The Top Materials for Countertops Part 1

December 6, 2013 Comments Off

What’s the one item that sets the tone for the kitchen. The statement of the kitchen? From experience we can tell you one of the first questions we always get about our kitchens? ” What are your countertops made of??”

So we thought we would write a series on countertops. With the never ending options that seem to grow daily it is hard to know what choice will be right for your remodel. What choices are out there? What makes the most economical sense for this house? How will I know if I am over-improving? In our never ending attempt to education first time flippers and help refresh seasoned flippers we have put together a list of traditional an non-traditional countertops and some pros and cons for each. In this first part we will look at Traditional options.

Traditional

Laminate

Made of paper blended with resins and fused to particle board, laminate has been a kitchen mainstay for decades. It hasn’t always had a stylish, desirable reputation . However, the latest designs on the market mimic stone, butcher block and other pricier surfaces.

Pros: Laminate is one of the most affordable countertop materials, so it’s a good choice if your budget is tight. A comes in a variety of colors, is low maintenance and easy to clean. Its light weight doesn’t require the support of a thick cabinet base.

Cons: Laminate is prone to scratching, burns and, in some cases, staining. With wear and moisture exposure, the layers can peel. Because of the raw particle board core, you can’t use laminate with undermount sinks, and it’s also difficult to repair if it gets damaged. Cost: $10 to $30 per square foot, installed

Granite

One of the most popular countertop choices, granite defines refinement in a kitchen.

Pros: Holds up to heat,comes in a range of almost 3000 colors. It will last a lifetime. New sealers make it almost maintenance-free; 2nd highest hardness rating after diamonds.Home buyers. love this stuff!
Cons: It is expensive, but becoming more affordable. Requires some maintenance and some stones absorbs stains if not sealed. Your knives can become dull if you cut on it and lastly it can crack if stressed or improperly installed due to its heaviness.

Cost: $35 to $100 per square foot, installed

Quartz

Crafted of resin and quartz chips tinted with color, quartz surfacing (also called engineered quartz or engineered stone) is a good compromise between the beauty of stone and the easy care of solid surfacing.

Pros: Quartz surfacing has the same advantages as solid surfacing with regard to maintenance. As an engineered product, it’s available in a far greater range of colors and patterns than natural stone.

Cons: This material doesn’t have the natural variegation of granite, so it may be evident that it’s an engineered product. It’s relatively pricey, although its durability can make it a worthwhile investment.

Cost: $40 to $90 per square foot, installed

Marble

Really there is nothing that looks and feels more glamorous than a marble countertop. Head of its class in terms of its luminescence and distinctive veining, it’s an ultra-traditional choice.

Pros: Perhaps the most luxurious option. It stands up to heat well, and because it remains perennially cool, it’s a traditional choice for pastry and baking stations .

Cons: Marble is probably the most prone to staining, even with sealing. For that reason, it’s not often used throughout an entire kitchen. It can also scratch and chip.

Cost: $40 to $100 per square foot, installed

Stay tuned for our second part of Top Materials for Countertops when we look at less traditional options for your kitchen.

This might be a little much for your flipping farm area…

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Erik Hitzelberger has been Real Estate Investor since 2007. While learning the ropes in the market down-cycle, he now teaches others how to use his systems and leverage other people’s expertise to achieve their own goals.

Erik Hitzelberger – who has written 194 posts on Part Time REI.