COUNTERTOPS: Butcher-block Assembled from hardwood such as oak or maple glued together under pressure, a butcher-block counter can be a handsome addition to any kitchen but is practical only if you do a lot of chopping. If not, a cutting board should serve your needs. Unsealed butcher block must be seasoned with mineral oil before use and periodically thereafter to prevent stains and keep food particles and bacteria from being absorbed. (Polyurethane and varnishes are not recommended because they can chip with heavy use.) After use, clean butcher block thoroughly with a damp cloth and detergent then wipe again with a damp cloth. Excessive water absorption will cause wood to rot and delaminate. For this reason, never install butcher block next to a sink.
COUNTERTOPS: Ceramic Tile Mixture of clays fired at high temperatures to create a hard body and glazed Offered in a variety of colors, textures, and sizes Can usually tolerate hot pots Long lasting but grout can stain and is hard to maintain Difficult to repair chips or cracks Clean with mild soap and water Grout should be sealed Epoxy grout is easiest to maintain (can yellow)
COUNTERTOPS: Concrete Countertops Can be worked into different shapes, such as integral sinks, drain boards Comes in a variety of colors and textures Each fabricator has unique look - veining, texture, and color vary Will develop a warm patina to the surface over time Resists scratches and heat, but cutting on it will leave marks Heavy can develop cracks Must be sealed properly to resist stains Use non-abrasive cleaners and mild soap Do not leave acidic food or oil on the surface for extended periods of time as they will stain the surface. Do not cut foods directly on surface as knife may scratch the surface. Professionally seal periodically
COUNTERTOPS: Fiber Cement Countertops Solid surface - Made of a mixture of Portland cement, silica sand, and fillers Formed under hydrostatic pressure Denser than standard cement or concrete counters Lighter than natural stone, stain, and heat resistant Will develop a natural patina Brand Name: Slatescape & Eco-Cem Wash with mild soap and water Clean up spills immediately especially acids-use cutting board Apply 100% Tung Oil to maintain luster Can be professionally renewed every 2-5 years
COUNTERTOPS: Glass Available solid, shattered (laminated), sandblasted, or embossed (3-D pattern underneath) Nice for raised counters or vanities Shows fingerprints ½-1 thick very strong but can chip or break Clean with glass cleaner Use hot pad Avoid scratching
COUNTERTOPS: Laminate Most common countertop material No longer the familiar Formica Comprised of several layers: sheets of kraft paper, a decorative paper, and a melamine plastic coating Many colors and patterns available Edge options Clean with mild detergent No abrasives Layers make it difficult to repair chips Need to use cutting boards and hot pads Standing water on seams, must be wiped up immediately. Excessive water in these areas can cause swelling, which cannot be repaired.
COUNTERTOPS: Natural Fiber Composite Made from pulp derived from certified managed forests and recycled paper Treated with resin then pressed and baked to create solid sheets Significantly harder than wood solid all the way through Lighter colors will patina over time Food safe Brand Names: Richlite, Paper Stone Clean with soap and water on a regular basis Can be refinished with scotch pad or professional refinished Use hot pad and cutting board Wipe up spills
COUNTERTOPS: Natural Stone Slab Granite, marble, limestone, soapstone most common Granite most durable Marble, limestone, soapstone are softer and more porous Individual slabs can be viewed and chosen Comes in different thicknesses (2cm, 3cm) Great for rolling pastry dough Available honed, polished or antiqued Must be sealed regularly depending on sealer and usage Clean with mild detergent and water Wipe up spills immediately, avoid contact with acidic foods such as lemons
COUNTERTOP: Slatescape DAILY CARE: Wash the surface with soap and water. Follow with clean water rinse. Clean up spills quickly with a liquid cleaner followed with a clean water rinse. Limited use of abrasive cleansers is OK, but realize they will remove the surface and with it the coating applied in fabrication and thereby reduce its effectiveness. STAINS AND SCRATCHES: Stains and scratches can be removed through the following steps, moving from minor to major. Application: Comet or a similar abrasive cleaner on a moist cellulose sponge - rub aggressively. 3M Scotchbrite pad, medium coarse followed by fine 400 Grit abrasive cloth **KEEP THE SURFACE DAMP AND USE MODERATE PRESSURE. WITH ALL PROCEDURES, RUB IN RANDOM PATTERNS. FINISH: We recommend that you use 100% Pure Tung Oil. You may find Tung Oil from Woodcrafters. There are several locations in the Portland area or Environmental Building Supply. DO NOT use Tung Oil that has been cut with Varnish or Shellac. 100% Tung Oil is used to darken the surface, give it a slight luster and reduce surface absorption. Application: Apply a light coat of 100% Tung Oil with soft cloth. Keep coats light; using too much will leave you with 1-2 weeks of tacky countertops. Buff out excess with a clean cloth. Repeat process one to four times in a year or whenever your Slatescape counters appear dry. Your counter may require a different maintenance schedule depending upon the use it gets.
PRECAUTIONS: Using your Slatescape countertops as a cutting board is not recommended. It will scratch the surface and dull your knife blade. Also avoid letting citric acid and vinegar spills stand on the counter. These will both leave stains. SLATESCAPE COUNTERTOPS RENEWAL: You may reseal your countertops and may elect to also have them sanded at the same time. Two to five years is the estimated time frame on heavily used countertops, although many clients have actually enjoyed the patina look that the countertops acquire after time and elect not to have them re-surfaced.
COUNTERTOPS: Solid Surface Made of solid synthetic sheets formed by mixing a mineral compound with polyester and/or acrylic resins Variety of colors and finishes and can look and feel like stone Can form decorative shapes and have an integral sink Chips, dents, and scratches can be repaired easily Brand names: Corian, Avonite, Swanstone, LG Hi-Macs, etc. Use soapy water or ammonia based cleaner Use manufacturer s cleaner for difficult residue Will stain but most spots can be scrubbed out Use a hot pad (it can crack) Use a cutting board These acrylic and polyurethane-acrylic materials mimic the look of expensive stone-colors and patterns run all the way through the material, just like marble or granite-and are easily fabricated into custom shapes. Though cheaper than marble and fancier grades of granite, solid surfacing can cost five times as much as plastic laminate. Solid surfacing is non-porous, which helps keep stains at bay, but it is susceptible to scratches and gouges and hot pans may burn it. Minor scratches and blemishes can be removed with fine-grain sandpaper. Removing blemishes with nonabrasive cleaners is another option.
COUNTERTOPS: Stainless Steel Professional high-tech or restaurant kitchen look Won t stain, can handle hot pots, and easy to clean Shows scratches, fingerprints, and dulls knives Costly to fabricate Wipe spills immediately Use glass cleaner
COUNTERTOPS: Quartz Composite Countertops Also known as engineered stone made of quartz and resins Comes in slabs (2cm, 3cm) Heat and stain resistant-non porous Many mimic the look of natural stone Easy maintenance Brand names: Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, Zodiac, etc. Use only warm water and a ph neutral cleaner (409, Simple Green) Hot pads recommended Avoid Bleach, alkaline (high PH) cleaners such as oven cleaner, abrasive cleaners such as Comet, Soft Scrub product or products containt pumice, SOS pads and other similar products.