Why Glass Countertops Are The Perfect Choice For Your Next Renovation

The end goal of any home renovation is an improved look, which requires a combination of function, aesthetics, and personal taste. This trinity of remodeling requirements relies on picking the best materials for every room and surface, from your floors to the countertops. While there are different types of countertops you should know before your kitchen remodel, how about going unconventional and picking a glass one? Now before you raise those eyebrows, you should know that glass countertops are becoming more popular as a unique option for redesigning spaces. Benefits such as heat and scratch-resistance, customization ease, and hardness make these countertops versatile and durable options. Additionally, they are non-porous, hydrophobic, and easy to clean, giving them points for low maintenance.

Renovating your home usually requires a lot of imagination. Having a versatile material that you can pair with whatever idea you think of is a huge plus. Glass countertops show their worth here as they can be customized into any color, shape, size, or texture. You're practically spoilt for choice and can renovate your home with a simple, streamlined finish or a unique, bespoke touch. This customizable feature also means that glass countertops are compatible with indoor (kitchen) and outdoor (patios, bars) renovation projects. Also, if you want to design your home with sustainable materials, glass countertops are eco-friendly additions. Solid glass countertops can easily be recycled into other materials or back to countertops, while recycled glass countertops are already being reused.

In addition to their versatility, glass countertops boast impressive durability as much as any other stone countertop. Shocker, right? Despite the common perception that glass is fragile, it scores 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it harder than marble, travertine, and limestone. This hardness level means these countertops are typically resistant to scratches. Also, most manufacturers add anti-scratch coating to glass countertops so you don't have to worry. But just like every other countertop, you should still use a cutting board. Glass countertops are quite heat-resistant, too, and wouldn't warp or shrink from placing hot pots directly on them. However, it's still best to use trivets to protect your countertop.

Another reason you'd love these countertops is the low maintenance required. Unlike wood and some natural stone options, glass countertops are very stain-resistant. This is because they lack the porosity of these materials and won't absorb residues, colors, or oils. They might smudge easier, but that's nothing a quick wipe can't fix. Their non-porosity also makes them resistant to hard water etches. They can also prevent bacteria and mold buildup because they don't absorb liquids or have holes to trap these microorganisms, ensuring a more hygienic surface for your home. Cleaning these types of countertops is also very easy. Just clean daily with a microfiber cloth and water mixed with a multipurpose or glass-cleaning product. This works for even textured glass, as microfiber is lint-free and won't snag on any rough spots.

Styling your home to suit your taste and comfort is another goal of a successful home renovation, and different glass countertop designs can help. For starters, you can choose between tinted or back-painted glass for your countertops. Tinted countertops are made from glass with a full-color hue in any color of your choice, but back-painted options only have the bottom of the glass surface painted. The tinted option allows you to hide the content of the cabinets below, while the bolder back-painted design offers more depth and visual appeal. Another design is the LED-illuminated look, which combines shape and lighting to create whatever ambiance your mood desires. This concept brings a modern, futuristic vibe to your space.

Other designs include a wraparound island or extended glass countertop where the glass continues from the horizontal surface down the sides of the counter. This gives it a waterfall-edge appearance. You can also go bold by opting for artistic glass countertops embedded with multicolored patterns and motifs. It adds a personal touch to the area and gives your home that "wow" factor when guests walk in. Recycled glass countertops use repurposed glass bound with either cement or resin to create a strong and beautiful design. However, you will need to seal a recycled glass surface bound with cement, as cement is very porous and could stain. Finally, you can opt for textured glass countertops with their varying designs and patterns.