Considering Glass Counters? 4 Questions to Ask

Updating your kitchen countertops is an effective way to breathe new life into your design scheme, but there are so many potential countertop materials. Natural and engineered stone. Laminate. Solid-surface materials. Wood. The list goes on. Here are some key questions to determine if glass counters are a good fit for you:

1. Is Having Custom Countertops Important to You?

Some homeowners are happy with stock, readymade options throughout their kitchens; others are interested in customization. If you fall into the second camp, glass is a highly versatile and customizable material.

From a customization standpoint, here’s why glass can beat out other materials:

• Glass lends itself to clean, precise, pristine cuts. You have lots of leeway with the pattern and shape you want. Talk to a qualified glass manufacturer if you have something specific in mind.
• Glass can be left clear, or it can be infused with a variety of colors or patterns. There will likely be a customized option that complements and enhances your existing or renovated design scheme. Learn more about the textures, patterns, and colors available in our ThickGlass™ glass countertops.
• Edge treatments might seem like a small detail, but they make a big overall impact. They are a highly visible part of your countertop, and they also affect the physical feel of the installation. Glass can be made into everything from an angular, clean flat polish to a smooth bull nose to an entirely custom irregular edge.

2. Do You Prefer Counters with Minimal Maintenance?

With any home improvement project, maintenance concerns are one of the biggest—and most often overlooked—factors. When considering countertop options, make sure you’re thinking about which material is going to be easiest to clean day to day and to maintain over the years.

Maintenance considerations should be thought of in two ways: time requirements and expense. Obviously, it’s ideal to minimize both.

Here are some maintenance-related facts about glass:

• Glass, unlike something like granite, does not need to be periodically resealed.
• It’s quick and easy to clean up any spilled food or liquids on glass. Water and a soft rag usually do the trick.
• Glass is an impervious material, meaning you don’t have to worry about rushing to clean up that mustard or wine. The glass won’t stain.
• As an impervious material, glass also resists mold and bacteria buildup. This is especially important in a food prep area.
• There’s no need to use harsh cleaning chemicals, which can contaminate food if not thoroughly removed.
• Glass is a very long-lasting and durable material, so you don’t have to worry about frequent repairs or replacement.

Want more information? Check out how to clean glass counters here.

3. Are You a Home Cook Who Puts Countertops to the Test?

If you love to cook, you know how much it can take a toll on your kitchen. All that chopping, searing, and food splatter day after day can put your kitchen materials through the wringer. Counters often take the brunt of this abuse.

Glass countertops  could be right for you if you’re looking for a material that ticks all these boxes:

• Stain-resistant
• Scratch-resistant
• Heat resistant
• Hygienic (glass is hydrophobic, making it naturally resistant to mold and bacteria)
• Resistant to etching from hard water
• Not susceptible to acid etching (cook away with those lemons and limes!)

People who know they’re going to be using their countertops every day often gravitate toward glass because it can withstand a lot of daily wear and tear and still look pristine.

To ensure your glass stays free of scratches, get an anti-scratch coating on your counters. If you work with Jockimo, this scratch-resistant coating comes standard on all glass countertop products.

4. Do You Want to Make a Unique, Bold Design Statement?

Glass countertops usually end up being the design focal point of a kitchen. While rapidly growing in popularity because of the benefits of glass countertops, they are still seen with less frequency than quartz, granite, porcelain, marble, or other more traditional countertop materials.

Glass can give a kitchen a very distinct and unique aesthetic. With its clean lines, glass has a classic elegance and a distinctly modern feel.

That being said, glass does make a bold statement. If you’re remodeling a home in order to sell it, you might want to opt for a more neutral material that appeals to the largest customer base possible.

If you’re designing for yourself, though, go for the material, look, and impact that best matches your tastes!

Give Your Kitchen a New Look with Glass Counters

Are you interested in learning more about the potential of glass countertops? Want to get a quote for your upcoming project? Reach out, and we’d be happy to help!