 Photo courtesy DuPont Corian solid surfaces
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With the exception of floors, no household surface undergoes more wear and tear than—or is as noticeable as—a kitchen countertop. Fortunately, many durable and beautiful options, in a wide array of materials, colors, and finishes, are available today.
A standard countertop is 25 inches deep and 1-1/2 inches thick; it is set 36 inches above the floor. When installed on a standard base cabinet, it will overhang in front by 1 inch.
Because most kitchen walls are slightly out-of-square, the safest course is to order your countertops after you’ve ordered your base cabinets. Have your Lowe’s professional create a template when you order your countertop.
The chart HERE lists the most popular types of countertops, from the least to the most expensive.
BACKSPLASHES
A backsplash is the short wall area that runs along the back of a countertop. It may be a separate piece or integral with the countertop.
Despite its relatively small size, a backsplash is likely to be one of the first things to catch your eye when you enter a kitchen. Because a backsplash offers big visual impact but requires only a bit of finish material, it is an ideal place to express your creativity.
A backsplash has only one practical requirement: It must be easy to clean and durable enough to scrub over and over again because it receives the bulk of splattered food from cooking.
If a backsplash is not integral to the countertop, it should be installed last because it will almost certainly require detailed work around electrical outlets, switches, and other obstacles.
If the backsplash will have horizontal lines, such as grout lines on a tile installation, check regularly during installation to make sure they align with the wall cabinets and countertop.
Backsplash choices include all of those for countertops: plastic laminate, ceramic tile, wood, solid surface, and stone.
 Photo courtesy DuPont Zodiaq quartz surfaces
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Plastic-laminate and solid-surface materials will likely be integral to the countertop, and with no seams they will be a joy to keep clean.
Ceramic and stone tiles are installed just the same as the countertop, but they do not need to be as thick or strong because they will not receive the same wear and tear. However, make sure they are well glazed or sealed for stain resistance and easy cleanup.
Wood is suitable only for a backsplash molding and will need to be resealed periodically. Be sure to purchase pieces that are prefinished for use in a kitchen, or apply several coats of clear polyurethane finish after installation.
Your easiest and least-expensive option is either paint or wallpaper. A high-quality semigloss latex paint offers enough water and stain resistance for most kitchens. Choose scrubbable wallpaper. Paint or paper the wall before installing the countertop and any backsplash molding.
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