Carlo Morelli

Kitchen Countertop Materials: Comparison Shopping for your Renovation Project



Posted: Monday, June 19, 2006

by Carlo Morelli
OnlineTips.org Home and Garden Tips

I was helping my daughter having her kitchen remodelled recently. She was having problems trying to decide on a new countertop material. Walking through the counters area in Home Depot gave her a few ideas, but she was still undecided when the time came to choose a month later. I decided to write out a quick comparison of all the materials and costs for her and when I was done I thought other people might find it useful as well, so here goes.

Most people are familiar with laminate countertops. (Formica is one brand name.) They’re a thin surface of high-pressure laminate applied to a thicker base of plywood or particleboard. Pluses: The standby, available in literally hundreds of patterns and colors, laminates are the least expensive (next to tile) and durable, requiring less upkeep than tile. Minuses: Easy to scorch with hot cookware, the use of layers in their construction makes it tricky to repair chips, show scratches, especially lighter colors, so not usable as a cutting surface. Less durable than natural stone or solid surface use with under mount sinks is not recommended. Cost: $25 to $50 foot

Solid surfacing, (brand names Corian, Fountainhead, Avonite and Surrell) a newer countertop material, is durable and mimics the appearance of natural stone materials like marble or granite. Pluses: Gives seamless surfaces, easy to care for. High impact resistance, easily repaired, nonporous and seamless, so won't trap dirt, collect bacteria or stain easily. Minuses: May melt from hot pot looks non-natural in some color schemes, licensed contractor required for installation and repair work. Cost: $60 to $110 per foot.

Natural woods. Used in butcher-block style arrangement. Maple, oak and other hardwoods, make durable and elegant countertops. Pluses: Good surface for cutting foods scratches easily repaired by sanding easy match with wood cabinets and floors. Minuses: Requires a finish to preserve appearance, may scorch with hot cookware, allows bacterial growth, so needs regular cleaning. Not practical for entire countertop – good for small sections. Cost: $50 to $75 per foot

Granite. Popular for their elegant and rich look, natural stone countertops will last longer than most kitchens. Pluses: Adds to value of home, hard durable surface, very heat resistant. Minuses: very expensive, requires care since it is porous and must be sealed periodically, grease will stain. Cost: 60 to $200 per foot for granite $60 to $130 per foot for marble (stains easily and not recommended for food prep countertop)

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile: This is the countertop material my daughter was replacing. While the counters were in pretty bad shape, refurbishing was an option. Tile has a comforting, classic look and is inexpensive.. Pluses: Easy to clean up after a mess. More heat resistant than laminates solid surfaces, inexpensive, unless you are thinking about custom or hand-painted tiles. Minuses: Can chip and crack easily needs regular maintenance to keep bacteria out of grout. Scrubbing grout. Cost: $10 to $25 per foot.

So, what countertop material did she choose in the end? For it’s reasonable cost and reparability, Corian got the nod for the new kitchen. We found a color that was very close to a granite look and we also liked the ten year warranty.

Visit www.onlinetips.org for tips on Granite Countertop Care.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Anonymous
 5 years 264 days ago.
Good information, however a newer product was not mentioned that is fabulous, silestone. It is about the same price as granite, requires professional install but all I have read, Home Depot and HGTV all say better than granite. Not pourous and has a 10 year warranty. We installed it and love it.
» left by ken from bethany 3 years 119 days ago.
dont count on any warranty from home depot, we bought our countertops, paid $6000.00, a crack appeared about 16 months later, they came and looked at it and told me they cant see how that would have happened, BTW THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR CRACKING. Thanks home depot, During the sale they told me all this great stuff "its the last one you will ever buy", "you cant hurt it unless you hit something on the edge", etc. Well the crack is nowhere near an edge, it is in the seam and goes through the middle.And there is nothing they will do about it. SO DONT BUY GRANITE FROM HOME DEPOT, if you get it somewhere else get them to put the no cracking on paper.
» left by George
from Port St Lucie, FL 3 years 11 days ago.
How does a quartz countertop rate as to cost and durability?
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