Although kitchen countertop replacement is challenging, it will increase the value of your home. Spend a time researching all well-nigh countertops surpassing you start remodeling your kitchen.

In this guide, you will learn well-nigh the variegated kinds of countertop materials, and how to segregate the right countertop for your kitchen, plus receive a few answers to worldwide questions.

Considerations When Replacing Kitchen Countertops

There are several factors to consider surpassing you decide to replace kitchen countertops. You may segregate to repair your existing countertops, which would save time and money.

Kitchen Countertop Expenses

Before you do anything, icon out what you want and set a budget. There are so many choices when of kitchen countertop styles, which are misogynist at variegated price points. You can segregate a simple laminate countertop, which is the cheapest material on the market, or a luxurious option, like copper or marble.

Pricing moreover dictates quality and maintenance. Low-end countertops are built for upper traffic use but are less well-flavored and have shorter lifespans.

High-end countertops are made of lulu materials but require increasingly maintenance, while some surfaces require specific cleaning chemicals.

Prices start at $20 per square foot for cheaper materials, whereas high-end countertops can go vastitude $200 per square foot. Mid-range countertops, like solid surfaces or ceramic tile, are easier on the upkeep and hold up to regular use.

Kitchen Countertop Material Composition

There are two types of countertop material – natural or engineered. Metal, stone, and wood make up natural countertops. Engineered materials, like resins, binders, powders, and pressed laminates will create nice surfaces.

Artificial materials are cheaper than natural ones, and are increasingly durable and have less maintenance. Solid surface countertops are a cheaper volitional to stone countertops.

Manufactured countertops offer flexibility and room for creativity as they’re misogynist in a variety of colors and patterns.

High Traffic Kitchens

Some materials are not suitable for high-traffic kitchens. For example, recycled glass or travertine countertops would not withstand a rented kitchen. Research countertop materials so you’ll have durable material that can handle your kitchen’s traffic.

Stainless steel countertops can handle upper traffic as they withstand use in commercial kitchens. They are a increasingly expensive option. Quartz countertops have higher tautness than granite, require little maintenance, and are easy to clean.

Pay sustentation to what kinds of material can withstand upper heat. Scorching hot pans will shrivel the top of a laminate countertop, whereas granite can resist the hottest kitchen temperatures.

If you don’t use your kitchen counters often, you may want to consider a wood or marble countertop.

Countertop Warranty Protection

Most countertops manufacturers come with a warranty, ensuring that your product is self-ruling of defects from the factory.

The most important warranty to trammels into is the fabricator’s warranty. This warranty covers the installation of the countertop, including seams and sinks.

Seams can unravel due to your house settling, cabinets not stuff installed right, or the sink pulling untied from the countertop.

A warranty can help repair and replace these types of damages.

Replace Your Cabinets

If you are ripping out all of your countertops, you may want to consider replacing cabinets at the same time.

You can match new cabinets to your countertops instead of trying to match countertops to existing cabinets.

Most kitchen countertops are tying to the cabinets. If this is the case, it could be complicated to uncouple them.

You moreover risk rabble-rousing your countertops if you have to replace kitchen cabinets lanugo the line.

Repair Old Countertops

Some types of countertops can be repaired instead of replaced. It all depends on the material of the countertop.

Wood countertops can be buffed out. Natural stone repair kits can repair stone countertops. Laminate countertops may be worldly-wise to be repaired if scratches are minor, but it isn’t easy to match the verisimilitude and texture.

Repairing existing countertops is a unconfined way to save money and be earth-conscious.

How to Save Money On New Countertops

Here are some tips and tricks to make your countertop installation financing lower.

Buy Wholesale Granite Countertops

You can save a tuft of money on your new countertops if you cut out the middle man.

Skip shopping at big-box retailers and go straight to the countertop manufacturer. Granite countertop businesses used to be for contractors and dealers, but that has reverted over the recent years.

Most granite countertop manufacturers are now unshut to the public. You can save a good value of money dealing with them instead of the hardware stores.

DIY Demolition

Check with your installer and see if you can get a deal on your installation and financing if you do your demolition.

Demolition may sound easy, but it takes thought and care, so you don’t forfeiture flooring and appliances.

Ripping out your countertops requires a lot of strength. Stone countertops are heavy so see if you can recruit help from friends or family.

Use Contact Paper

You can freshen the squint of your old countertops with contact paper. You can use contact paper on wood, laminate, quartz, and granite countertops.

Contact paper is temporary, so you can take it off and replace it once it has worn out.

Installation is easy, and anyone can do it. Make sure your countertops are clean, peel the valuables off, and wield it to the surface. Smooth out any bubbles.

Guide to Kitchen Countertop Material

Choosing a countertop material can be a daunting task. This section contains an overview of each type of countertop material, the pros and cons, and the price range to help you make an informed visualization well-nigh kitchen countertops.

Solid Surface Kitchen Countertop

Solid surface countertops are cheaper than granite and other high-end surfaces yet can resemble natural stone.

These countertops are 1/3rd tightness resins and 2/3rds minerals. The minerals in solid surfacing include aluminum trihydrate and bauxite. The minerals requite the resins a smooth consistency that resembles fine stone.

Solid surfacing is non-porous, is easy to vitrify scratches, and is solid. However, solid surfaces are not heat resistant. They’re moreover challenging to work with during a DIY countertop installation. The material is soft and scratches.

Solid surfaces require a sink cut-out and cannot have an undermount sink installation.

Countertops made of solid surface forfeit virtually $50 per square foot, and the stereotype project ranges between $2,500 to $5,000.

Granite Kitchen Countertops

Granite countertops are natural stone cut in large slabs quarried from deposits worldwide.

The stone is rough, textured, and porous. Granite requires grinding and polishing, which needs maintenance.

Granite comes in variegated hues, including pink, white, black, and gray. Part of the fun is matching granite slabs with your kitchen and cabinets.

Granite is made into slab countertops, but granite tile is rhadamanthine increasingly popular. Granite moreover looks unconfined on a kitchen island and for backsplashes.

Countertops made of granite have spanking-new tautness when maintained and resist scratches and heat. However, granite must be sealed and maintained, or else the stone can stain and plane harbor bacteria.

Granite Prices

The price of granite countertops varies with the quality of the stone. You can find unbelieve granite for virtually $20 per square foot, but the pieces may be damaged or not attractive. Stereotype granite material financing virtually $50 per square foot. Premium granite prices can be as upper as $125 per square foot.

The forfeit of granite material and new countertop installation ranges between $2,500 to $5,000 for most homeowners.

If you decide on granite countertops, invest in a high-quality granite superintendency product.

Granite Maintenance

Maintenance tips include:

• Wipe up spills – acidic foods and liquids do the most damage
• Do not let wet kitchen items sit on the granite
• Do not use dish soap on granite
• Do not cut on the granite surface
• Do not wipe with ammonia, vinegar, or citrus cleaners
• Use granite specific cleaners

Granite comes with a factory seal, so consult with the manufacturer well-nigh keeping the seal in good condition.

If your granite countertops get chips, you can use a DIY stone repair kit to fix the damage.

Its weightier for professional countertop installers to put in granite countertops. Installers cut, edge, and polish the granite stone slabs, which requires specific experience.

Marble Kitchen Countertops

Marble slab countertops are a luxurious nomination and require special maintenance to alimony the natural stone in spanking-new condition.

Treat marble countertops like you would granite, wiping up spills, not wearing on the surface, and using specialty cleaning products to alimony the stone maintained.

Marble is a little bit increasingly expensive than granite. Marble countertops forfeit between $40 to $100 per square foot, with premium marble rising to $180 per square foot. The stereotype countertop installation will forfeit well-nigh $5,000.

You can buy marble in whole slabs for countertops and add a marble backsplash to well-constructed the look.

Ceramic Tile Countertops

Ceramic tile is an spanking-new nomination if you are looking for versatility in colors and patterns. Tiles are easy to wipe and do not stain.

Ceramic tiles are made from fired soil and are the least expensive tile available. Ceramic tile countertops can use small or large tiles. If you segregate small tiles, there will be increasingly grout lines which can be harder to clean.

Many homeowners segregate large tiles on their kitchen countertop. Small tiles are preferred for backsplashes and accents.

Use glazed tiles for surfaces that are susceptible to water exposure.

Ceramic tile kitchen countertops have an uneven surface, so things like a wearing workbench or platter may not sit right.

The price for a ceramic countertop varies on the type of tile you choose. Basic tiles can be as low as $2 per square foot, whereas high-quality designed tiles can go up to $30 per square foot. The stereotype forfeit to install countertops made of ceramic tile is virtually $2,000, making it one of the increasingly affordable options.

Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Quartz countertops are a classy-looking surface that is a nice volitional to natural stones. The quartz surface is an engineered stone with small crystals unseat by resin. This mix of resins and crystals creates a stunning surface that looks similar to natural stone but without the price tag.

Quartz engineered stone should not be tumbled with quartzite – it is a variegated material altogether.

Manufactured quartz countertops can range in pattern, texture, and color. Quartz can resemble smooth stone, marble, concrete, and granite.

Quartz countertop surfaces are durable, are resistant to heat, and do not tweedle or damage. This kind of counter is low maintenance and can be wiped lanugo with ease.

However, the surface is porous, making the countertop prone to staining. Therefore, the quartz surface must be resealed on a regular basis.

Quartz forfeit well-nigh $4,500 to install countertops, with an stereotype of $60 per square foot.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is a natural metamorphic rock, unlike quartz engineered stone. Quartzite has unique eyeful and variations in verisimilitude and pattern. It is increasingly durable than granite and is increasingly affordable yet has a similar squint to granite.

Quartzite is not as porous as other materials, but it requires regular sealing to alimony it in the weightier condition.

When you shop for quartzite countertops, you will find a large selection of slabs that forfeit between $50 to $100 per square foot installed. Price variation depends on the sexiness of the natural colors and patterns. Quartz countertops forfeit virtually $5000 to install.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Countertops

Stainless steel countertops are seen in commercial kitchens but can be used for the home if you want a professional kitchen style. You can use stainless steel on a kitchen island, and for bar tops too.

Fabrication shops customize stainless steel countertops for residential homes. All holes, cuts, and bends a prefabricated into steel sheets.

There are several finishes for stainless steel:

• Brushed
• Mirrored
• Hammered
• Antique matte
• Satin polish

Stainless steel is non-porous and resists yes-man and microbes. It is moreover resistant to heat, burns, and rust.

One significant drawback to stainless steel countertops is the noise. Doing anything on a stainless-steel surface is loud, like placing a nonflexible object on the surface.

Stainless steel scratches, dents, and collects fingerprints. Heat transfers into the steel from hot pots and pans.

The price of a stainless-steel countertop ranges on the expensive side. The thicker the steel, the increasingly the price increases, with sizes ranging from 20 to 14 gauge. The price ranges from $80 to $200 per square foot, with well-constructed countertop installation financing well-nigh $6000.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are the most affordable surfaces on the market and are a good, low-maintenance option.

A combination of paper and plastic worked into thin layers creating the laminate surface. These layers are colored and textured, then laminated into particle or chipboard.

Laminate countertops can be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. It is easy to work with, making laminate a good nomination for DIY installation.

There are many laminate countertops on the market, and the price varies based on the quality. High-end laminates have a largest sheen and texture compared to low-end laminates.

Do note that damaged laminate cannot be filled or repaired. You can’t use laminate with undermount sinks. Also, laminate does not have any heat resistance and burns with ease.

The price of laminate countertops ranges virtually the $25 to $35 range per square foot installed. Higher-end laminate can be as upper as $60 per square foot. A well-constructed installation financing virtually $2000.

Copper Kitchen Countertops

Using copper for countertops is trending as it has a unshared warm squint that is lustrous and full of character. As copper tarnishes, a unique patina develops, giving the copper an authentic, classical look.

Copper has natural antimicrobial qualities and is a sustainable towers material. It is easy to wipe and to work with.

Copper does discolor, which is an inherent property of the metal. It is moreover soft and is prone to scratches and dents. These all add weft to the copper, but if you are not a fan of change, then copper countertops are not suitable for you.

Copper countertops are the most expensive on the market today, an plane higher than granite and marble. The price of a copper countertop ranges from $100 to $200 per square foot, with well-constructed labor and install forfeit of $7,000.

Travertine Countertop

Travertine countertops are a less popular style compared to other natural stone countertops, such as marble and granite. However, it is rising in popularity due to its unusual colors and textures.

Travertine is less expensive than other stone options, with price points starting at $25 per square foot. Travertine is known for its reflectivity, which brightens up a space.

Several reasons may requite you reservations well-nigh choosing a travertine countertop. The stone is reactive to acids. Lemon juice, vinegar, and wine will stain travertine. It is soft and porous and is susceptible to scratching and chipping. It is weightier to stay yonder from travertine countertops if you have upper use in your kitchen.

Recycled Glass Countertops

This countertop style uses recycled glass pieces from curbside glass recyclables and demolished buildings. The glass rests in a tightness agent, such as resin, and creates a mosaic squint that can have a variety of designs, shapes, and colors.

Recycled glass countertops use the mosaic terrazzo style, but you can moreover find homogeneous glass countertops made of melted glass.

Glass is non-porous and is resistant to stains. However, the tightness wage-earner may be susceptible to staining, so trammels with the manufacturer for countertop maintenance methods.

Glass countertops can be prone to chipping and cracking when pots and pans are put lanugo on them too hard.

The forfeit for recycled glass countertops is on the higher side, with prices ranging from $50 to $80 per square foot.

Wood Countertop

Butcher woodcut style wood counters have a warm, organic finger that is gentle on kitchenware and plane absorbs sound. You can segregate from woods such as mesquite, hickory, or walnut.

Wood countertops use a traditional butcher woodcut design. It is a unconfined material for DIY builders who can malleate the wood virtually sinks, corners, and appliances.

If your butcher woodcut wood countertop does get cut, gouged, or plane burnt, the wood can be mended.

Note that wood expands and contracts, so butcher woodcut countertops can warp and gap. You will need to maintain your wood butcher woodcut with oils on a frequent basis.

Wood countertops have a wide range in price, depending on the type of wood. You can find wood ranging from $20 to $70 per square foot, with an stereotype well-constructed installation costing virtually $3500 including the labor cost.

Concrete Countertops

Concrete has a cool, modern industrial squint that is customizable for many spaces in the home. You can verisimilitude concrete, add texture, and inlay stones and glass aggregate.

Concrete is durable as most contractors fortify the mix with glass fibers, making the countertop lightweight and heavy-duty. Reinforcement of the touchable allows for long stretches without seams and can create overhangs.

Although touchable is durable, it picks up stains as it is porous. You can seal the concrete, but that changes its inherent matte aesthetics.

Concrete countertops are upper in cost, with a whence price tag of $65 per square foot for simple designs. The price tag can go way up when you add color, texture, and aggregate.

You can build your own touchable countertop, but the project is ramified and requires curing time and lots of tools.

Other Types of Kitchen Countertops

There are several other countertop options, including:

• Soapstone countertops – is a natural material and is porous and unsealed, which requires special upkeep. Soapstone countertops are expensive, ranging from $70 to $120 per square foot.
• Limestone countertops –  are one of the cheaper natural stone surfaces available, with a price starting virtually $30 per square foot. Limestone countertops do require regular sealing.
• Slate countertops – are a visionless gray stone that has a sleek, elegant look. It is unusual to see slate countertops, but it has wilt increasingly prevalent in recent years. Slate countertops forfeit virtually $40 per square foot, making them one of the increasingly affordable stone options.
• Porcelain countertops – are heat resistant, easy to clean, and stain-resistant. Porcelain is poured into large slabs and is lighter than stone. Expect to pay $60 per square foot for porcelain countertops.

The possibilities for countertop materials are endless. It comes lanugo to what you can afford, how much maintenance you want to perform, and your aesthetic.

Kitchen Countertops Replacement Conclusion

Kitchen countertops are a vital component of your kitchen and need to incorporate functionality and tautness while moreover looking attractive.

When deciding on a kitchen countertop, think well-nigh how you often use your kitchen. If you are nonflexible on surfaces, segregate something that can withstand cuts, dents, and heat.

If you don’t use your kitchen often and you’re concerned well-nigh aesthetics, high-end materials may be the largest option.

Overall, kitchen countertops offer style, class, and repletion into your home.

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