Pros and Cons of different Kitchen Counter tops (budget and durability)

[becca-becca]

I am thinking about replacing our laminate countertops with a different surface (granite, silestone, concrete, soapstone, etc.). We also need to replace our sink and I was looking at granite composite. What do you all think about various materials? Which is most economical (both up front and long-term?) I am not really good at remembering to treat things annually. I also don't know much about concrete. I do like darker materials (brown or black multi-colored granite) not light. Help!

 

[Kathi OD]

I'd be interested in what others have to say also. DH and I are also planning on this project in the near future. He definitely wants to go w/ granite, but I am hoping to redo the whole kitchen in about 5 years (which would involve a different layout), so don't want to put out a huge sum right now for the counters (the ones we have now came with the house and are pink laminate and have faded badly).

 

[Bibbidi]

From what I've heard around here (Ohio), the way to go these days is quartz or other composite material for countertops. Granite is apparently not as in vogue as it was previously. I personally love granite, but if I was doing a kitchen remodel I'd probably go with the quartz. It has the durability of granite, without the need for sealant and without the heat sensitivity of say a corian.

 

[Todd&Copper]

Just noting that you should do all of your research and not just pick what DIY TV or HGTV say is the new trend. My MIL is re-doing her kitchen (well, she has been collecting her ideas for it for over 6 yeears now, suince her oven died - which she still hasn't replaced . . .) and first, she wanted Corian b/c it was the trend. Then, she wanted something else. Then she wanted granite. Now, she is looking at laminate b/c she finally is starting to realize that those home improvement showes are all sponsored by companies that want to promote their products and not necessarily what is best for individual needs and uses. Oh, and she is not much of a cook - if you can throw it in the microwave, she'll make it, or if it takes less than 15 minutes in a skillet - so she doesn't need a gourmet kitchen [although that was what she was originally going for]. Unless you are planning to sell your house soon, get what YOU want, not what gives you the best re-sell value.

My house came with realtively new Corian countertops when I bought it in 2005 and I have never had an issue with heat sensitivity and I put hot pots and pans down on it all of the time. It is a darker, speckled color, but there has been no change/damage to the finish or discoloration or anything.

 

[Laura24]

at options for counter tops. Updating to new appliances has snowballed into new countertops and flooring!! My first place to look was HomeDepot just to see the options since I haven't looked in about 15 years. There is a granite product they sell that is called Stone Mark by Innovative Stone.It is an Anti-stain 15 yr. limited warranty stone product, maintenance free-no sealing required. They use a permashield to protect natural stone. It is exclusive to HD and Home Expo. I've had some experience with a Corian like product used on outdoor table tops. "Nicks, scratches and cuts are inevitable with any high-use product, including Corian®. But because Corian® is solid all the way through, it is easy to renew to its original appearance as described below.
Minor damage, including scratches, general or chemical stains, scorches or burns, and minor impact marks, can be repaired on-site with a light abrasive cleanser and a product such as a Scotch-Brite* pad. For heavier damage, light sanding may be necessary".
And the Silestone with" Microban is virtually maintenance-free. It does not need to be sealed and cleaning is a cinch. Simply wipe the surface with soap and water on a regular basis to maintain its beauty and shine for years to come..
Heat Protection
Silestone is resistant to heat and can withstand moderate temperatures for brief periods of time without being damaged. As with any natural stone, however, certain exposure to heat may cause cracks due to thermal shock. Always use a trivet to place hot items on Silestone. Do not use crock pots or electric skillets while in direct contact with Silestone natural quartz surfaces.
Harsh Chemicals to Avoid
The following will harm Silestone: Drano®, Liquid Plummer®, oven cleaners and floor strippers. Do NOT use these or any other harsh chemicals on your Silestone natural quartz surface.
Sunlight Exposure
Continuous long-term exposure to direct sunlight (UV rays) may result in slight discoloration of Silestone natural quartz surfaces".

This is quoted direct from their websites.

 

[MrsPete]

We put in laminate countertops two years ago, and I wish we'd spent a little more for something like Corian. We already have some nicks on the edges, and I figure we'll end up doing countertops again when we get ready to sell this house (which we anticipate doing in about seven years when our youngest finishes high school). Our kitchen is so large that even laminate was EXPENSIVE!

For my house, I wouldn't have considered granite or quartz. We live in a large ranch house in a good neighborhood, but those expensive materials would've been out of line with the value of this house.

Finally, we aren't talking color here, but I'd suggest that you go with a neutral color. Replacing countertops is expensive, and you don't want to have to do it again.

 

[IDoDis]

So, what is an "average" cost to replace counter tops (including installation) with something like Corian with the counters being an "L" shape with an island in the middle? Just curious because I have been thinking of doing this, too. Although I need to replace some furniture first, but it would be nice to have an idea.

Also, did the PP's info say that you can't put a crock pot on Corian?

 

[Gokstate]

We have black quartz that we bought from Lowe's two years ago. I can't say enough good things about our countertop! You don't have to do anything to maintain it, it's heat resistant, scratch and stain resistant (ours doesn't have a scratch, ding, or stain yet, it looks brand new) and looks gorgeous. We went with the undermount stainless steel sink and I love it too. If we were doing a different kitchen in a new home, I wouldn't consider anything but quartz. Our kitchen has white cabinets and a black countertop so I'm hoping we won't have to do a single thing to it for a very long time. I figure black and white never goes out of style!

The product isn't cheap but it makes the kitchen look so classy. My Mom went cheap on her new house and put formica in and constantly kicks herself for not forking out the bucks and getting the quartz that she really wanted.

 

[kinntj]

Our kitchen has white cabinets and a black countertop so I'm hoping we won't have to do a single thing to it for a very long time. I figure black and white never goes out of style!

The product isn't cheap but it makes the kitchen look so classy. My Mom went cheap on her new house and put formica in and constantly kicks herself for not forking out the bucks and getting the quartz that she really wanted.

Our cabinets are also all white and I was hoping to go black for counter tops. I'll have to look into the quartz. I was thinking granite, but will have to weigh the options to how we use the kitchen. I like the no maintenance with the quartz. We want to redo the counter tops and then do the whole 1st floor in hardwood. I liked that in our last house.

 

[gilby]

We just finished our kitchen, I wanted corian until I saw the price, I went with high definition laminate from wilson art. I can replace my counter tops 3 times for the price of corian and yes colors change over the years. Everyone that look at my countertops says is that granite? We also don't plan on staying in the house for more than 5 years.

 

[Karlzmom]

Our cabinets are also all white and I was hoping to go black for counter tops. I'll have to look into the quartz. I was thinking granite, but will have to weigh the options to how we use the kitchen. I like the no maintenance with the quartz. We want to redo the counter tops and then do the whole 1st floor in hardwood. I liked that in our last house.

You could not pay me enough to do black granite again! Our last house had that in the kitchen and it showed EVERYTHING! I'm not talking about just dust, if someone sat at the bar counter and put their arm down then we needed to windex to get the smudge left by the skin oil off.....Yuck!!!

I'm looking at counter for the new house, and am thinking hard about either a glass/resin composite or paper stone for my large center island. Both are stylish, wear well and have the added "green" factor. I'm not a true "greenie", but know that many are and it will add appeal. We are going with stainless steel on the counters at the perimeter with an intergrated sink. Our house is VERY modern, and the quasi-industrial look with the durability will be perfect.

To the poster who was looking at floors, we put in cork when replacing carpet, and love it. It is temperature neutral, so no cold feet. Soft under foot, warm in color and sound absorbing. Added bonus of renewable resource and very minimal, if any, outgassing.

 

[lovepurple]

We replaced our countertops a couple of years ago with acrylic. The brand is LG Hi-Macs. So far we are happy with it. My kitchen is huge with a center island and built in desk. Total for the counterops was about $3K.

 

[jodifla]

We just finished our kitchen, I wanted corian until I saw the price, I went with high definition laminate from wilson art. I can replace my counter tops 3 times for the price of corian and yes colors change over the years. Everyone that look at my countertops says is that granite? We also don't plan on staying in the house for more than 5 years.

I wanted a more unusual color -- blue -- so I went with Wilsonart laminate as well. It looks GREAT! I have white cabinets, a blueberry accent wall, and the rest of the walls are painted a butterscotch color.

I got the beveled edges, and people are fooled into thinking it's a natural material.

I did put a granite slab on our kitchen island. The contrast is really striking and we love it.

 

[SCQ86]

I'm curious too.....planning on doing my kitchen and really would love to do the recycled glass....but for that price, I might as well get a new house

I really don't like the corian, cause I do like a shine, but I'm having problems finding the right color for the counter tops. I have white cabinets and dark brown laminate flooring....the color I want for the kitchen is a soft teal. I'm still debating if I want new appliance and if they should be white or SS...too many decisions.

 

[Goofy_4_WDW]

We just had silestone (quartz) installed from Home Depot.
We are so happy with our decision to go with silestone.
We choose Brazilian Brown which has dark brown,light brown and black.
Our cabinets are light.
It is beautiful. Easy to clean with just windex and paper towel. Here is the website so you can do research. Good luck in your decision.
http://www.silestoneusa.com/colors/colors.cfm?ColorID=59

 

[rottiemom]

I personally love granite, but if I was doing a kitchen remodel I'd probably go with the quartz. It has the durability of granite, without the need for sealant and without the heat sensitivity of say a corian.

Not all "granite" is really granite & not all of it needs sealing. Some of the stones are so dense that they will not absorb any sort of sealer so it's not only a waste of time & money but it also sits on top of the stone itself, looking cloudy. A good fabricator will know what does & does not need to be sealed.

I think that quartz is awesome but ended up going with granite because it was significantly cheaper. Let me elaborate...I fell in love with a high end, dense granite & was able to get an old slab at a steal (my kitchen is very small). If I couldn't have gotten this particular granite I would have gone with butcher block or laminate. I never put hot things directly on the counter and wouldn't do so unless the counter was stainless steel. I just don't want to find put the expensive way that I picked the wrong spot to put that hot pan.

One thing to remember about granite & quartz it that it's hard & if you drop something like a glass or a dish onto it the counter will be the one that comes out intact. My granite hasn't chipped but I have a simple, eased edge & take extra care when I'm putting my cast iron pots into the sink. Maintenance is nonexistant. My counters don't need to be sealed so it's just a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth & a water/rubbing alcohol mix & I'm done.

I love butcher block but it needs regular oiling, as does soapstore. Still, scratches on either can be sanded out & made to disappear. And you can cut directly on the BB without ruining your knives. Granite will chip. So will quartz (though it usually comes with a warranty). Stainless will scratch almost immediately but if you can embrace the patina it's my second favorite for the kitchen (I couldn't embrace the price).

You might want to pick up one of those kitchen magazines & just thumb through it for ideas. They usually have the breakdowns of the pros & cons of each counter material as well.

Good luck!

 

[thomas998]

We used the Corian type stuff... frankly I would go with it again and not consider the rock materials... we haven't seen any problem with heat, I've set hot pan on it and no has happened, so unless you're setting red hot cast iron skillets on it I don't see any issue with heat... You also get the benefit of being able to make very long or even U or L shaped coutner tops without a seam... Something you can't do with rock material and the seams collect dirt... you can get it any color you want....

Now it does have one down side compared to rock materials.. it can be scratched.... if you go with a matte finish that isn't a problem unless you were to use the counter tops as a cutting board... If you want that shiny granite/quartz finish you can get it. I was curious and with some special sand paper was able to get a mirror finish on the center isle... The down side to it is the mirror finish will show wear more than the matte.... You also have to be careful with the sinks if you go with a molded sink... if someone puts in a dirty dish with tomatoe sauce on it in there and you don't realize it, the result can be a stain that is a paint to get out (still do able you just have to sand it down a little).... Frankly I don't think I would even consider the rock stuff... it cost much more... is less forgiving if a plate slips out of your hand and is limited in what colors you can get.

Don't fall victim to the try to keep up with Jones.... just get what work for you... I'm sure in another couple of years the Home Depots of the world will start pushing some other material as the end all be all counter top of choice... may it will be glass or asphalt.... And I guess you realize that some of those tops like stained concrete were created by contractors that wanted to keep the price of new houses down... no one in his right mind would ever look at stain concrete and say wow that's what I want its so beautiful.

 

[MrsPete]

I got the beveled edges, and people are fooled into thinking it's a natural material.

Those beveled edges are the thing I wish I hadn't chosen! Our countertops were only a week old when we went away for a long weekend, leaving a not-too-new tomato near the edge. While we were gone, the tomato rotted and "oozed" a bit; the liquid caused the "edge" to split, exposing the inner core of the countertop. Fortunately, it was on a short section, but we had to pay for that repair.

Now in the spot just above the dishwasher, the seam is coming apart -- the heat and steam from the dishwasher is the culprit.

 

[MrsPete]

So, what is an "average" cost to replace counter tops (including installation) with something like Corian with the counters being an "L" shape with an island in the middle? Just curious because I have been thinking of doing this, too. Although I need to replace some furniture first, but it would be nice to have an idea.

Also, did the PP's info say that you can't put a crock pot on Corian?

We paid about $3000 two years ago for Wilson-Art high-def laminate with a beveled edge. Our kitchen is very large, and we have a great deal of countertop.

 

[JustGot2BMe]

I usually don't say much on the boards but I love Kitchens--I used to design them so here it goes--If you are planning on replacing your whole kitchen in 5 years go with laminate Upgrade, if you choose to, when you redo your kitchen. Granite comes in unbelievable colors (go check out your local granite yard) but it also come with upkeep of sealing it and can get spider cracks from extreme cold..ie: leaving a bag of ice on it. Silestone is a crushed quartz with a man made bonder and does not require that upkeep but the colors are more limited-some nice dark colors though--It has been a while so I am not positive about the cold with silestone. I do not know anything about soapstone we never used it. There is butcher block which is very nice in a more country style kitchen but also requires upkeep. Corian is nice and is extremely stain resistant i.e.: permanent marker & nail polish can be removed but can be burned with heat...So no putting a hot pot down without something under it. Do your homework and shop around ask lots of questions but keep in mind the only one that is easily changes at a cost that is reasonable is laminate. I tend to stick with it so in 5 years if I not longer want that color or would like a change it isn't as big a deal.