One of the top alternatives to granite countertops is marble due to its timeless design and various patterns. The best part about marble is that it is more affordable than granite. The price of this material per square foot can be between $40 and $100.
Laminate countertops are an inexpensive, low-maintenance alternative to pricey stone and solid-surface countertops, and they are available in many styles that mimic expensive surfaces such as granite or marble.
Quartz countertops are among the best alternatives. Choosing a premium quality quartz manufacturer like Caesarstone will provide homeowners with a worthwhile and valuable option that will last long and won't require much maintenance or upkeep. The cost of granite countertops ranges between $80 to $175 per square foot.
Three of the most popular types of kitchen counter materials—solid surface, quartz, and slab granite—look alike and have many of the same properties. The stone-like appearance and homogeneous composition found in granite are engineered into solid surface and quartz countertops.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.
Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is one of the strongest materials you can use, making it one of the best-value countertops available. Both scratch- and stain-resistant, quartz countertops can look brand new for years even after withstanding heavy usage.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.
Quartz material is uniform throughout, which means the material rarely cracks. Staining: The resins in quartz countertops make them considerably more resistant to staining than granite.
Counterfeit products are available in almost every market. With many types of granite countertops in the market, it can be challenging to spot fake granite at first. You must be careful when choosing a granite countertop to avoid getting duped.
What is Fake Granite? Fake granite is just what it sounds like – countertops that are made to imitate the beauty of the natural stone. Many countertop surfaces can be made to have the look of granite, from engineered stone to laminate to countertops that are even painted to have a granite look.
Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation. Having a durable countertop is a lifelong investment and if you plan to sell your home at some point in the future, its value will be higher if you've used a durable countertop like quartz.
Reasons to be Cautious about Granite Countertops
Granite is porous. This means that unsealed or poorly sealed counters can absorb wine, juice or oil, producing a stain that might be impossible to remove. A poorly-sealed countertop can also harbor bacteria in its pores.
Each slab of granite is different, so it may not be a good choice if you prefer a completely uniform look. Granite itself is expensive, and the labor-intensive installation can run three times more than the cost of the material. Granite can be permanently stained if you seal it with a preexisting stain.
Cons for Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are strong and durable as long as it receives sealing each year. If homeowners are lax in their maintenance, the porous granite can suck up oils, juice, and wine, which will be impossible to remove. Bacteria can also harbor inside granite if not sealed properly.
White marble will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years, and you can prepare food directly on it.
You could be considering finishing, maintenance, staining, durability, color, or any other of the number of aspects that come with different countertop options. But when it comes to specific interests, namely doing high level cooking in the kitchen, top chefs in the world prefer granite countertops.
Quartz. Currently the most popular choice in kitchen countertops, homeowners choose quartz surfacing because of its many advantages. Quartz doesn't need to be sealed, and its seams blend very well.
Solid surface materials such as Corian are fairly easily scratched, but minor scratches and blemishes can be easily buffed out with an abrasive pad. Solid surface materials are softer than granite and thus more difficult to crack, and the material has no vulnerability to etching from acidic materials.
Painting Countertops
This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.
Cost. Corian costs $70 to $130 per square foot. Granite's pricing varies a lot according to appearance and coloring, but most granite goes for $40 to $150 per square foot.
Although granite is still a highly requested kitchen countertop material, some styles are considered outdated. “While granite was a longstanding popular option for homeowners in the '90s and early 2000s, it definitely gives a more dated look in kitchens today – specifically the darker, speckled slabs,” Kaercher claims.
# Absolute Black Granite
Black has always remained one of the favorite colors when it comes to the granite used in the bathroom or kitchen areas. It has been best in adding the bathroom or the kitchen with the contemporary impact of the variation taste.