HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Metal countertops are not exclusively stainless steel. Copper is increasingly finding a place in the kitchen. While it’s not mainstream, copper does have its appeal for those who enjoy having something unusual.
Tips for Selection: Copper is a softer metal than stainless steel. In countertops, look for copper that is at least .060 thick. Copper of .080 provides added strength and performance.
Advantages:
- an excellent antibacterial material and cleanup is simple with soap and water.
Disadvantages:
- copper is a soft metal and can dent easily compared to stainless steel
Average Material Cost: around $150 per square foot
OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops: The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen counter tops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through its integration with your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Kitchen Copper Countertops: A copper countertop can be more volatile and susceptible to changes than stainless steel. Some homeowners consider this part of the developing patina as it moves from shiny copper to a charcoal brown. Scratches on copper are typically not addressed as they are part of the aging process and add to the natural patina.
GREEN Considerations: Copper does involve an extensive mining process that can be quite damaging to the earth in multiple ways.
