New countertops can be one of the best ways to spruce up your old kitchen. But, the wide array of surface products can quickly make the project overwhelming.
Countertop options:
- Natural Stone: This includes granite, marble and soapstone. It holds up to heat and comes in an array of colors. It is one of the most expensive materials and requires varying amounts of maintenance, depending on the type of sealer. Some sealers last as little as 12 months and allow the stone to absorbs stains, while other sealers can last 15 years or longer and effectively prevent staining of the surface.
- Engineered stone: Quartz is just as costly as granite, but easy to maintain. It has a non-porous surface that takes the heat and resists stains and scratches.
- Solid surfaces: These countertops offer seamless, acrylic faces with seams that are only visible from the underside. A popular brand is Dupont Corian. Scratches can be easily sanded out and is non-porous. Does not take heat well.
- Ceramic tile: Is durable and easy to clean. The grout needs to be sealed regularly for stain protection
- Laminates: Is easy to maintain, inexpensive and the most versatile. Laminate is not scratch or heat resistant, but is stain resistant. Requires no regular maintenance. This is marketed under such trade names as Formica, Wilsonart, and Nevamar.
- Wood: Easy to clean, but maintenance is required. Wood can be damaged by water and stains over time. Be careful when installing over a dishwasher because the moisture could lead to warping.
- Stainless Steel: Heat and stain resistant. Stainless steel is expensive, noisy and may dent.
- Concrete: Heat and scratch resistant and very durable. It is porous and absorbs stains, so it must be sealed regularly.
- Glass: Heat resistant, easy to maintain and has a sleek, contemporary look. However, it may chip at the edges and is not scratch-proof.
Need help deciding? Consider this:
- What are your needs? Just like with any decision, think about your lifestyle and how you intend on using your countertops. Do you have a family with small children to consider? Do you do a lot of cooking and food preparation? The best countertop for the homeowner depends on the needs of the homeowner. Also factor in how long will you be in the house?
- Style: Your kitchen/bath countertops should reflect the style of your kitchen/bath.
- Maintenance: Countertops are either porous or non-porous. Porous surfaces absorb contaminants into the surface and also absorb moisture, thus allowing bacteria to grow. Porous surfaces should be sealed regularly.
- Durability: Check to see if the countertop is scratch or heat resistant. Always use cutting boards and heat pads to avoid permanent damage. The more durable the countertop, the longer it will last.
- Safety: If you have small children you should make sure that edges are rounded to protect from injury.
- Special cleaners: Check to see what cleaning agent your countertop requires. Every surface comes with different restrictions.
- Price: Countertops are either priced by lineal or square foot. Also factor in removal of old countertops, delivery and installation, sink/other cutouts and an unusual layout. Prices vary on a variety of factors including texture, color, pattern, sink type and seams.
- DIY or hire help? While some countertops may be fairly easy to install, others may require the help of a professional. Measurement is an important factor to be considered at the time of order. When you fail to measure the appropriate measurement, then your installation may go wrong.
Tips to keep countertop costs down:
- Homeowners can cut costs by installing smaller, cheaper stone remnants instead of a single slab of stone.
- Save even more by installing laminate countertops that are made to look like granite, marble or other stones.
- Mix up the materials. Consider using laminate on the majority of your counters and a beautiful piece of stone on the kitchen island.