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Stainless steel countertops
If you are interested in giving your kitchen that contemporary and practical look, then use stainless steel countertops for all your kitchen surfaces. That's right – aside from having refrigerator doors and cabinets made out of this material, you can also have your countertop made from stainless steel. This article will guide you about the pros and cons of getting a stainless steel countertop.
But first: an overview of stainless steel
Stainless steel is a metal alloy that has a high resistance against corrosion and oxidation (the process of rusting). It is made by combining basic low carbon steel with chromium. When metals reacts with water and air, it rusts and corrodes easily. When chromium is exposed to oxygen, it becomes chromium oxide. The chromium oxide forms a layer that may not be visible to the naked eye, but does a good job of protecting the steel from chemical reactions with water and air. Because it is cheap and durable, stainless steel is commonly used by the commercial and industrial market in to have affordable yet reliable products.
Pros of stainless steel countertops
Stainless steel is known for being very durable and reliable. Because of it is highly resistant to water, air, and heat, having a countertop made of stainless steel makes for the most ideal surfaces for food preparation. Having a stainless steel kitchen countertop is very easy to maintain. Simply wash it with a mild detergent and then wipe it dry with a piece of cloth. Stainless steel countertops can also be forgiving. If you accidentally drop a glass of water on it, chances are, it will not break. Another benefit of using stainless steel is that recent studies have shown that since stainless steel is nonporous, stainless steel countertops actually limits the growth of bacteria. This is very ideal for your kitchen especially if you have kids in the house. You know that your kitchen will always be clean.
Cons of stainless steel countertops
Stainless steel cuts easily. Some critics say that though this may be true, these scratches may have an aesthetic value in the long run. But if you are very anal about the appearance of your countertop, then you will find those little scratch marks very annoying. Stainless steel countertops are more prone to dents and bumps caused by accidents or hard impact from hard things. Custom finishing or fabrication of your stainless steel countertops may cost you a lot of money. Finally, stainless countertops can make a lot of noise, depending on its thickness. To control this, ask you contractor to place a sheet of plywood under your stainless steel surface. This will act as support and a sound barrier. There are also sound-deadening pads or coatings available in the market to reduce noise.