Heavy Metals - Stainless Steel, Copper
Flux Studios INC.
From the Summer 2007 Countertops Buyer's Guide
Stainless and copper are a breeze to clean and both are impervious to stains and high temperatures. Over time, the metals lose a bit of their luster, and a deep, rich patina emerges.
Benefits: While evoking the style of natural stone, solid surfaces and engineered quartz offer a wider variety of colors and patterns that can't be found in nature. The materials are also lighter than natural stone. Because they are easy to work with, it is possible to fully integrate sinks, countertops and backsplashes for a seamless look. The materials are also repairable. Quartz is especially strong, nearly twice as strong as granite.
Drawbacks: Metals show nicks, scratches and fingerprints easily. The price can be a bit prohibitive, but both can be used as accents to additional countertop materials.
Make It Yours: Stainless and copper are both available from local metal fabricators. Also check out metal tiles available from the likes of Lineage tiles, Frigo Designs, Flux Studios and Sicis.
Pricing: Expect to pay upwards of $100 per square foot installed for either. Installation should be completed by a local metal fabricator, so costs do vary widely.
Benefits: While evoking the style of natural stone, solid surfaces and engineered quartz offer a wider variety of colors and patterns that can't be found in nature. The materials are also lighter than natural stone. Because they are easy to work with, it is possible to fully integrate sinks, countertops and backsplashes for a seamless look. The materials are also repairable. Quartz is especially strong, nearly twice as strong as granite.
Drawbacks: Metals show nicks, scratches and fingerprints easily. The price can be a bit prohibitive, but both can be used as accents to additional countertop materials.
Make It Yours: Stainless and copper are both available from local metal fabricators. Also check out metal tiles available from the likes of Lineage tiles, Frigo Designs, Flux Studios and Sicis.
Pricing: Expect to pay upwards of $100 per square foot installed for either. Installation should be completed by a local metal fabricator, so costs do vary widely.
