How to Save on Kitchen Countertops: Cooking Deals
The kitchen really is the heart of home. It is more than just the spot where meals are prepared. It’s the place where friends gather. It’s the room where the kids do their homework. It’s the spot where the dog settles next to your legs while you do the dishes. When you’re spending that kind of quality time in a room you want it to be comfortable, relaxing and attractive. That’s why kitchen remodels are such popular home projects. Updated spaces with new appliances and new finishes are beautiful places.
Maybe your home is older and you’d like to modernize the kitchen. Maybe you scrimped and saved to buy that first home and everything in your price range was badly in need of a kitchen re-do. Maybe your kitchen was done in a palette of colors you can’t stand (looking at you avocado green). No matter what’s the reason behind it you are changing things up in your kitchen but you want to do it on a budget. This is your guide for how to start saving money but still end up with beautiful kitchen countertops.
Choose the Countertop Materials Carefully
The materials you select will have a huge impact on how much your new countertops will cost and what you will have to save to get them. Your choices range from natural stones to plastic surfaces to wood or concrete. Let’s quickly get through all of them so you can see what options you have and how you can save by choosing the right material.
Laminate
Laminate countertops are usually the most budget-friendly countertop options. These are the counters you have probably known as Formica throughout your life. Formica, like Kleenex, is a brand.
Today’s laminate countertops come in a dizzying array of colors and patterns. Some laminate countertops look like real granite or marble. Others mimic stainless steel.
You have to be careful with laminate counters not to cut things without a cutting board because laminate shows cut marks.
It is also not suitable for setting down a hot pan or pot. Laminate plastic will burn if it comes into contact with heat.
Laminate countertops can chip if mistreated.
Laminate countertops are made out of plastic that is adhered to either particleboard or kraft paper.
Solid Surface
Solid Surface countertops were created as an alternative to laminate that looked a little bit more like natural stone. The first solid surface countertops were created by duPont and marketed as Corian.
If you cut through a solid surface counter it is the same density from top to bottom. That’s different from natural stones like granite and marble that are irregular throughout because of the way they are formed in nature.
Solid surface countertops are susceptible to cut marks from knives and can’t handle hot pots and pans.
But one of their selling features is that solid surface can be installed seamlessly. An installer can even create a sink out of solid surface materials that will blend in with the counters.
Once duPont’s patent on Corian countertops expired, other companies began manufacturing them as well. One way to save on kitchen countertops is to price out Corian’s other competitors.
Ceramic Tile
Tile countertops are made from clay tiles that are fired at a high temperature and then glazed. That makes them strong enough to stand up to both high heat and stains.
Tiles can be cut into custom sizes and patterns to fit the space in the kitchen.
Solid color tiles are the most affordable and custom tiles cost more.
Ceramic tile countertops require some elbow grease to keep the grout between them clean. Most tile experts recommend scouring powder or a bleach-based cleaner to keep the grout sparkling.
Ceramic tile countertops are very easy to repair. If a tile breaks or becomes damaged, it is easy enough to simply pop out one and replace it.
Butcher Block
Butcher block countertops are a warm choice for any kitchen. They are made of wood glued together in different patterns.
They are often made of maple, but can also be fashioned from cherry, red oak or even bamboo.
Because they are soft, butcher block counter owners usually use an actual butcher block cutting board on top of them for working with knives.
For food preparation, the experts usually recommend an unsealed surface that is maintained with oil. On the average the butcher block countertops need to be oiled every six months.
If butcher block countertops become scratched, burned or damaged in another way, they can be lightly sanded and then oiled. But butcher block countertops around the sink can be subject to water stains and rot.
Butcher block will develop a patina as it is used and it ages. So it won’t always look like it did on the day it was installed.
6 alternatives to high end marble countertops
Metal
Metal countertops aren’t metal the whole way through.
They are actually made from sheets of metal that are attached to wood or another backing.
Metal countertops are hygienic because they are non-porous and won’t absorb anything that is spilled on them. Metal countertops stand up to stains and are waterproof.
Metal countertops can give a modern, restaurant feel to a kitchen. While they are usually made of stainless steel, metal countertops can also be fashioned from copper, zinc and pewter. Each metal offers a different look at the beginning and ages differently.
Concrete
Thanks to the farmhouse craze and a certain home design power couple in Waco, Texas, concrete countertops are a thing.
Concrete counters offer a rustic, yet industrial feeling.
And while they are durable, they are also porous. That means they will show stains and scratches and might even harbor bacteria.
Much like concrete driveways, concrete countertops are prone to cracking. The good news is that they can be easily repaired if that happens.
Concrete countertops also have a patina that changes with time. And they should be resealed every few years.
Stone Countertops
But what if you have your heart set on a natural stone like granite, marble or quartz? You can still save on kitchen countertops even if you select one of those pricier choices.
Granite
Granite is a favorite countertop material because of its durability and its beauty. Granite is an igneous rock that is formed from molten lava deep within the Earth’s crust. As the lava cools is crystallizes and that causes the specks that are visible to the eye.
Not all granite is created equally. There is a loose grading system for granite but since it is not regulated the grades can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
In general, granite is graded on its thickness, color, veins, marks and the country where it came from.
Level 1 Granite- Also called builder-grade or commercial grade. This granite is a thinner cut and the color and markings are not very dramatic. Level 1 granite is usually sourced from China.
Level 2 Granite- These pieces of granite are usually ¾” thick or more. The colors and patterns are usually widely available. This tier of granite usually comes from India or Brazil.
Level 3 Granite- This classification of granite is for the most unusual and rare colors, markings and patterns.
Level 1 granite is the least expensive granite and Level 3 costs the most.
Marble
Marble countertops are a classic, timeless choice. Marble is found in the oldest layers of the earth’s crust. The veining patterns in it come from mineral deposits.
While marble is beautiful, it also has to be handled with care. Marble is prone to nicks and scratches, it can chip easily, it is not heat resistant and it can stain.
Red pasta sauce and red wine are the enemies of marble. Acids, like lemon juice, eat away at marble’s finish.
It is possible to lightly sand imperfections in marble and make them disappear.
Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is a performer in the kitchen.
It is made in a factory from crushed stone, usually quartz, which is why they are often simply referred to as quartz countertops.
The engineered stone is very strong and durable. It resists heat damage and staining.
The natural stone choices in countertops are all more expensive than plastic, metal and wood.
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Saving On Stone Countertops
So how can you save on kitchen countertops even if you select stone?
Shop Around- It pays to shop around for stone countertops. They are available everywhere from specialty countertop companies to big box home improvement retailers. Take into account the pricing for the stone you have chosen plus the cost of installation.
Look for Remnants- Often stone retailers that have remnant pieces available for purchase. These are usually left-over pieces that were cut during other projects.
Keep an Open Mind- When shopping for granite countertops be open to different colors and patterns. When you see the price differences you may decide that a less expensive counter will be just as beautiful in your kitchen.
Consider Granite Tiles- Granite tiles are a cost-effective way to get the look and the durability of granite at a cheaper price. Granite tiles come in 12 and 16-inch squares. They have to be adhered to a backing and there will be grout lines between each tile.
Buy Locally- Granite is extremely heavy and can be cost-prohibitive to ship. Local delivery will be cheaper.
Select Less Expensive Edge- Granite countertops that are finished with decorative edges. If you want to save on kitchen countertops you should select the straight edge which is usually standard. Curved, decorative or custom edges will generally cost more money.
Modular Granite- Modular granite is the step between big slabs of granite and smaller granite tiles. Modular granite is thinner than the granite found in full slabs and is sold in pieces that are counter-depth. Modular granite lets you save on kitchen countertops by giving you a natural stone with fewer seams than granite tiles. Generally, colors and patterns are limited in modular granite.
Save On Installation
There are ways to cut costs on countertop installation:
You may be able to save on kitchen countertops by doing your own demolition. Ripping out the old counters and giving your installer a blank slate may save you money.
If you are extremely handy one of the ways to cut bills on your kitchen remodel may be by installing your own granite tile or ceramic tile countertop. This may require some saw skills and experience with grout.
Big box home improvement stores also sell pre-cut laminate and wood counters that are meant for DIY installation projects.
Freshen Up Your Existing Countertops
You don’t have to tear out your countertops and install new ones for a fresh look. Creative DIYers can work with what they have and stay on-budget.
Paint
With the right primer and sealer you may be able to add a layer of glossy melamine paint to your existing countertops. Chalkboard paint is another option. You can create a look of faux stone by using sponges to dab on paint or paint with feathers to mimic the look of veining in real stone.
Contact Paper
Contact paper comes in many choices that look like marble or granite. This stick-on option requires a straight edge, a sharp knife and a tool that presses away air bubbles under the surface.
Mix And Match Countertops
One way to save on kitchen countertops is to splurge on a high-end material in small doses. Maybe you have always wanted marble but can’t afford to do it throughout the entire kitchen. Maybe you can budget enough to do the island in marble so that it becomes the centerpiece of the kitchen. Then you can use a more budget-friendly solid surface material on the countertops around the rest of the kitchen. It is very on-trend in kitchen design to mix things up in cabinets and countertops.
The Ikea Experience
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It’s not possible to explore how to save on kitchen countertops and every other part of the kitchen without talking about Ikea. This big-box Swedish retailer offers kitchen materials at a low cost. The countertop selection includes choices in laminate, wood, acrylic, and quartz. And many of them are pre-cut and ready to be loaded into your car right there on the spot after you’ve enjoyed a plate of Swedish meatballs with some lingonberry juice on the side.
The laminate countertop options at Ikea include designs that mimic wood or concrete. These counters are available in different thicknesses.
Wood counters are available in oak, birch, walnut and beech finishes. All of Ikea’s wooden countertops are built around a foamboard core.
Ikea has some custom countertop choices in acrylic and quartz. The pricing on those counters is determined by thickness and the grade of the materials.
The first step to buying and installing Ikea countertops is to pick up the kitchen planning brochure. It guides you through one of the most important parts of any remodeling project – measuring the space. Ikea also has an online kitchen planner on their website that allows you to work in 3D. Before purchasing the countertops you should visit with an in-store kitchen planner who will review your plans.
Ikea designs all of its kitchen products to be installed by the homeowner.
YouTube is full of videos about these installations. If you shopped at Ikea to save on kitchen countertops but are not confident in your ability to install them, Ikea does partner with third-party companies who can do countertop installations.
Conclusion
Kitchen countertops can be one of the most striking design accents in the room. Counters come in so many styles, colors, designs and surfaces, one of them is sure to be perfect for both your design and your wallet. The most budget-friendly options include plastic laminate, solid surface, ceramic tile, wood and metal. Plastic laminate counters come in designs that mimic wood, metal and stone. Solid-surface counters were created to be an alternative to natural stone.
Granite, marble and quartz are higher-end countertop surfaces. They are prized for their durability and their beauty. If you shop carefully for these natural stones you can still save on kitchen countertops. The price of granite is based on the thickness of the slab as well as the grade or level of the pattern. Certain colors and patterns are rarer and will be more expensive. But there are entry-level granite choices.
There are also some DIY choices for the handiest homeowners who want to save on kitchen countertops. Existing countertops can be painted or covered in contact paper. Granite tile, ceramic tile and pre-cut laminate or wood countertops don’t necessarily require a professional installer.
While you want to save on kitchen countertops and not deplete your savings, you also want to make selections that are durable and beautiful. Weigh the cost of the counters against what you expect to gain from them over the years, taking into consideration your financial status. Pick counters that will still make you smile five or ten or even fifteen years down the road.