Here is the complete buying guide on choosing Cabinets And Countertops For Your Garage. With a rapid shift towards digitization, 1 in 4 Americans are working remotely. Among numerous adjustments to create home offices, we have also seen an increase in requests from homeowners in Rancho Santa Fe regarding countertop installation in their garage.
Whether you were already working out of your garage or have recently made the switch – or you just want a workbench to show off your coin collection (because why not) – a countertop can be a useful addition to your garage.
This one simple renovation will make your work projects and do-it-yourself activities far easier. But with so many material options, how do you know which one is perfect for your needs? In this post, our Garage Excell experts are going to describe the different countertop materials available for your Rancho Santa Fe garage and how to pick the best one.
What’s the Best Material for A Workbench Countertop in Your Rancho Santa Fe Garage?
When picking out the countertop material, you need to think about a few things such as:
- The work you will be doing (woodworking, auto maintenance, jewelry making, office work, etc.)
- How often you’ll be working
- The equipment you’ll be using (your computer or heavy woodworking tools, for example)
- Will the countertop get wet?
- Will you need to move the workbench periodically?
- Your budget
While each situation is unique, we have found that a handful of materials make for exceptional and long-lasting countertops. Keep in mind that your countertop needs to be tough enough that it can take a beating. You and your family will probably use it for power tools or hammering, cutting, and chopping stuff so the material needs to be strong.
Choosing The Right Cabinets And Countertops [Buying Guide]
Rather than buying the first countertop you come across, compare the following choices to pick an option you and your family will enjoy for years to come.
#Ebony Star
Ebony Star is a laminate sheet that holds up very well against a variety of sharp and blunt force impacts from all kinds of tools. It has a slightly textured yet soft surface and polished appearance which means it won’t cause any splinters (like certain types of wood).
Many homeowners in Rancho Sante Fe choose an Ebony Star countertop for their garage workbench because it is resistant to water damage, rust, and corrosion. Even if you end up spilling an entire bottle of wine, just wipe it off and your countertop will be good as new.
#Stainless Steel
Stainless steel countertops in Rancho Sante Fe rank high in almost every aspect – quality, durability, and aesthetics. Whether you’re getting a brand-new workbench countertop installed or buying a new set of hand tools, the smooth surface of a stainless steel counter is a worthy investment.
If you have a metal garage storage system, a steel countertop will compliment it as well. Unlike some materials that don’t allow you to drill and mount storage accessories over them, stainless steel countertops are easy to customize and can hold onto a wide variety of tools and objects.
#Oak Butcher Block
Oak is one of the toughest woods for constructing countertops and it doesn’t scar as easily as, say, pinewood. Depending on the retailer you buy it from, it can be a bit expensive.
But unlike the cheaper pinewood, you won’t need to add any toppers to oak wood. A garage storage system with a layered oak butcher block countertop is a popular option among Rancho Santa Fe residents. The reason why we love butcher blocks is that they last for decades with just a little maintenance.
Do note that wood is susceptible to stains, mold, and germs, and might even warp when exposed to moisture. So, if you’re investing in a butcher block countertop, make sure your garage wall cabinets company seals it immediately following the installation and on a month-to-month basis afterward.
If this seems like a lot of work, consider choosing stainless steel, ceramic tile, quartz, or any other material mentioned in this list.
#Maple Butcher Block
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a tougher hardwood than maple for furniture making. Its sturdiness has made it the go-to material for the construction of workbenches, sports gear, heavy-duty equipment, and more.
Like oak butcher blocks, these are also reliable and long-lasting – if you give it a little TLC now and then and your garage has an air-conditioning system. We recommend having a good ventilation system in your Rancho Santa Fe garage if you’re considering a maple (or any wood) countertop as it will prevent warping.
Remember that some wood species change color over time; your maple countertop will probably darken as the year’s pass. On a feel-good note, this is a great eco-friendly option if you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint. Maple countertops are also cheaper than stainless steel, quartz, or marble ones.
The same sealing principle that applies for oak butcher blocks goes for this one too. But keep in mind that you should never use sealed wood countertops as a cutting surface, so if you’re planning to use it for cooking, baking, floral arranging, or something like that, either go with a solid surface countertop or an unsealed wooden one.
But even unsealed butcher blocks need to be conditioned routinely.
#MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
MDF is very similar to particleboard as it’s also made up of a combination of bits and fibers, but it is much stronger than the latter.
And unlike wood, MDF doesn’t contract or expand when exposed to changing levels of heat and humidity in Rancho Santa Fe. Also, with wooden butcher block countertops, you must have a climate-controlled garage otherwise it will crack or shrink over time. MDF doesn’t have this issue.
It is engineered wood made from recycled wood fibers and resin. It is dried and pressed to make stable, dense sheets. Thanks to this process, MDF garage storage cabinet countertops don’t crack/warp like wood.
Plus, MDF is made from super small particles so it doesn’t have visible grain patterns, which means a smoother finish on your countertop. If you have a limited budget but don’t want to compromise on the quality, a MDF garage storage countertop is a salient option.
Top Quality Custom Garage Wall Cabinets & Countertops In Rancho Santa Fe
Now that you know about the best potential materials for your custom garage cabinet countertop, you’ll hopefully find it easier to buy the right product. In addition to the quality of materials, you also want to pay attention to the garage wall cabinets company you choose to work with for your countertop installation.
At Garage Excell, we specialize in designing and installing custom workbenches and countertops. When paired with our handmade garage storage cabinets and shelving units, our workbenches offer a great space to organize your tools and work on your projects in peace.
We design our workbenches and countertops with 3 elements in mind: functionality, practicality, and high-performance. Your countertop can be tailored to include:
- Sinks
- Tool trays
- Electrical outlets
- Roll-out drawers
- And much more
Whether you want to use your garage to tinker with luxury cars or create shell necklaces – your countertop will be designed and optimized to meet your unique needs. Our team will work with you to discover your garage storage and organization needs, and help you in accessorizing, styling, and creating ergonomic spaces that eliminate clutter and maximize storage.
Want to book a complimentary custom garage cabinets and countertop design consultation? Give us a call at 877-573-6637 or drop us a message here.