When selecting the best countertop material for your kitchen, bathroom or bar area, you've got a wide selection of choices. And a wide selection of price points! Educating yourself on the options and their costs - both initial investment and lifetime value; will be an effort most worthwhile. In the following paragraphs, we will outline the various options, and demonstrate how granite can be a high-value option, without the high price. Laminate Countertops Let's start with laminate. Laminate countertops are your basic, low priced countertops. Typically manufactured from a plastic laminate material glued to a pressed wood surface, laminate countertops offer a seemingly limitless selection of color and pattern options. Today's laminate may also mimic the look of natural stone with photographic representations of granite, and edges which are similar however you like to those you see on natural stone countertops. But because laminate is the cheapest countertop option, it has its limitations. Laminate is easily damaged, and not easily repaired. Knives and other sharp objects can scratch or gouge laminate, and heat from hot pans and dishes can scorch or bubble its surface. Since laminate is similar to a veneer, there is absolutely no room to buff out damage. Laminate countertops will not last a lifetime, either. You should be prepared to have to replace laminate within 10 to 15 years. Solid Surface Countertops Next we have synthetic solid surface countertops. The most well known solid surface countertop product is Corian. Solid surface countertops are comprised primarily of plastics with flecks of glass, plastic and other materials to provide color and pattern variations. While solid surface countertops usually do not look like natural stone, the do give a seamless look. Because solid surface countertops can be custom fabricated to near any size and specification, long or oddly shaped countertop areas could be covered with one solid piece. Solid surface countertops are scratch and scorch- resistant, and can be repaired if damaged. Lots of people believe that solid surface countertops certainly are a 'step below' granite from an aesthetic perspective, and therefore its pricing may surprise you. Pricing for solid surface countertops; starting at about $40 per linear foot; is really greater than many granite styles! Quartz Countertops Somewhere among natural stone and synthetic countertops is engineered stone, or quartz countertops. DuPont's Zodiaq countertops are a popular quartz countertop choice, and are obtainable in stunning color and pattern variations. Quartz countertops are composed of ground quartz which is blended with coloring, synthetic along with other materials to form a distinctive, natural look not within solid surface countertops. Quartz countertops are pricey, though. With pricing starting at about $45 per linear foot, it too is in fact more expensive than some granite. Recycled Glass Countertops A new countertop option that is gaining popularity is recycled glass countertops. For homeowners choosing to 'go green', recycled glass countertops not merely look good, but feels good! Recycled glass is strictly what the name implies. Used glass of most types and colors is broken and ground, and coupled with adhesive agents and coloring to create one-of-a-kind colors and patterns. But because there are just a few recycled glass countertop manufacturers; and the product is in high demand - pricing is on the high side. Granite Countertops And finally, we've our personal favorite - granite countertops. Granite's elegance is second to none. Head into a kitchen with granite countertops and you will immediately take notice. Because granite is natural stone, its color variances and random patterns are unmatched by any man-made material or process. Helpful resources for granite is fun, too. To find the right granite for the home, you can visit quarries and showrooms that have large slabs to see. By viewing the granite slab in its entirety, you can see wide patterns and variations not visible in small swatches. Granite is highly durable and resistant to staining, scratching or scorching. Granite can be repaired n some cases, unless the damage is deep or cracked throughout. Granite is really a solid value, too. Because it is considered by most to become a luxury item, granite countertops will add resale value to your home. And what most people don't realize is that this 'luxury item' can actually cost a lower amount than other less expensive-looking materials. Save On Granite SAVE WELL ON Granite offers 10 of the very most popular granite styles at just $35 per square foot installed. Of the countertops mentioned above, when it come to price, granite countertops comes in second only to laminate! How's that for value? So after you research your options, visit some showrooms or quarries and speak to others about their experiences, consider granite countertops for the kitchen, bathroom or bar remodeling. You will end up glad you did!
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