Steel The Show: The Pros And Cons Of Stainless Steel Countertops
Stainless steel counters are not the most popular choice in home kitchens, but they are certainly gaining popularity. They're a great choice for anyone who wants a more modern, industrial look. However, there are a few pros and cons associated with stainless steel, and you would do well to consider both sides before having this type of countertops installed.
Pros of Stainless Steel Counters
Stainless steel counters are non-porous.
Basically, this means that bacteria and other germs cannot make their way into the surface. Wipe the steel down with a disinfectant cleaner, and your surface will be perfectly sanitized.
Stainless steel counters are really, really durable.
You can set hot pots on them and accidentally drop ceramic mugs on them — and the counters will be just fine. (Cutting on stainless steel is not good for your knives, but that's another matter; making the occasional cut won't hurt the counters.)
Stainless steel counters don't require maintenance.
You don't need to have them refinished, sealed, painted, or anything else. All you ever have to do is wipe the counter down. This will not only save you time but also money over the years in comparison to the maintenance you'd have to do on a wood or granite counter.
Cons of Stainless Steel Counters
Stainless steel is one color.
You don't get to pick the color of your steel, which may limit your design choices to some degree. If you like the color of stainless steel, then you're set — but if you don't like the color of stainless steel, this may not be the counter material for you.
Stainless steel does scratch.
While the material won't dent or ding easily, it can scratch, particularly if a harder substance like glass gets drawn across it. The scratches are difficult or impossible to get out. Some people don't mind them at all, but if a few scratches bother you, then stainless steel might not be the smartest counter choice.
Stainless steel counters make noise.
When you set something on the counter, it makes a clanging noise. This can get pretty noisy pretty quickly if you have kids that like to bang on the counter.
Keep these pros and cons in mind, and contact a counter company to learn more about this material. Consider looking at some other kitchens with stainless steel counters to see whether you enjoy the look, and go from there.
For more ideas for kitchen countertops, reach out to a counter contractor in your area.