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Best Countertops - Granite CountersThe days of lime green or bright orange formica counters (and don't forget the green shag carpet!) are long over. In the old days, butcher block counter and tile countertops were pretty much all you had before the days of formica. In the last decade or two, though, a myriad of countertop options have emerged, from both manmade materials (Corian) and natural materials (marble counters, granite, concrete). Read below for reviews and comparisons of the different countertop options, along with some cost estimates and tips and suggestions.
Choosing a countertop materialWhat is the best countertop material? There is no one answer to that question. When choosing a countertop material, there are usually a few key criteria in making the selection. The first is style or look, and the second is normally cost. Some people know they want granite, some people know they can only spend $5K and want to find the least expensive counter material in their price range. Let's start by looking at the different counter materials and learn a little about them.
GRANITE: this is one of the most tough rocks around - think of El Capitan in Yosemite! It can stand up to hot plates and pots and pans, and does not easily chip, scratch, or crack. With proper care, it can literally last your lifetime and well beyond. Granite countertops are the most popular, and expensive, choices on the market these days. They are the mark of a high-end kitchen, and instantly add elegance and appeal to your home. Granite comes in a variety of colors and shades (all natural), but it is expensive, especially if you choose specially bevelled edges. Cost depends on the thickness of the slab, the finish, and the edging. Keep in mind that most granite counters come in pieces, or slabs, and there will be small seams between the slabs once installed. Caring for Granite - Granite also requires some care, like cleaning and sealing. Not as soft and porous as marble, granite can still be stained if not protected, and when it comes to resealing granite, plan on doing it every three years. How do you clean a granite counter? Look for special stone and granite cleaning solutions at your market, or do a search online. Do not use scouring pads or abrasives on granite, as it can leave scratches. Check out StoneTechPro.com for granite cleaning and sealing products. How much do granite counter tops cost? Expect to pay $70-$90 per square foot for granite counters (installed). You can save a substantial sum of money by going with granite tiles, which will cost closer to $20 per square foot, but of course the trade off is the dreaded grout lines between all the tiles.
Marble countertops are another choice if you are going for solid natural stone surfaces, but marble is not as rugged as granite and can more easily be stained or damaged, and it is more expensive. Professional sealing (and resealing) is a must for marble, whether in kitchens or bathrooms. Chemicals found in hair products, cleaning products, and elsewhere can pit and mar its delicate surface, so if you are spending the money to get marble counters installed, spend the additional money to protect them. Soapstone was historically used in both counters and sinks, and still is an option for your interior kitchen design. It requires maintenance with mineral oil and can change colors over time, but if it is the style you like, look into it. Finally, in the solid counter category, concrete believe it or not is becoming more and more common. One nice thing about concrete counters is that they can be cast in any shape, right there in your kitchen, with no seams or grout. They are tough enough to stand up to heat, scratches, and chips, and can be custom colored in many shades. Unfortunately, concrete for countertops can't just be poured out of a bag from the lumber yard for $100 - expect to pay 1/2-2/3 of the cost of granite. Tiled CountertopsTile is another popular, less expensive option for counters in either the kitchen or bathroom. Ceramic tiles come in all kinds of patterns, colors, and sizes, as does the grout. Stone tiles are another option, whether marble or granite. Installation can be a bit more for tile counters because of the manual labor involved in cutting and placing every individual tile on the counters and backsplash, but the material cost is much less than marble or granite slabs, saving you significant money in the long run.Engineered Stone CountertopsAnother option is engineered stone counters. Engineered stone products are based upon natural stone materials like quartz, but are then combined with other materials to make solid counter pieces. This family includes products like duPont Zodiaq, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone. Zodiaq (duPont also makes Corian) is described as "DuPont Zodiaq® is 93% pure quartz crystal, which gives Zodiaq® a natural depth and radiance without the imperfections common in unimproved stone. And because quartz is one of nature’s strongest materials, Zodiaq® is also incredibly durable and resists both heat and scratches. Custom-fit to your exact specifications and virtually maintenance free." It doesn't require sealants like marble or granite, and it stands up well to scratches and chips. And unlike granite, it comes with a ten year warranty. They offer a huge variety of colors, from whites and beiges to greens, blues, reds, grays, and blacks.Solid Surface Counter topsSolid surface countertops are things like Corian, Swanstone, or Avonite. These counters are custom made and fit for your kitchen so you get a groutless, seamless look, in a variety of colors and styles. In my opinion, Corian just doesn't look as nice as true natural stones, but some people love it. Is granite better than Corian? Corian is durable, allowing scratches to be sanded out, but it cannot stand up to heat the way granite can (it claims to be safe up to 200 degrees, but they still recommend using a trivet for hot pans). How much does Corian cost? Less expensive that granite, it is still considerable more than tile to have made and installed in a kitchen or bathroom. Corian comes in over 100 colors, is nonporous so stains and spills wipe right off. Corian can be cut, routed, drilled, sculpted, bent, or worked like a fine wood. Also, Corian does not require special sealants (remember, it is non-porous!).Old-style kitchen counters came in the laminate category - Nevamar, Formica, etc. These man-made synthetic products have a plastic base, and they still look and feel like it. Their main appeal is cost (low), but the look still says low-end, and the maintenance can be a big hassle, as scratches, knicks, and chips cannot easily be repaired or hidden. Most people lean towards granite or marble tile before they will consider laminate counter tops. Recycled Glass and Porcelain CountertopsIf you are looking for something a little different, check out what they are doing at EnviroGLAS. They combine epoxy resin with recycled glass and porcelain, the end result being a beautiful colored countertop product. They are environmentally friendly, using discarded bottles, mirrors, and windows for glass, and toilets, tubs, and sinks as sources of their porcelain chips. Their EnviroSLAB countertops are tough too, resisting stains and not requiring sealing like other porous stone materials. Very cool.Kitchen Counter QuotesFor more information on kitchen remodels, cost of kitchen counters, cost estimates for granite countertops or Corian, check out e-counters.com. They have a built in quick estimator for cost on counter jobs using Avanza or SileStone. They have a nice Countertops 101 section with news and information on the various options on counter material and installations, along with comparison charts on scratch and stain resistance, burn resistance, seamless appearance, non-porosity, warranty, and installation fees.
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