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Metal CountertopsMetal countertops may not be the first thing you think of when considering an update to your kitchen but they’re certainly unique and offer a very distinctive look to any kitchen. Stainless steel is the most common metal countertop used though zinc, copper and even pewter are available. Each type of metal has its own unique qualities and imparts a distinct style to the kitchen. What you should know before choosing metal countertops The first thing you should know about metallic countertops is that they are not solid slabs of metal equal to the thickness of your countertop. Rather, they’re relatively thin sheets of metal that are formed and fastened over a wood or similar backing material. The metal wraps around the edges to give the countertop a finished look. In most cases the corners are welded and then the welds are ground smooth so there is no appearance of a seam. Metal is non-porous with good hygienic qualities and it’s virtually heat-proof. However it also has some other qualities that you should be aware of. It's ‘malleable’ which means it can be dented, despite its backing material, and once the dent’s there, it can’t be removed. You may think that your countertop won’t see any rough duty or double as a workbench but don’t discount inadvertently dropping a full wine bottle onto the surface. Metals differ in their hardness and resistance to dents. Zinc and copper are softer than stainless steel. Another thing to keep in mind is that certain metals will develop their own unique characteristics which could be good or bad, depending on your likes and dislikes. Metal surfaces can be scratched though this might add character over time if that’s your cup of tea. Some metals like stainless steel hide scratches better, depending on their surface finish. A brushed finish actually has lots of micro-scratches already on the surface so it’s better at hiding normal wear and tear. Compare that to a smooth or mirror-like finish that shows scratches and fingerprints much more readily. Copper and zinc countertops will develop surface oxidation that will change their color. Again, this age-induced patina may be something you’ll like. If it’s not, you can apply a wax coating to keep the metal’s original color. Types of Metal Countertops Metal countertops are generally available in 4 different materials. That’s not to say you can’t get some fabricator to fashion them out of a different metal if you’re willing to pay the price. Just remember that if you do go the unconventional route, make sure you know what to expect from that type of metal. These are the more common types of metal countertops: Stainless steel is probably the more commonly recognized variety of the metal countertops. It’s used extensively in commercial applications like restaurant kitchens and cafeterias due to its great qualities. It’s easily cleaned, almost impossible to stain, indifferent to water and spills and also hygienic. Some are of the opinion that it can look too industrial but it really depends on how it’s designed into the rest of the kitchen. Stainless steel countertops don’t have to make your kitchen look like a science lab when combined with the right design elements. Grades of Stainless Steel So what exactly is stainless steel? To answer that let’s first talk a little bit about metals and their properties. Most metals are not used in their pure state but rather they're combined with other metals and elements to enhance their properties. The end result of this combination is called an “alloy”. For example, basic steel is an iron alloy, with carbon as the major alloying element. Stainless steel is formed by adding chromium and nickel to carbon steel. These elements give the material its desirable qualities. Stainless steel doesn’t ‘rust’ because it’s protected by the chromium. The chromium combines with the oxygen in the air to form chromium oxides that form a surface protection on the steel. It even has self-healing characteristics such that new oxides form where scratches occur, continuing to protect the metal. The appearance of ‘rust’ on stainless steel is typically caused by the corrosion of small deposits of carbon steel embedded into the surface. This is sometimes the result of using steel wool to clean stainless steel. Small bits of the steel wool remain on the stainless steel surface and the iron in the steel wool rusts. These stains can usually be removed. The different alloys of stainless steel are classified into various groups. You may see or hear reference to “300 series” or “400 series” stainless steel. These ‘series’ define stainless steels that have certain combinations and percentages of alloying elements. Within these series are specific grades of stainless steel such as ‘304’ or ‘316’ and ‘410’ and ‘430’. A commonly used and good grade of stainless steel is 304, which has good corrosion resistance and aesthetic qualities. The point of this discussion is not to make you into a metallurgist but to give you some background should you decide to investigate stainless steel countertops further. When you speak with a fabricator, ask them what grade of steel they use and why they use that particular type. They should be able to provide you with an educated answer. Surface Finish The surface finish of stainless steel is classified by a numbering system and indicates the amount of polish and resulting reflectivity. The numbering system ranges from 0 to 8 with the higher numbers representing higher polishes and reflectivity. For example, #3 and #4 finishes have a satiny appearance with moderate reflectivity that’s typical of what’s seen on some stainless steel appliances. Balancing the spectrum are finish grades 7 and 8 that are highly polished and offer significant reflectivity. Highly polished surfaces will show scuffs and fingerprints and will also reflect a lot of light. If you want to minimize fingerprints and scratches, a #4 finish is a good choice. Thickness of Metal Just like the surface finish, there’s a standardized system for the thickness of the metal. The thickness of stainless steel and other metals that are manufactured in sheets is represented by their “gauge”. Each gauge number represents a certain standard thickness in fractions of an inch. The larger the gauge number, the thinner the material. It's counter-intuitive but that's how the system works. Most fabricators use either 14 or 16 gauge material on their countertops which is 0.0781” and 0.0625” thick respectively. Put another way, that’s about 5/64” and 1/16” thick. Keep in mind that the thinner the material, the more susceptible it will be to dents. Copper is a material that’s been used for centuries and has proven it’s mettle (couldn’t resist the pun) under all sorts of trying conditions. The most common application of copper aside from cooking utensils and tableware is probably roofing. It’s been used on domes and other prominent structures for years and continues to be a durable roofing choice, albeit somewhat expensive. Over time copper develops a protective green oxidation layer unless it’s polished or maintained with a sealer. As a countertop material, copper has a warm appeal that evokes a bygone age while at the same time adding a classic look. Unlike stainless steel, copper will develop a reddish-brown patina as it ages. You can maintain a uniform color if you apply a wax or sealer which some fabricators apply during manufacture. Sealers however can be scratched by knives and other sharp implements negating the sealing benefits so keep this in mind if you want to maintain that uniform look. The aging characteristic of copper also allows for some creativity. It can be treated using heat to produce some very interesting hues and variability in its color, from reds and orange to blues and purple. You can somtimes see this effect on copper-bottomed pots after they've been exposed to heat. Copper’s relative softness also allows it to be hammered to produce an interesting pebbled effect. Like stainless steel, copper countertops are made using sheets of copper that are laid over a backing material. It’s a softer metal so remember that it can be dented if struck hard enough. Copper will scratch so keep this in mind when deciding on how you’re going to use your countertop. Scratches are not the end of the world however and they can be removed with either some Scotchbrite™ or sandpaper, depending on the severity of the scratches. If you really want to be different from the Joneses, tell them you have zinc countertops. If your familiarity with zinc is limited to sunblock and lozenges that fight the common cold, you’re in for a surprise. Whether you know it or not, zinc has many uses and countertops are one of them. Zinc is a metal and is the 23rd most abundant element in the earth. Zinc has a whitish to silvery-gray appearance when “new” but develops a darkened blue-gray patina over time as it oxidizes. If you prefer to keep the fresher look you can apply a beeswax coating periodically. Zinc countertops are made like other metal countertops, from sheets of zinc material formed over a wood or other substrate backing. Zinc is also a safe material and it’s actually essential for life, being an important element in the proper function of the human body. Zinc is a relatively soft material and has a much lower melting point than copper or stainless steel. It will scratch and show knife marks and although it won’t melt, it might be susceptible to distortion if very hot items are placed on it. Scratches can be polished out but deep knife cuts might be more difficult to remove depending how deep they are so you’ll want to avoid cutting and chopping on a zinc countertop. Zinc can be welded and the good thing about that is that you can incorporate an integral zinc sink if you so desire. The sink is welded to the countertop and the seams ground flush for a seamless transition from countertop to sink. Pewter is a soft metal that’s silvery in color but ages to a duller gray over time. Pewter’s not a pure metal like zinc or copper but rather an alloy which is a combination of different metals. Pewter is mostly tin, roughly 85 to 95 percent, with a small amount of copper or other metals like bismuth or antimony. Some alloys of pewter contain lead but aren’t used for contact with food. Because it’s a relatively soft metal pewter will tend to show dents if it’s struck hard enough. Pewter actually has a beautiful look and offers a nice alternative to the slightly more clinical look of stainless steel. Pewter’s silvery color is muted somewhat in that it’s not bright like chrome. Rather, it has a softer, more matte appearance. It’s softness also has an upside in that the metal is easily shaped and stamped, allowing interesting and artistic designs to be incorporated into the surface. It’s a more traditional look but might be an interesting focal point or a different style choice in an eclectic kitchen. Pewter countertops aren’t something you’ll find at the everyday home center because they are a bit unique. However like other metal countertops, a local kitchen design firm or even a specialty metal fabricator may be a good starting point if you’re thinking of opting for this type of countertop. If you can’t find any in your area check out the resources list below. Where to Find Metal Countertops There are a number of companies and manufacturers of kitchen products that produce metal countertops. The first place to try is right in your local area. Check with local countertop fabricators or kitchen design specialists to see if there are any local makers. If there aren't any, check out the fabricators listed below. If you’re going to deal with a manufacturer outside your local area, it may make sense to obtain quotes from several of them to compare price points. From there, determine who you’re comfortable with based on their product portfolio, customer service and delivery time. Metal Countertop Fabricators Here's a list of metal countertop makers to help you out in your search for sources. They all produce the countertops in their facility and then ship them to your home.
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