Introduction to kitchen materials
Deciding upon the materials while designing or making a change in a kitchen is especially vital because it’s the inevitable hub of any household where meals are prepared and family memories are made. Consequently, it’s important to choose materials that meet both of those criteria. Kitchen materials in China offer a wide range of choices with varying characteristics and the pros and cons of each.
The kitchen is a high-traffic, high-impact room of your home. From counters and cabinets to floors and splashbacks, different materials have to be robust and functional enough to withstand the everyday bustle yet stylish and appropriate for your interior. At the same time, in the kitchen materials melee, an unfathomable number of choices are available. How to decide which one is the right kitchen for your home in China? This extensive guidance will help you systematically consider related factors, popular materials, and specific suggestions for choosing the right kitchen material.
Factors to consider when choosing kitchen materials
There are always a number of factors to consider when you’re going to choose your kitchen materials. It is all about how your lifestyle
It is all about what you like when it comes to design.
It is all about budget. You are going to make your kitchen after considering these factors.
Durability: The kitchen is a high-traffic area that has lots of spills, heats up with cooking and is subjected to daily wear and tear. The materials you use should be able to handle this, so choose durable materials. Look for and ask about materials that are scratch, stain and moisture resistant.
Maintenance: Some materials require daily or weekly sealing or polishing, while others are more low-maintenance. Ask yourself whether you’d be willing to maintain the materials, and whether you have the ability to do so.
Aesthetic Appeal: It’s where form and function meet, and the surfaces you select must be in keeping with the design language of your home, unifying the appearance of the space.
Budget: Kitchen products can vary widely in price point. Setting a realistic budget ahead of time will help you narrow your choices, weighing your needs and wants against the costs. A lot of professionals say that the kitchen, especially your kitchen, is the heart of the home.
Environmental Impacts: In the age of the environment, it is nice to be thinking of the footprint of the materials you choose and to select those that are sustainable and environmentally friendly wherever possible.
Using all of these considerations, you should be able to make a sensible decision about materials, and choose something with the kind of properties you need and appreciate.
Popular kitchen materials in China
There are as many kinds of kitchen materials in China, each with diverse features and cultural connotations.
Natural Stone:
Granito: Granite, the ultra-durable building material used also for high-end countertops and flooring, courtesy of the Chinese kitchen.
Marble: For its luxurious look, marble is often used for countertops, backsplashes, and flooring.
Soapstone: Although it’s veined and has a matte finish, it has a more rustic ambience than marble, and is also durable. It’s impervious to heat and doesn’t stain easily.
Engineered Stone:
Quartz: Made from pulverised natural quartz and resins, quartz countertops are highly durable, low-maintenance and come in the largest palette of colours and patterns.
Solid Surface: Composed of acrylic or polyester resins and constructed in a seamless manner, the material is non-porous, not prone to absorb stains, and relatively easy to keep clean. It is a common choice for countertops and sinks.
Wood:
Bamboo – it’s green, it’s eco-friendly, it’s coming to a Chinese kitchen near you as it fills in for the original material for flooring, cabinetry and countertops.
Teak: Known for its lasting power and natural resistance to moisture and pests, teak is often used for outdoor kitchens and cabinetry.
Ceramics and Tiles:
Porcelain tiles: porcelain tiles are known for its solidity and water resistance, it is a practical go-to choice for kitchen floor and backsplash.
Ceramic Tiles: They come in a variety of colours, patterns and textures, providing one of the most enduring looks one can get for kitchen floors, walls and countertops.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is a very durable material, easy to maintain and highly resistant to heat and humidity. It is now commonly used for dishes, cooking ranges, countertops and backsplashes in Chinese kitchens.
Laminates: May be less expensive and require less upkeep than other types of finishes, and are available in a range of patterns and hues for both counter and cabinetry.
These are but a handful of the choices available in China, each with a distinctive look, a different degree of sturdiness and a varying degree of upkeep.
Pros and cons of different kitchen materials
When one chooses kitchen materials, there are pros and cons for every material before one demonstrates kitchen making. Here is an overview of some material used for kitchen making and their advantages and disadvantages.
Natural Stone (Granite, Marble, Soapstone):
Pros: Unique natural patterns, durable, heat-resistant, and long-lasting.
Cons: Porous and susceptible to staining, requires regular sealing, can be costly.
Engineered Stone (Quartz, Solid Surface):
Pros: Non-porous, low-maintenance, durable, and available in a wide range of colors and patterns.
Cons: Expensive, seams possibly visible, not all varieties heat-resistant.
Wood (Bamboo, Teak):
Pros: Warm and natural look, sustainable and eco-friendly (bamboo), durable (teak).
Cons: Susceptible to scratches, dents, and moisture damage, requires regular sealing and maintenance.
Ceramics and Tiles:
Pros: Durable and water-resistant, easy tiding and available in a variety of colours and patterns.
Cons: Grout lines if not kept clean, the floor tiles can crack and chip if not installed properly.
Stainless Steel:
Pros: Hygienic, easy to clean, heat-resistant, and durable.
Cons: Can show fingerprints and scratches, may be noisy, and can be expensive.
Laminates:
Pros: Affordable, low-maintenance, and available in various colors and patterns.
Cons: It could be less durable than some of the alternative options and be more likely to chip or peel off, and it might not be as heat resistant.
Given this insight, you can choose a material based on its benefits and shortcomings while keeping your needs and tastes in mind.
Cost considerations for kitchen materials
Pricing for kitchen materials depends on the type of product, quality, and source. When estimating the budget for your kitchen renovation or new development, take into account all of the cost factors outlined below.
Material – The cost of the raw material. Natural stones such as granite or marble are costlier than laminates or ceramic tiles.
Installation Cost: Installation costs can vary depending on the complexity of the installation – positions requiring additional drilling, bolting, etc, will cost more. Natural stone and tile materials might require specialised installation techniques which drive up the labour costs.
Maintenance and Repair Costs: Some materials may require maintenance to keep them in good shape, such as getting grout sealing or waxing on polished marble floors (which can be costly if you have a lot of floor space). If your home is subject to environmental or climate extremes, you might also need to have your doors and windows replaced regularly. Likewise, you must factor in the cost of repairs and replacements for materials that are likely to be damaged, discolored, or worn down over time.
Resale value: this is not a direct cost factor, but the eventual resale value of your home can be influenced by the chosen kitchen materials. High-end materials such as natural stone or engineered quartz will enhance the perceived value of your home.
Hence, it is better to study the prices quoted by different suppliers and contractors as well as the after-sales and maintenance services over a specified period in China so as to ensure the cost budget is not exceeded. More importantly, caring about kitchen materials is not just about cost; it is about quality and whether you want a kitchen that will last the test of time or one that collapses in the first year.
Conclusion
Choosing the most suitable kitchen material for you and your house in China is an important decision that depends on many factors, such as durability, ease of maintenance, aesthetics, budget, and your likes and dislikes. There is a large variety of materials to choose from, including natural stone, engineered stone, wood or wood veneer, ceramics, stainless steel, laminates, etc.
With all that information, you can make a kitchen that suits both your functional needs and your interior taste, all the while adding value to the home.
Remember this: the kitchen it’s the heart of your house and the place where all your memories will be cooked; your sadness or happiness will start here, so try to get the best you can.