Countertop options

[irish_trip_mom]

Looking for some help....we are putting in cabinets/bar in our basement. We are trying to keep budget friendly, but also want it to be nice, appealing for resale. The cabinets we chose are a darker maple. I would love to do granite for the tops, but I also want to try to do this as economical as possible. We do have granite in our kitchen, and I love it.

Just looking for some alternatives, ideas. It's not a huge area of granite, so I was wondering if anyone knew about possible cheaper granite alternatives, or another countertop that might be appealing.

Thanks!

 

[kldmom2000]

What about the other solid-surfaces? There's silestone, cambria, corian, etc....

 

[scard192]

I have Staron solid surface counter tops in my kitchen, I'm very happy with them.

 

[dawson5]

You could do granite tiles instead of a slab--my mother did this and it looks nice. She has a small, really really small kitchen.

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/7039/img2219h.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7994/img2218k.jpg

(pictures are huge, imageshack changed my options for the sizes, just linking them instead.)

If it's not a huge area, I would go and see if they have some scrap pieces that might fit.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I would do laminate. Especially for a basement bar. We put a new laminate counter in our old house when we redid the kitchen. That was a 'first time homebuyer' kind of house, small, in a blue collar area. Granite would have been overkill. Our kitchen designer suggested the color and I'm telling you...from the living room it DID look like granite.

If you live in a high COL area, and basement bars with granite are EXPECTED...then you might need to do that. I'd check with a realtor first if you're unsure. But if it's not something that is standard, don't pay for granite. You will NOT get a return on your money for that.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

What about the other solid-surfaces? There's silestone, cambria, corian, etc....

The quartz countertops like Cambria are usually more expensive than granite. I'm finishing up a major kitchen remodel right now. I'd originally wanted quartz countertops, but was able to get granite for 1/3 less expensive than quartz.

OP, for the best prices on granite, work directly with a company that constructs the countertops, not a middleman like a big box store, a kitchen design, or a cabinet store. You will get much better prices. And don't be afraid to ask for a better price.

 

[puffkin]

I watch a lot of the HGTV shows and it seems like all the experts recommend granite for the kitchens. However, I have seen many, many shows where they say homeowners have over improved by putting granite in the basements It's a tough call, but at a minimum I think you need some type of solid surface since you have granite in the kitchen.

If it is a small area, I would try the granite remnant route first. I have friends who did this for a fairly large kitchen and they got a fantastic deal. They weren't horribly picky about color so they were able to find a remnant they liked. The granite itself was a nominal cost...they bulk of what they paid was the installation. They saved thousands!

 

[TnTWalter]

out that looks great.

Formica 180x

http://formica180fx.com/

I'm on the kitchen remodeling board over at gardenweb and many are using that.

I just put in granite and LOVE it for sure, but it's $$$. Had this been out when I ordered mine...well I could have gone to Disney. Doh! LOL.

Trish

 

[tommya60]

I'd put in wood countertops. We have them in two bathrooms, DH built them for me about 10 years ago. They have never been refinished, look wonderful and have withstood the abuse of a teenage girl. He sealed them with several coats of a marine grade polyurathane. I love them, they are very budget friendly, and would look great on a bar. I'd do maple to match the cabinets.

 

[dawson5]

I'd put in wood countertops. We have them in two bathrooms, DH built them for me about 10 years ago. They have never been refinished, look wonderful and have withstood the abuse of a teenage girl. He sealed them with several coats of a marine grade polyurathane. I love them, they are very budget friendly, and would look great on a bar. I'd do maple to match the cabinets.

I have a friend that did this in his basement. He took it up a few steps and had those coasters you get at the bar (grolsch, heineken, guinness, etc.) and put them on before polyurethaning it. Turned out great.