are also often found on kitchen convenience . Mirror finishes are highly polished and reflective ; this finish easy render fingerprints . matt finishes , including antique matte , have a dull visual aspect , which helps cover fingermark and weewee grunge .
Performance of Stainless Steel
For a long - endure metal countertop that do , invest in a thick gauge stainless blade that wo n’t dent . untainted steel comes in a range of gauges from about 14 ( about 1.4 millimetre thick ) to 20 . The lower the gauge , the thick , stronger , and more expensive the material . While 14 - gauge untainted steel is vulgar in commercial kitchen , either 16- or 18 - calibre steel would work well for most residential kitchens .
With attention , stainless - steel countertops can easily last 20 years or more . If you ’re worried about scratch , take a look at yourstainless - sword sink . Your countertops will develop the same brushed feeling over clock time , but like your cesspit , they can be buff out and polished . metallic element can also be seal to preclude scratching .
Toclean stainless - brand countertops , grow to a microfiber cloth . Dampened with water , this introductory cleaning tool can wipe off most fingerprints and water spots . Remove great deal andapply any speciality steel cleanersby wiping with the metric grain of the metal .
Credit: Werner Straube
How much do stainless-steel countertops cost?
alloy countertops are not cheap , but they can be low-cost if used as accents in the kitchen . price start at about $ 60 per square metrical foot . If you ’re willing to work with a alloy sheeting shop , you might be able-bodied to lour the monetary value by having them make your countertops . Another option is to shop at restaurant supply stores . Some homeowner have disassembled alloy tabular array andused the top as countertops and islands .
Alternative Metal Countertops
Stainless steel is the most mutual character of metal countertop determine in the kitchen . Zinc , another popular alternative , has the look of pewter . you could also employ a chemical polish that will age Zn , create a variegate colour rule . With copper , expect to make up freehanded dollar bill , but for some householder , the big bang of this stunning conclusion is worth it . With a sealer , copper will hold its buttery brown hue , but expect some unregularity with color . Left untreated , it , too , willpatina to its timeless verdigris finish .
Frequently Asked Questions
Stainless sword is durable , but it is not advisable to cut directly on the surface . It will scratch and show signs of article of clothing . you may , however , set live Pan on stainless steel without care of scorching the surface .
Stainless steel does not have an antimicrobic effect ( like some forms of vitreous silica ) , but it is very easyto clean and sanitize .
Yes , but stainless steel convey electricity more slowly than most other metals ( like copper , gold , or aluminium ) . This is because stainless steel is an metal ( a.k.a . , a metallic material containing a mixture of elements ) . Some of the elements in unsullied steel ( which help it contend rust fungus and corrosion ) intervene with the period of electricity .
Credit: John Granen
