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The
ideal countertop would improve the look of your kitchen
or bathroom,
stand up to sizzling cookware and sharp knives, hair
products, and
repair easily--all without breaking your budget. That's
not an easy order to fill, but with so many counter
materials available, you should be able to find one that
fits your needs. There
are more alternatives than ever: laminates,
ceramic tile, wood, cement, man-made solid surfacing and natural stone. Keep in mind that sink cutouts, overall
layout, edge and backsplash design and other
considerations all affect the price, sometimes
dramatically.
Laminate
You
probably know laminates by referring to them by the
original brand name of the creator of this substance - Formica,
however there are at least three other major
manufacturers: Nevamar, Pionite and Wilsonart. This
material, about 1/16 in. thick, is glued to a substrate
of particleboard with contact adhesive there are well
over 150 colors and patterns to choose from.
Laminate
is an excellent value. Prices start at about $15 to $20
per square foot, and the material is easy to keep clean,
resists stains and, with care, is extremely durable (no
hot pans, and no cutting on the surface, please). It
does have a few weak points: Laminate is difficult or
impossible to repair if chipped or burned, and it
probably shouldn't be combined with an under mount sink.
As
for edge treatments, the least expensive is the
"self-edge." It's a strip of laminate fixed to
the outside edge of the counter, leaving a telltale
black line where the two pieces are joined. But there
are now many more choices in edging--wood, beveled and
rounded edges, as well as edges that incorporate solid
surfacing. These
edges give laminate counters a much more polished
appearance, but add $10 and up per running foot to the
final costs.
Post-formed
laminates
A
even less expensive laminate choice is post-formed
laminate counter, which comes with an integral
backsplash and a rolled front edge. These ready-made
counters come in fewer colors, and because the laminate
is thinner, these countertops are more susceptible to
damage. Post-formed counters also do not lend themselves
to designs with curves, bump-outs or other
irregularities, but could be exactly the right counter
when budget is the most important consideration.
Tile
Ceramic
tile / granite tile counters seem to be an increasingly
favorite counter material. Tile can be used with any
type of sink, but a self-rimming is usually preferred.
Because tile is so versatile, counters can be made in
virtually any shape.
Tile
is highly resistant to stains, heat and cutting; and a
damaged tile can be chiseled out and replaced without
tearing out the entire counter. (Buy extra tile at the
time of installation because manufacturers change tile
colors often, and even seemingly common tile can be hard
to find later.) Some see grout lines as a beautiful and
integral part of this material and others see them as a
maintenance issue. However, with proper planning,
installation and materials grout lines can practically
disappear and become almost maintenance free.
Basic
ceramic tile including installation runs about $25 to
$30 per square foot, but expect higher prices with
complicated layouts, custom touches and non-basic tiles.
Tile offers so many choices, especially when it
comes to edges and accent pieces that a truly unique and
beautiful kitchen is guaranteed.
Wood
Butcher-block
counters have a warmth and resilience no other material
can match, and you'll never be without a cutting board.
Available in lengths up to 12 ft., counters typically
are 1 1/2 in. thick and in widths of up to 48 in. The
cost for premium hard-rock maple butcher block is about
$30 to $40 per square foot. Although long-wearing, wood
countertops require regular attention and reapplication
of oil. Wood counters should be oiled every four to
eight weeks. On the positive side, problem areas can be
scraped, sanded and refinished to get a nearly new
appearance. There also is some evidence that wood
countertops have some natural resistance to bacteria
growth.
Concrete
The
counters are poured on site, forming just about any
shape you want and adding details such as cutting-board
recesses or integral drain boards is common. Cement is
extremely heavy so there is often reinforcement added to
cabinets so they can hold the additional weight. It is
heat-resistant, and scratches and other surface defects
can be sanded and buffed out.
Like
other cement-based products, it is porous and will stain
if not sealed regularly with mineral oil or pure tung
oil. If you're the kind of person who loses sleep over
slight stains, or are seeking a maintenance-free
countertop, look for something else. Pricing can range
from $75-$150 a square foot. Concrete is a medium that
responds to just about any inventive style. The patina
it develops over time from staining can be quite
beautiful.
Cast
Acrylic
Pioneered
by DuPont as Corian in 1966, solid surfacing, a 100%
synthetic cast-acrylic or polyester material, is now
made by six or so manufacturers; costing (from $45 to
$80 per square foot). Nonporous and non-staining,
solid-surface counters are manufactured in about 80
colors and patterns, including several new ones that
look like glass or quartz.
A
standard counter is 1/2 in. thick. Edges are built up
with additional pieces and then machined into a variety
of profiles. There are at least two big advantages to
these counters. One is that the material doesn't have a
thin color or decorative layer like laminate--it's the
same all the way through, so scorch marks, scratches and
other defects can be sanded out. The other plus is that
integral sinks can be added for a practically completely
seamless look.
Quartz
Polymer
Actually
invented
in Spain, all these product basically consist of a
mix of 93%
quartz aggregate and 7% polymer that binds it together. In
hardness only diamond, sapphire and topaz – are harder
than quartz,
since
quartz is the 4th hardest substance in the world it
makes for a very hard and practical counter surface.
There are now many manufacturers of this popular material,
all are stone-synthetic
composite that is mostly quartz particles mixed with a
binder.
Priced at $40 to $90
per square foot,
you are approaching the price point of some of the more
expensive options for counter tops.
Man-made solid surfacing has a predictable look to it.
If you desire a more natural look to your solid-surface
then the next category may be a better fit for you.
Where
manmade composites are uniform and predictable, natural
stone is natural and every characteristic of it will
vary in: color, texture, hardness, stain resistance,
strength and, of course, price. Stone is quarried from
sources from all over the world, so the varieties are
almost endless.
Granite
At
the top of the pecking order is granite. Harder than
most other materials, granite also comes in many
different colors and in both gloss and matte finishes
(matte, or honed, is slightly more expensive). Granite
is heat- and stain-resistant (but not stain-proof).
Prices vary, but expect to pay $60 to $150 per square
foot, depending on the type of stone, detailing and the
complexity of the installation. Because granite can
sometimes be not much more expensive than solid
surfacing, it is tempting with its more natural looks
and heat resistance.
Marble
Marble
can be elegant in appearance, and is often chosen for
pastry and baking work centers, but is has less
structural integrity than other stone counters and it
stains easily. Marble is not as heat-resistant as
granite and works best in areas where wear and tear is
less of an issue.
Soapstone
/ Limestone
Is
soft and heavy, often described as "sort of like a
stone version a pine floor" in how it shows signs
of use. Because slabs are smaller, you'll get more seams
in a soapstone counter.
Limestone is the most porous of the lot. Soft and
generally light-colored with a honed finish, limestone
has an earthy, old-world look.
A
graphical comparison of costs for the different types
of counter top materials.
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