Counters are such central yet standard features of our homes that we often overlook them. But they are our offices, our workspaces, the places where we eat and which we often gather around. Through all this, they take quite a beating. That’s why they’re a great place to start any remodel.
Are you looking to replace yours with some brand new countertops?
WEIGHING YOUR OPTIONS
The most important decision you need to make is what type of countertop you want. There are granite, wood, metal, and many more alternatives.
We wish it were as easy as picking the appearance you like the most. But, unfortunately, you also have to think about the cost, installation, and even availability before settling on a choice.
Among other things, you should consider what size the countertops need to be. The sellers or manufacturers can sometimes cut the slabs according to your custom specifications. But other types will only be available in preset sizes. That’s why you need to measure the counters carefully.
A key factor is the durability of the material. It needs to be able to withstand whatever you are going to throw at it (literally and figuratively).
The finish and the treatments on the specific countertop can also make a difference, especially with wood.
It can be a heck of a job to find the ideal solution for you. We find that when it comes to these tricky choices, a simple pro and con list can be the best way to go.
So here, for your convenience, are some of the top types of countertops with a breakdown on their features.
WOOD
If you want your mobile home to look rustic and homely contemporary this could be the ideal choice. Wood countertops fit in well with the farmhouse and industrial styles that have been so trendy these last few years.
These counters can add a touch of warmth to any room. Not only are they aesthetically appealing, but they are also highly functional too.
For a more sustainable option, you can even make your own counters from treated recycled wood.
Pros:
Easy to install and repair
Can do it as a DIY
You can apply a variety of treatments
Highly heat resistant
Good for food prep
You can sand out its scratches
Sanitary
Waterproof if you seal it
Unique natural wood patterns
Budget-friendly
Widely available
Cons
Can be nicked and scratched easily
Requires maintenance
You can burn it if you haven’t treated it
Not naturally waterproof
You need to seal it or treat it
GRANITE
Granite is undoubtedly at the higher end of the scale for countertops. Not only does it have a premium look and feel, but it is also a high-value upgrade that potential buyers will love. It’s the epitome of luxury.
Nothing beats the beauty of a granite countertop. On top of this, the material is exceptionally strong. It’s durable, long-lasting, and resistant to most types of damage, including heat.
However, as you probably know, this quality comes at a cost. In the end, these are some of the most costly countertops out there.
Pros:
Every slab looks unique
High-value upgrade
Highly heat-resistant
Low maintenance if you treat it with a sealer
Multiple colors and types available
Cons:
Expensive
Not a DIY project
Porous
Need to seal it
Can blunt knives
Edges and corners prone to chips
MARBLE
Another of the luxury countertop options is marble. It’s one of those features that you dream of having in your home. People prize the stone for its premium quality and its stunning appearance.
One of its best features is that every slab of marble is unique. Each of the sheets has a distinctive pattern of veining. You should know that it’s heatproof and waterproof as well.
Unfortunately, the stone is somewhat porous, so it is susceptible to stains. Of course, it’s right up there with granite in its price too. You will need to shell out a pretty penny for a slab of marble.
Pros:
Each slab is unique
Waterproof
Heat resistant
High-value upgrade
Cons:
Expensive
Repairs are difficult
Not a DIY project
Porous
Not stain-resistant
TILE
One of the most waterproof countertop materials is tiles. Whether they are ceramic or porcelain, they are quite durable. The latter is more impervious to water. On the other hand, ceramics are less difficult to cut and handle.
But both of them can crack if you handle them roughly.
Luckily, installing tiles can be a great do-it-yourself project.
Best of all, you can get tiles in all colors of the rainbow. Fabricators also make them with a whole range of textures.
Just remember to check that they rated the tiles for floors and counters. Otherwise, they might be too fragile. You also want to buy ones with a seal, which means that the surface will be smooth and even.
Pros:
Wide range of options
Possible DIY project
Waterproof
Immune to heat damage
Inexpensive
Cons
Prone to cracking and breaking
Grout can stain
You need to maintain and possibly replace the mortar over time
STAINLESS STEEL
Another excellent option for your countertops is stainless steel. Their surfaces reflect light so you can use it to add some brightness to your room. Sleek and shiny, you should consider this material if you are going for the industrial look.
Sleek counters are exceptionally undemanding to clean and sanitize. That’s probably why professional chefs love to use them.
Many people feel that these countertops might feel a bit cold and impersonal. But you can balance it out by combining it with other textures and materials in the room.
Pros:
Spill and stain proof
Fairly durable
Reflects light
Heatproof
Easy to clean
High value
Great for commercial and home use
Cons
Scratch easily
Expensive
You shouldn’t use it for cutting
Expensive
Prone to dents
LAMINATE
Fabricators make laminates from synthetics that they coat with plastics to protect it. They stick the laminate sheet to a particleboard (MDF) core. Thanks to this layer, the surfaces are smooth and quick to clean. You can often simply wipe them down.
Fabricators sell pre-formed segments. But you can also ask them to fabricate custom sizes and dimensions for you.
Laminates don’t have the same luxury look and feel like some of the other options. However, the massive range of colors, patterns, and styles make up for it.
As long as you make sure that you install the counter properly and that is has been treated, it should be pretty waterproof.
In general, you have to be careful as it is prone to damage, and it is incredibly challenging to repair. Instead, use a cutting board than cutting straight on the surface.
Pros:
Inexpensive
Possible DIY project
Low-maintenance
Countless options available
Easy to clean
Cons:
Very difficult to repair
Prone to scratches and chips
Seams remain visible
Adds less value than other options
Needs backsplash treatment and edging
Not very heat resistant
SOLID-SURFACE
These countertops are man-made materials that fabricators produce with a blend of acrylic and resin and sometimes mineral dust. They press these combinations into slabs and sheets.
Initially, people designed solid-surfaces as an alternative to natural stone. In the end, the material can be just as durable. It is far cheaper than granite but more expensive than many of the alternatives.
Although it is still only a few decades old, there are now multiple brands producing these slabs. That’s why there are so many options out there for you to choose.
Unfortunately, it’s not a great choice if you want a DIY project from start to finish. You can still attempt it. However, it will pose a significant challenge.
Pros:
Stain-resistant
Less expensive than natural stone
Seams are invisible
Variety of colors and patterns
You can sand out damage
Cons:
Still relatively expensive
Not heat resistant
Challenging as a DIY project
Prone to scratches
QUARTZ
Quartz countertops are in truth an engineered stone product that fabricators produce from quartz particles and other minerals. They seal this combination with resin.
These countertops are a fantastic alternative to natural marble and granite. Manufacturers made it more hard-wearing. It is nonporous, so you don’t have to seal it, and it is stain-resistant.
Besides this, fabricators often produce them to mimic the appearance and veining of natural stone.
Pros:
Wide range of colors
Each slab is unique
No sealing required
Scratch and stain-resistant
Nonporous
Heatproof
You can have it custom fabricated
Cons:
Expensive
Heavy
CONCRETE
One of the most customizable countertops on the market is concrete. Because the finished slabs are so heavy, you’ll need to have them cast in your home in place. Therefore, you can mold it to your exact specifications.
Don’t fear it won’t look like the concrete on sidewalks (unless you want it too). You can polish them, and pour it so that it is textured. Besides this, you can stain it in acid to produce a whole range of colors.
Check out these brilliant examples of what you can do with concrete counters. A pro tip for upgrading its appearance is to embed stones or other decorative materials into its surface like tiles.
One downside is that concrete is prone to cracks. And it can be too porous unless you treat it. Overall, it is still a durable and long-lasting material.
Pros:
Highly customizable
You can color it by staining it
Heat resistant
Durable and long-lasting
Damage is easy to repair
Cons
Heavy
Prone to cracks
You have to seal it regularly
Can be too porous
Not a DIY project
Expensive
ROOM BY ROOM GUIDE
Next, we’ll look at how you can use and install countertops in the different parts of your mobile home.
KITCHEN COUNTERS
The first thing you probably think of when it comes to counters is your kitchen. You need surfaces to work on and prepare food. Besides this, you will probably occasionally serve meals there as well. You will install the same countertops around the sink too.
As a result, you preferably want to use materials that are waterproof and stain-resistant. Ideally, you don’t want to install counters that are prone to scratches if you’re going to cut and prepare food directly on the surface.
For many people, their kitchen is at the heart of their home and family life. So you want it to look attractive too.
We recommend granite, treated wood, laminate, quartz, or stainless steel.
BATHROOM COUNTER
Counters are just as central to your bathroom. They are necessary to mount the sink and also for you to put your things on.
Overall, the crucial factor to consider in a bathroom is that the material needs to be waterproof. You can seal and treat a variety of counters to protect them from water damage. However, it will probably best if you buy an option that is naturally nonporous.
That’s why some of the top options are granite, marble, solid-surfaces, and tiles.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN
A fantastic outdoor addition to any mobile home is an outdoor kitchen. In this case, you will need space to prepare and place the food that you are going to cook on your fire or barbeque.
As a result, you also want the counters to be scratch and stain-resistant. Besides this, it must be heatproof too.
Natural stone always blends in well outside. But tiles are also trendy.
NOT JUST A PRETTY PICTURE
You should always pick countertops that fit your decor and style. They can be a fantastic way to add some flair to your mobile home. But you need to remember that they have to be functional too.
You have to choose a material specifically suited for the room in which you are going to install it.
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