This is a popular
choice for indoor and outdoor counters because glazed tiles
are easy to wipe clean. Take a drawing of your countertop
to a tile dealer and choose an ensemble that includes field
(regular) tiles as well as all the special pieces you will
need to cover edges and corners. See pages 132-135 for
installation instructions.
STONE SLAB
A smooth slab of stone, typically 3 inches thick,
can simply be laid on top of the counter. In most cases,
you will want to hire a mason or a stone yard to cut the
slabs to fit. Popular choices include bluestone and limestone.
DECORATIVE CONCRETE
Once thought of as irredeemably dull
and gray, concrete now offers exciting decorating possibilities.
It can be imbued with color while it is wet or acid-stained
after it has cured. A concrete top may have a rough surface,
especially at the edges, or it can be ground smooth as
polished marble. Many contractors who specialize in concrete
counters
are artisans who can create a one-of-a-kind top for you.
If you have basic masonry skills and are ambitious, you
may want to try it yourself. See pages 136-139 for techniques.
BRICK AND FLAGSTONE
These may seem unlikely choices for
a working surface, since they are not smooth and tend to
be porous. However, many types of brick and some flagstones
(especially granites and slates) have a hard finish that
can be kept clean. An application of acrylic sealer every
year or so can make even common brick or Tough limestone
fairly easy to clean. (Sandstone is simply not a good option.)
Brick and flagstone will never be as easy to maintain as
other countertop options, but they may be the right design
choice in rustic settings.
