Susan’s Home Safari

This is a question often asked of home owners when they are contemplating remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms. I would like to share the pros and cons of the different types of surface materials you may consider using to replace your old counter tops. First thought should be your budget and the purpose of why you are replacing the counter tops. If you have a limited budget or are planning on the use of the counter tops being used by renters, I would recommend installing laminate counter tops. They are inexpensive, can look very stylish, and are easily replaced. Laminate does have its downfalls. Abrasive cleaners can scratch, knives can easily cut into it, and hot pans can warp it and melt the finish. It is usually stain resistant, but not always. The other popular choices are granite, tile, concrete, and solid surface.

Concrete countertops in some regions are currently very popular in the very upscale homes, but it is becoming a fading fad. Having concrete countertops installed can sometimes be more expensive than granite. They are more porous, less refined, and can wear unevenly- but to some that is part of the charm of having this type of counter top. It’s important that it is sealed properly because if not, oil and water can seep in staining the surface making it darker than other areas. If you were to replace the concrete in the future, there is the risk of damaging the cabinets because of the rebar in the concrete.

Tile countertops are also a very nice countertop and can vary in price depending on the individual tile chosen. Tile is non-staining and will not scratch, but it can chip and break easily. It is heat resistant, grout can be a problem with cleaning or wearing away, and is slightly more expensive than laminate.

Solid surface countertops are usually acrylic and polyester plastics. They are usually non-porous and stain resistant. Scratches can usually be repaired easily. It is fairly durable, requires proper sealing to prevent staining, and comes in wide variety of colors (sometimes even trying to resemble granite). It can be expensive, sometimes more than granite.

Granite counter tops are an excellent choice in my opinion. Granite is quarried all over the world with many various colors and patterns to choose from. Some of the natural patterns are quite beautiful and are definitely one of a kind. They are usually more expensive than the other products, but their longevity adds value. This is the most common stone used for countertops. It doesn’t scratch easily or burn and is very durable. I love the fact that you can put a hot pot on the countertop and not have to worry about damaging the surface. But beware, don’t put a hot ceramic item on granite because it will crack the item(hot tile on cold stone). Granite will need to be sealed at least once a year to prevent water stains in areas where it is wet often. Granite slab in my opinion is better than granite tile for resale value because again- you have a grout issue with it being tiled. Granite tile is less expensive and you can easily install it yourself versus granite slab. But I personally know that you can have granite slab installed fairly inexpensively if you shop around. The beauty of granite will always sell itself.

Whatever countertop you choose, please think of the future such as is this countertop surface going to enhance resale value and/or can it be easily replaced when it’s no longer in good condition. If you would like to give your comments about the pros and cons of each of these countertops-feel free to do so here. If you would like me to share more information about how to improve your home for resale, I’d love to hear from you.