At one time, stainless steel countertops were used only in commercial kitchens. But today, even residential kitchens are using stainless steel for everything in the kitchen. The refrigerators, other appliances as well as the lighting fixtures are made from this material & look really attractive.
Stainless steel countertops have some very distinct advantages over various other surfaces like wood, laminates or ceramic tiles. Stainless steel is a tough & durable metal. Also they are highly resistant to breeding of germs & bacteria. Hence they have been a hot favorite for commercial kitchens since a long time. Also, this metal is resistant to heat and various other corrosive materials.
But these stainless steel countertops are not immune to getting dents or scratches.
Another major benefit of using stainless steel countertops is their neutral tone. This way they are able to reflect light as well as the colors which are around it. So these steel countertops can gel well with any cabinet combination as well as any other countertop materials. So it is easy to get a modern, industrial as well as a clean and professional looking kitchen withstainless steel countertops.
Stainless Steel is basically an alloy of carbon & iron. To this chromium & nickel are added in small quantities. These two metals impact the corrosive power & the stain resistance of the stainless steel counters of your kitchen. Stainless steel is a highly malleable compound. That is the reason why it can be molded into countertops. These sheets are soundproofed. Then all the seams are welded to ensure that there are no sharp edges.
In fact backsplash are also a great idea along with the stainless steel counters. These countertops are usually extended right up to the wall of the kitchen. This way it becomes easy to make an integrated backsplash. Another option is for the backsplash to be used as a cover for a complete wall which adjoins this steel countertop. Many edge finishes are available for stainless steel like beveled, bull nosed or angle. Or one may even opt for marine edge finish for their steel countertop.
Not everything is good with countertops which are made of stainless steel. Any fingerprints will stand out. The shiny surface also shows the smudges very clearly. Also, stainless steel is quite prone to dents & scratches. If it is rubbed with an abrasive in the opposite direction of its grain finish, the scratches will come. It is also not possible to remove these scratches. They take a real long time to go away. But the good thing is that a dented or scratched steel countertop will still be as useful. Hence today various new & modified surface finishes are available as countertops. These come as matte or brushed finish. Others are satin and etched finish. Besides looking good, they help to hide finger marks & are resistant to scratches.
The countertops made from stainless steel are quite expensive too. Hence today ,countertops are being made from acrylic polymers. These are available in various styles and finishes to suit all tastes & requirements.