The countertop is your most important workplace in the kitchen. All your preparatory work happens here, and this is also often the space where you store frequently used items of cutlery, grocery and so on. Kitchen countertops are generally made of marble, but those in metals or alloys have become popular in recent times. Such counter tops, which were originally found in restaurants or the hospitality industry have now made their foray into residential kitchens as well. Brass is a commonly used material of this type. Other metals used include Zinc and Copper. Metal or alloy based countertops behave differently from those in marble or wood, and here is some information that can come in handy when you want to install kitchen counter tops.

How brass countertops are constructed

Brass countertops can be made using different techniques. One popular technique is laminating sheet brass to a wood substrate to form the countertops. Unique forming methods are employed for the edge profiles, and the countertop sections are bolted together to create a full kitchen countertop. As with other materials like wood, laminate, or stone, kitchen workplaces made of brass too come with seams. However, the unique patina on the brass are able to draw more attention than the seams, making them aesthetically pleasing. Once the countertop sections are built, they are set and aligned in the workshop of the vendor. This allows for straight setting and for the entire assembly to match the specifications provided by you. Some vendors have an approval process in place at this stage. Once you give them a ‘go ahead’ with design and piece, the vendors disassembles the sections, wraps them in good packaging material, and places them in a box or wooden crate for shipping. Upon arrival, the countertop unpacks easily and gets re-assembled in your kitchen, by the vendors.

Benefits of using a brass countertop

Kitchen workplaces made from brass have many benefits. This material is an alloy made from two naturally occurring metals – Zinc and Copper. Both these elements have natural antimicrobial properties, which can also be present in the alloy. Brass is hard, durable, long lasting, and also develops a natural patina. Hence it looks unique on countertops, and stays for a long time in residential kitchens, commercial bars, or rarely used bar tops. They also work well in exterior locations, and get oxidized to develop a naturally weathered look.

Choice of edges for the worktop

The profile of a countertop (http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Granite-Countertop) is decided by the space availability, the cabinetry, and other needs. From simple rectangle to alphabet shapes, or those with unique accents, it is possible to create any profile on brass countertops. This is possible when you custom build your kitchen worktop to fit the exact dimensions and size. In case you are unsure about which profile to choose, you can always take the help of a designer or a vendor, who can offer solutions that work best for you. In fact, a completely new profile can be built from scratch based on your preferences, and a prototype built to show you how it works in your kitchen.

Appearance

The surface and patina of brass tend to change with use and over time. It is difficult to control how the material behaves or appears once installed. But this feature is also what makes brass worktops so unique. Those used in residential kitchens usually develop spots from handprints or liquid, and cluster together to form a mottled appearance. This process happens faster in commercial kitchen or bars as the usage is higher and quicker in such settings.

Matte finishes are often recommended on counter tops made from brass. This allows the material to react quickly, and naturally, based on the use. Marks begin to show right from installation, which can be cleaned. Once the use and cleaning happens on a regular basis, the local weather starts to age the brass. Other substances such as acidic liquids or fluids also can leave marks on the surface. Areas with heavy use tend to display a golden sheen, while the less used spaces reflect a brown color.

Prices

The price of a brass counter top is determined by various factors – the sink type, the number of sections, the type of edge detail, the profile, workmanship required, and so on. However, it is possible to get estimates from vendors using quick sketches or reference images.

Kitchen countertops made from brass have a natural beauty that enhance the appeal of your food prep area. So when choosing them, it becomes beneficial to know the above listed details about their design, making, and behavior.