Mar 16, 2016
Are your countertops dating the rest of your kitchen? Has laminate left you feeling lamented? It might be time to give your kitchen a much-needed facelift with new countertops! The options are limitless and can take your kitchen from drab to dramatic in hours. Don’t settle for boring, obsolete countertops anymore. With even a small budget you can really make a big difference in your kitchen.
Deciding on which type of countertop you want for your kitchen can be difficult because there are so many choices. From color to material to finish, there are many decisions to be made. Here is a rundown of the most common countertop materials to get you started:
• Granite- Watch any episode of House Hunters and you will find that the majority of buyers are looking for granite countertops. This is currently the most popular countertop material, and for good reason. Not only is granite extremely durable, it is also available in an infinite variety of colors from blacks and whites to greens and corals. If you are looking for character and variety, granite is a good choice as well, as no two pieces are ever the same. Depending on the color chosen, granite can be a cost-effective option. For example, popular colors such as Uba Tuba (a dark green) can be purchased and installed for around $50 per square foot.
• Slate- The principle benefit of slate is that it is non-porous and essentially maintenance-free. That is appealing to many buyers, particularly since other kitchen surfaces can require a great deal of care and maintenance. A drawback, however, is that slate is relatively soft and can scratch easily, although scratches can often be buffed out with steel wool. Also, slate generally comes in five colors: green, red, gray, purple, and black. Many buyers are turned off by the lack of variety in color. Slate is also comparable in price to granite, although some choices can run in upwards of $200 per square foot.
• Marble- Often considered reserved for very high-end homes, marble brings a very refined, sophisticated look to a kitchen. However, it does have its drawbacks. For one, marble scratches relatively easily. It is also significantly porous, which means it can stain. You won’t want to leave spilled red wine on marble for very long without risking a permanent stain. Price is somewhat comparable to most granite, although marble can run as much as $225 per square foot. The look that is achieved with marble, however, is classic and luxurious.
• Quartz- Quartz is rapidly taking over the kitchen design scene as the go – to kitchen countertop for a modern, current appeal. There are several brands including Cambria, Zodiaq, and Silestone. Silestone is extremely resilient to stains, scratches, and impact. In fact, this material is completely non-porous, making it almost impossible to stain. It comes in a very wide variety of textures and over 60 colors. The possibilities are endless with this material. Also, Silestone is the only brand of quartz countertop that offers a bacteriostatic formula that keeps your kitchen surfaces clean and healthy! Most brands of quartz, including Silestone, average approximately $50-$100 per square foot.
• Corian- This is a man-made material composed of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate. This is the original solid surface material and has been used in kitchens and baths for decades. Corian countertops are relatively inexpensive compared to natural stone products, ranging from $45-$68 per square foot. An added benefit of Corian is that it never requires sealing, although it could suffer damage if exposed to high heat.
• Concrete- Many homeowners are opting for a more industrial feel in their kitchens. Concrete countertops provide a very modern, updated look with many added benefits to natural stone or solid surface counters. Importantly, concrete can come in an infinite amount of color choices. Anything you can dream up can be done in concrete. Concrete can also be cast in any shape and is also heat and stain resistant when sealed properly. Add those benefits to an average cost of $65-$135 per square foot and it is easy to see why concrete is gaining popularity rapidly.
Wood• Butcher Block- Adding a dimension of wood into a kitchen can help to create a vintage, more rustic feel. Many homeowners opt to add depth to counter space by combining wood with other surfaces such as granite or quartz. Serious chefs prefer butcher block countertops, as they do not dull knives and are scratch resistant. No need for a cutting board here. While butcher block is not heat-resistant, it can be repaired much easier than granite in the case of heat damage. Another drawback of butcher block is the fact that it is quite porous, so stains and smells can penetrate quickly. Price for butcher block is right in line with many of the other products at about $75-$150 per square foot.
There are definitely a multitude of choices when it comes to updating your kitchen countertops. Several factors should play into your decision including budget, the style you want to achieve, how serious of a cook you are, and how much wear and tear your kitchen will take. The certified kitchen designers at Kitchen Kraft are an excellent resource for you when making this decision and can help you to decide which material will be the perfect fit for your kitchen.
We look forward to working with you to bring your kitchen to life with a new countertop and more!
Call us today at (614) 449-7200.
Schedule a complimentary consultation at our luxury remodeling showroom with one of our award-winning designers.
