Once you’ve established the budget foryour bathroom or kitchen remodeling project, the next step is to identify the types of countertops that fit into the budget. Knowing how much different countertops cost may also help you decide just how much countertop space makes sense for you, allowing you to rework the plans early in the project, if needed. In this countertop guides article we will discuss the differences in cost to help you in choosing the right one for you.
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Countertop cost is determined by the price of the material and how much of it you’ll need to cover your cabinets, island, vanities and similar surfaces. There are attractive bathroom and kitchen countertop options for every budget starting at about $15 per square foot installed and ranging to more than $200. This guide is mainly about kitchen and bathroom countertop costs. If you’re still researching countertop materials, our Countertop Guides contain a wealth of information including countertop pros and cons for all material options.
Now, here’s an overview of countertop cost comparisons, the factors affecting price and how to save money on each material without sacrificing quality professional installation. We also rate ongoing maintenance costs for each material based on whether they must be regularly sealed and the cost of cleaning products and potential repairs. Ratings are low, moderate and high.
Note: We aim for price consistency throughout the site, but prices change quickly in the countertop industry. New products in each material type hit the market and might lower or raise the cost range limits.
Marble is ultra-luxurious, though it’s a bit of a diva. If you’re willing to pamper marble countertops, they will maintain their elegant good looks for the life of your home. The key is to follow manufacturer guidelines for sealing, use, daily care and cleaning. They’re not
recommended for heavy use or in areas where young kids might not take the required precautions to prevent staining and chipping.
While marble scares off many homeowners, granite is embraced enthusiastically. As popularity has risen, prices have become more reasonable, especially for granite tile. Like marble, follow care guidelines (which are more flexible than for marble), and you’ve got forever countertops.
Sometimes just referred to as quartz, other times called engineered stone, this is gorgeous stuff. It offers a wider variety of colors than granite and can also hold up better under certain conditions, even if it can’t quite match granite’s raw beauty. One of the advantages of an engineered product is that pigment can be added to produce a wider range of colors than found in natural stone. However, the color is consistent rather than varied like natural stone. The polymer and resin binders mix with the 90% ground quartz to cure into a gleaming, non-porous and very tough countertop.
Slate isn’t as popular as granite, but it certainly doesn’t take a back seat when it comes to beauty. Quality slate requires less maintenance than other natural stones. Slabs are available, but costly. Slate tiles are more affordable and very attractive. Similar slate tiles have graced European buildings for centuries, still doing their job, so you can rely on slate countertops to be very durable.
Soapstone is an attractive alternative for those that want natural stone when “all their friends” have granite. Its appearance is somewhat more rustic and casual too, a great fit in casual kitchen design, country, French country and Old World styles too. Mottled white, off-white and gray tones predominate in slabs and tiles. Excellent durability and low maintenance are two reasons to consider it. This is an expensive option, though.
Installing lava stone countertops will keep your friends guessing what material it is. This unique and expensive countertop is available in a range of colors and, no surprise, it is very resistant to heat. Costly to refinish, should it need it, these countertops should last 50+ years.
How to save money on lava countertops: Frankly, there aren’t any “deals” on lava stone. All lava countertop tiles and slabs are expensive
Limestone is a good choice for kitchens that do not get a heavy workout. They’re beautiful but as challenging to maintain as marble, but at a lower cost. There are several attractive limestone grades and styles.
Travertine is a limestone material formed under tremendous heat and pressure. The result is a material sometimes mistaken for marble. This gorgeous material, like standard limestone, needs regular sealing, and care must be taken not to scratch or chip it.
This isn’t the stuff they make sidewalks from, though it shares some characteristics. A Concrete countertop is trendy, stylish and can be very handsome in any kitchen. They are certainly above average in cost, too. Concrete countertops: $70-$140 per square foot.
Choosing concrete is not like having a slab of sidewalk for a countertop. Not at all. A Concrete countertop is trendy, stylish and can be very handsome in any kitchen. Once installed, the surface can be stamped, acid-stained and/or polished to produce an amazing array of design options. Concrete countertops are durable, attractive and completely customizable, a distinct advantage over natural stone.
The popularity of stainless steel ebbs and flows among homeowners as a whole, but it remains one of the go-to choices for true cooking enthusiasts who want a durable, tough finish that is easy to clean. It’s a fantastic choice in retro designs too.
Tough acrylic is the basis for these innovative and durable countertops. Corian and Swanstone are leading brands and offer the most colors and patterns, many of which are modeled on the patterns found in granite or marble. A solid surface countertop is a beautiful alternative to pricier materials and require less maintenance.
For those who want their countertops and backsplashes to be colorful and creative, as well as giving a boost to the environment, love the look of a recycled glass countertop. The material isn’t costly but the process and artistry can be.
Warm, traditional and very attractive wood and butcherblock countertops are also a top choice for those who love to work in the kitchen. New woods are being added to the lineup of butcher block and wood countertops every year, creating a wide variety of pricing.
While technically a grass, bamboo wears like wood, only it is harder and more durable than hardwood.
While in short supply, reclaimed wood is an appealing choice for enthusiasts of sustainable living. The wood can be gorgeous when the countertops are manufactured with artisan skill.
Porcelain is a hot countertop material in Europe and is trending in North America for its many wonderful qualities. This material takes ceramic to the next level of strength (it’s tougher than granite but lighter), heat resistance and durability.
Ceramic tiles come in wide range of prices and there are enough colors and styles to match any taste. Depending on the size, shape and quality of the material, tile countertops can be affordable or quite pricey. No material offers greater opportunity to customize your countertop and/or backsplash. There’s tile for every kitchen style too, and it is durable, heat resistant and fairly easy to care for when you keep the grout sealed.
Laminate is the most affordable material for use in countertops. It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, many of which are created to look like granite, marble or other high-end materials. Most laminate countertops are attractive and surprisingly durable.
As you can see, the prices vary wildly, and depending on the part of the country (or world!) you're in, they can vary even more. Natural stone materials are extremely heavy, and if you're far from where the stone is sourced, you can expect to pay up for it! If you're looking to replace your countertops, it's a great idea to hire a reputable contractor. If you're more of a DIY-er, you can make some improvements to your existing countertops to bring them up to spec, such as bullnozing the edges and so forth. It's amazing what re-polishing your natural stone countertops can do for their beauty.
Whether you have solid-surface countertops installed professionally or install them yourself , you'll enjoy an immediate boost to your home's value through this smart upgrade. Non-toxic, low-VOC and non-porous, solid-surface countertops are a great looking option for even the toughest wear and tear. Endlessly customizable and easy to clean, there's no doubt as to why it's one of the hottest options out there.