Remodeling kitchens is possibly essentially the most well-known type of residence improvement projects that folks are choosing to do nowadays. The big thing besides new cabinets and appliances is redoing countertops. Definitely a brand new granite countertop can add style to any kitchen but is it the most effective choice for you. Consumer Reports (Aug 2007) did a recent write-up on discovering the top kitchen countertop based on many factors, however it favored those varieties which are resistant to stains, scratches, and heat. The 10 ten surfaces researched by CR were quartz, granite, marble, ceramic tile, concrete, stainless steel, limestone, solid surface, butcher's block, and laminate. Tile and laminate are the cheapest from $10 to $30 per sq ft while concrete and stainless steel can go as much as $120 per sq/ft.
You can find dozens of internet sites and magazine articles on which kitchen countertops are the top including Bobvila.com, Lowes.com, Keidel.com. Most provide pros and cons connected with each and every countertop kind and what the costs are for each. Quartz countertops have lately gained some popularity amongst homeowners considering that they're fairly much a worry-free style when compared to granite. The big advantages to utilizing quartz countertops is that they require no resealing and you will find they are stronger than granite. Quartz surfaces are considered an engineered stone that is man-made with 93% quartz and 7% resin binders and pigments. Quartz runs about $50-$90 per square foot installed and a number of the key brands names are Zodiac, Cambria, Silestone, and Legacy. For a great head to head comparison of what to anticipate from your countertops go to Lowes countertop purchasing guide HERE. You'll locate some educational pointers on the benefits and disadvantages of each and every styles of countertop. The Lowes site also presents an interactive countertop designer on their website which lets you pick a color of tile and see what it looks like installed. 1 caveat that Consumer Reports points out and so do numerous authorities is that whenever feasible, get down to the stone yard yourself to pick out your slab. You could like one you see in the showroom, but the actual product may well vary slightly when ordered. Be sure that the fabricator does the measuring around your sink or cooktop so in case anything is carried out incorrectly it is on them and not you. Go with what you feel fits your residence decor and individual style. Don't be afraid to splurge a bit considering that most genuine estate professionals claim that you simply get back about 80-90% of a kitchen remodel whenever you sell the residence.
Finest Kitchen Countertop:
For sheer looks, granite possibly gets the nod for best kitchen countertop but when it comes to functionality (resisting stains and requiring minimal care) quartz wins out. Quartz countertops do nicely in kitchens because they hold up against heat, scratches and stains. Granite is close, but calls for resealing every single three years or so which quartz doesn't. Quartz is mold and mildew resistant as well meaning it's a fantastic alternative for a food-safe environment. There are plenty of colors and styles to select from though seams might be visible. One of the biggest positive aspects to having quartz countertops may be the amount of care (or lack thereof) necessary to preserve them. For those who have a busy kitchen at house and cook inside your home the majority of the time, quartz is really a far better selection than granite. Expect to invest somewhere in between $2500 and $5000 for a regular sized kitchen.
Greatest Value Countertop:
Want new countertops but do not desire to purchase granite or quartz. Contemplate the new laminate countertops or ceramic tiles. Laminate is pretty very good at resisting stains or heat damage along with the cost is reasonable at $10 to $30 per square foot installed. It will scratch very easily so higher care is required on this surface but at $1600 for an average sized kitchen it's a bargain. Ceramic tiles is what I own currently (searching into granite or quartz) and I need to say they have held up nicely with no chipping. The 1 drawback is that the grout between the tiles has stained over the years and it's practically impossible to clean it. It was a low cost alternative for the original kitchen and nonetheless provides excellent value, but I feel we will be upgrading to granite soon.
