How To Choose Your Counter Tops

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Choosing your new counter-top material is as important as choosing your cabinets. Both are an investment that should last for a decade or two. The color and/or pattern you choose is a personal choice, but at Cabinets Plus LLC, we recommend choosing something that “fits” the style and color scheme of your home verses following current trends. Listed below are the major materials commonly used for residential counter-tops as well as commercial with pros and cons. Remember all counter-tops have to be fabricated to conform to your space and where there are sinks and cook-tops, must have cut-outs done.

One way to save costs on stone materials is to do a wall tile versus stone backsplash as the backsplash is factored into the square footage calculated. 

Granite is a natural stone, it is tough and beautiful and it is commonly preferred by homeowners. Though beautiful, this type of counter-top can be quite expensive and due to the weight of the material, it is required that a professional perform the installation. The cost of granite can vary depending on the stone slabs themselves as well as the thickness of the material. For an average kitchen, you can expect to pay anywhere from $6,500 to $9,000 and more including fabrication. A drawback is that granite needs to be resealed every year. 

Quartz is a man made material, made out of various resins. Quartz provides many beautiful colors and patterns, has a smooth polished surface and is less porous than granite. Quartz is less porous than granite, collecting less bacteria. Quartz weighs approximately 20 lbs per square foot, making it heavy and also requires professional installation. Quartz is less heat resistant, however, hot items should never be placed directly onto ANY counter-top surface, as the tops are not beyond cracking or receiving a mark from hot pots and pans. The average cost of quartz due to its popularity today is roughly equal to less expensive granite.

Laminates have come a long way since the 1970’s. There are so many colors and patterns to choose from, often made to appear as quartz and granite. They are a synthetic material and the most cost effective material to use. Laminates are lightweight, easier to install and have a smooth surface, but they can dent and scratch over time if not taken care of properly. There are many different edge details available. Budget friendly, you can expect to pay an average cost of $1250 to $2400 depending on kitchen size which includes fabrication and installation in most cases.

Solid Surface, such as Corian, are a synthetic material made from resins and mineral dust similar to quartz, but a bit thinner at ¼”. Solid Surface appears more seamless. It is less scratch resistant than quartz however. Homeowners can expect to pay between $1800 to $2900.00 for solid surface, and many of the available colors are more speckled compared to quartz. Used more commonly in Commercial projects. 

Durable and easy to clean. Marble is not as popular these days so at times it is more difficult to find a good fabricator. Costs are roughly similar to solid surfaces for a basic Marble. More fancy Marble can cost similar or greater than granite. 

Wood pieces that are pieced together and sealed. Butcher Block are not recommended for or near wet areas, therefore used more on Niche areas, such as an island that does not have a sink. Prices depend on wood species selected and size. 

Other Niche areas can contain other materials such as concrete, stainless steel and soapstone, which will require more custom quoting.