One of the best parts of building a new construction homes is the ability to choose. From the homesite, to the floorplan, to all of the exterior and interior fixtures, you can pick options that perfectly reflect your lifestyle and personality. While all of these opportunities to choose are an incredible way to create your dream home, they can also seem like a daunting task. Walking into a Builder’s design studio can be both inspiring and overwhelming. Having a broad sense of what options would work best for you (and your budget) going into your home design appointment can help you save both time and stress. Below is a consumer-tested list compiled by Houselogic of durable countertop options that your builder will most likely include in their available options. Consider these choices when thinking ahead of time about your kitchen. You’ll want a kitchen counter that will work hard for you so keep these pros, cons and prices in mind.
1. Quartz
Super durable and sleek-looking, crushed quartz is combined with resign to produce a natural/man-made counter that is stronger than natural stone. Quartz is available in solid colors or with a natural granite-style appearance.
Price: ($76 to $103 per square foot with installation)
Pros: Quartz can withstand almost any kitchen activity such as knife cuts. Quartz will resist staining and bacteria without any sealing.
Cons: Quartz comes with a hefty price tag. It also doesn’t withstand heat as well as granite or crushed glass. Seams can visible, particularly if you select a lighter color. Direct sunlight can also lead to discoloration over a period of time.
2. Granite
Attractive in appearance and for future resale, granite is often tabbed as a kitchen “must have.”With stunning colors, you’re sure to find a shade of granite that compliments any style of kitchen.
Price: ($52 to $144 per square foot without installation)
Pros: Granite is durable, resisting cracks and chipping. It can also withstand heat should place a hot pot directly on it. Applying sealer annually will make granite stain-resistant.
Cons: Granite is not immune to blunt trauma, accidental pressure can chip an edge that will require you to polish it down. If not properly sealed, oil can seep into the stone and requires a poultice for removal. Granite is also prone to natural variation since it is not a man-made product. The representative slab of granite that you see on display might look very different from the piece installed in your new kitchen.
3. Crushed (Recycled) Glass
Eco-friendly and relatively new Crushed Glass is durable in performance and unique in appearance. Made from recycled glass such as wine and beer bottles it comes in two basic designs: set in acrylic, giving the glass a floating appearance, or set in cement giving the glass a shiny mosaic look.
Price: ($100 to $250 per square foot with installation)
Pros: Fairly low maintenance, nonporous and will maintain color. It will also not burn, chip, scratch, or stain. Whereas granite is porous and requires sealing. Quartz does not require sealing however color may fade over time.
Cons: Pricing. If something heavy is placed on an edge it may crack. Acidic foods (i.e., citrus) can damage the acrylic if not wiped away.
4. Laminate
A combination of paper and plastic, laminate is available in nearly every color and pattern imaginable.
Price: ($18 to $38 per square foot without installation)
Pros: You can’t beat the price and you’ll be able to find a style that mimics what you’re looking for perfectly (from wood to granite) or is the perfect shade to match your cabinets and walls. Laminate is low-maintenance and stain-resistant. The options for edge finishes have improved vastly in recent years.
Cons: Laminate can crack, scratch and scorch. Replacing it is also typically easier than repair it. Laminate can also be a turn-off for potential buyers when you go to sell your home later on down the road. Per the National Association of Home Builders, 40% of prospective buyers would shy away from a home with laminate counters.
5. Tile
Tile comes in both porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain is considered the most durable because it is harder, denser, tougher, and less porous than ceramic tile. Tile is versatile offers an endless selection of size, styles and colors allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind look.
Price: (Porcelain, $3 to $15 and ceramic $5 to $32, both per square foot without installation)
Pros: Easy to clean, durable and resists cuts, stains, and heat. If a tile cracks, it’s easily replaced. It is recommended storing extra tiles in case of cracking so your tiles will match if replacement is needed down the road.
Cons: Cracks easily. Provides an uneven surface. Grout lines become hard to keep clean and, if not annually sealed, becomes a breeding ground for bacteria growth. In case of a cracked tile, replacement tile may not match unless extra tiles (same lot #) were not stored after installation.
6. Solid Surfacing
Often referred to by brand-name Corian, solid-surfacing is a manufactured countertop that combines acrylic, polyester resins and marble dust.
Price: ($60 to $97 per square foot without installation)
Pros: Solid-surface counters are available in a variety of patterns and colors. Since it is nonporous no special sealers or cleaners are required. Should solid-surface scratch, it is easy to sand out. It can also be molded into seamless backsplashes or for an integrated sink bowl.
Cons: Nearly as much as quartz or granite, it might lead buyers to question if it is truly comparable with the other two. Solid-surfaces can scratch and burn fairly easily. Its manufacture is also an energy-intensive process that uses non-renewable resources. These factors, combined with it being difficult to recycle, exclude it as a potential “green” choice.
Other countertop considerations are Butcher Block and Soapstone, Limestone and Marble.
Still not sure which style of countertop is right for you? Just ask your Builder’s Design Consultant! They are trained to help buyers through this process and can guide you to the appropriate choice that will be perfect for your new kitchen.
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Tagged as: Design Tips
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