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When it comes to countertops, there is no shortage of options with Precision Kitchen and Bath. Whether you choose affordable laminate, or luxurious granite, we'll walk through the process and explain the differences and advantages of each material.
We work very closely with some of the Northeast's largest importers and fabricators of natural and engineered stone.
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GRANITE |
Countertops 101
Dealers price counter surfaces by lineal or square foot, with template, delivery, and installation (quoted in the total price of the countertop. Prices vary depending on texture, color, pattern, intricacy of edging, number of holes, sink type, and seams. Seams affect look and durability, and can lead to water seepage that warps wood and causes laminate to pull away from its substrate. A qualified, certified kitchen designer can help research qualified manufacturers and fabricators.
Heavy countertops, like cement, natural, and engineered stones, are held in place with gravity and fixative, while other counters are screwed and glued. Prices range from $16 per lineal foot for some laminates, to $100 per square foot or more for specialty stones. Since countertop pricing ranges from the economical to the astronomical, it's important to consider longevity, durability, maintenance, and price installed.
Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is a quartz-composite product mixed with colored pebbles, polymers, and epoxy. It has an even pattern and more color options than natural stone. So, if a kitchen calls for more counter space, it's easy to order the same pattern and shade. Engineered stone is an extremely durable product that takes the heat and resists stains. Engineered stone is one-and-a-quarter inches thick, and is installed using epoxy. At $55 to $100 per square foot, engineered stone is as costly as granite. Manufacturers include Cambria , Caesarstone, Zodiac, Silestone etc,
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is chic, contemporary, and noted for its association with professional kitchens. It is stain resistant, and the only surface that can be safely bleached. Newer applications include brushed or textured finishes that help camouflage scratches. Welded stainless-steel sinks create an integrated look, while backsplashes with corrugated patterns create dimension. Stainless steel, when attached to a wood substrate, becomes more sound resistant. Regular rolled edges, bullnose, or Marine edges (no drip), are standard. Stainless steel runs anywhere from $100 to $200 per square foot. More About: Stainless Steel Countertops
Stone
Natural stone needs to be seamed, is typically sealed to protect it from damage and stains, and sells for anywhere from $50 to $120 per square foot installed. Granite is quarried worldwide, with colors and patterns that reveal the region and the geological conditions that created it. "These are wild creations of nature," says Stephanie Witt, former president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. With granite, each slab is unique, with random and inconsistent patterns. Buyers may visit the fabricator to select their own slabs. Granite is graded for a host of variables including density, strength, water absorption, and acid resistance. Granite tiles are less costly but have more seams, while a 3/4-inch granite sheet can also be purchased and applied to a wood substrate for the same look at less cost and weight.
Marble is less stain-resistant and more porous than granite, so it may be damaged by acidic foods. New England slate, from New York , Vermont , and Maine , is durable, non-porous, and requires no sealing. Certified kitchen designer Diane Tardif, owner of Woodstock Kitchens and Baths in Vermont , favors slate for breakfast bars and counters. "The beauty of slate is that it comes to room temperature," she says. Natural stone runs from $50 to $120 per square foot, with black slate, followed by red slate as the most expensive.
Solid Surfacing
Solid surface countertops offer seamless acrylic faces with seams that are only visible from the underside. With solid surfacing, sink and counter materials can be integrated to create a fluid, graceful line. Solid surfaces come in a rainbow of colors, patterns, and styles, including stone and glass look-alikes. They are stain and heat resistant, with more edging and border options than natural stone. Scratches are easily softened with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad. Manufacturers include Corian, Hi Macs, Staron, Gibralter etc.
Laminate
Laminate countertops are economical and come in a host of colors and patterns, but they are not built to last. Laminate is not scratch or heat resistant, but it is stain resistant. For a nominal cost, manufacturers such as Wilsonart and Nevamar will upgrade a surface to extend the life of the laminate. Laminate is glued onto an inch-and-a-half particleboard base and can be constructed using a home store's standard blank. Fancy edges like bevels and curves must be custom ordered, however. For cosmetic revamps, sheets of laminate can be glued to the existing particleboard substrate. With Counter-seal, under-mount sinks are also an option with laminate countertops. Manufacturers include Wilsonart, Formica, Nevamar, Pionite, etc.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile remains a popular and economical option. It is scratch and heat resistant, but high maintenance, since the grout needs to be sealed regularly for optimal stain protection. Ceramic tile runs from $11 to $30 per square foot. Keep in mind that undertaking a laminate or tile installation can be a nightmare, so its best to do the homework first.
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