Stainless Countertop Options for Your Kitchen

If you’re renovating your kitchen, have you considered stainless steel countertops? The go-to option for professional kitchens, it’s also a great choice for a serious home chef. It’s durable, stain-resistant, and heat-tolerant, and it looks modern and stylish. Concerned that it’s too austere for your homey kitchen? There are a surprising number of customization options available to match your kitchen’s style.

The edge profile is one place customization can come into play. Square edges are popular, but you can also choose beveled, bullnose, or unwrapped edges. Finish options are also varied and can be matched to your faucet fixtures. Finish options include satin, mirror polish, brushed metal, reverse hammered, and antique matte. If you’re concerned about fingerprints, choosing a brushed finish is a good option for hiding them. Still nervous about how stainless will look in your kitchen? Start small, maybe putting stainless on an island, in a kitchen with other countertops.

What’s so great about stainless countertops? The fact that they’re nearly indestructible is just the beginning.

• They won’t burn or rust. Hot pots set on the surface won’t scorch your stainless countertops, and water won’t permanently damage them. That’s because stainless countertops are made from a durable combination of chromium and nickel.
• As you’d expect, stainless doesn’t stain. Oils, acids, wine, and other things that would stain other countertops don’t damage stainless steel. This makes them a great option for busy kitchens.
• Stainless steel is easy to install. Stainless countertops don’t need to be sealed like granite or butcherblock or even concrete. They consist of a sheet of metal wrapped over a wood frame.
• The metal in a stainless countertop is recyclable. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly countertop option, you won’t find anything much better than stainless steel. Because the metal is 100 percent recyclable, installing these countertops will help minimize your carbon footprint.
• Stainless steel countertops are easy to maintain. For the most part, soapy water and a nylon sponge are all you’ll need to clean your stainless countertops. If your meal prep gets particularly messy, try sprinkling baking soda on the surface and wiping vinegar in the direction of the grain. Afterward, you can restore your countertop’s shine with a few drops of olive oil or mineral oil, buffed with a dry cloth.
• Surface scratches can be removed. Using a 180 grit abrasive pad, work in the direction of the grain to blend in the scratch mark. Deep scratches and dents, however, can’t be removed easily and may require professional restoration.

Is there a downside to stainless countertops? If there is, it’s the fact that it can be scratched and dented. Metal cookware and cutlery will make a lot of noise when you use them on a stainless counter and are likely to scratch the surface, especially if it’s lower-gauge stainless steel. If you truly want a restaurant-grade workspace, you’ll want to invest in the strongest stainless possible.

When you’re ready to remodel your kitchen, Capitol Design Build can help. We’ve been performing custom remodeling since 1989 and building custom, high-end homes in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area for 29 years. We serve businesses and individuals in Virginia, Washington D.C, and Maryland, meeting every need from kitchen renovation and bathroom remodeling to custom home design and building. With experience spanning many disciplines, including engineering, design, remodeling, construction, and customer service, we look forward to working with you. Feel free to shop our website, call us at (703) 436-2069, or contact us online for a free, no-obligation estimate.