The anticipated lifespan of any countertop material assumes basic care, upkeep, and long-term maintenance. If not treated properly, the lifespan of any material will obviously suffer. If properly maintained, marble or concrete should last around 20 years. Laminate can survive anywhere from 20 to 30 years.
Serious signs of wear and tear can make your entire kitchen look worn and shabby. Any stone countertops eroded down to the wood are also a sure sign for replacement. This might include living room countertops like granite bar tops with ugly etch marks or granite fireplace surround installations with burn marks.
Selecting the most durable option is the best and the most cost-effective choice you can make. With a long-lasting and robust material, you can be sure that you won't need to make another large investment anytime soon. Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation.
Lifespan. Warranties on quartz countertops last from 10 years to the life of your home. In reality, they have the potential to last much longer than your house. The man-made products used in their construction don't break down over time, and the natural materials are all but indestructible.
Your Countertops Are Chipped, Cracked, or Broken
One of the top signs that it's time to replace your kitchen countertops is if they're starting to show signs of wear and tear. You may notice chips on the surface that can't easily be sanded down or cracks throughout the material itself.
The Condition of your Old Countertops
If you're old countertops are a neutral color and in decent condition, it may not make sense to replace them ahead of putting your home on the market. However, if the countertops look dated, are stained or are in poor general condition, they can be a deterrent to selling your home.
Cost of Updating Kitchen Counters
However, estimates can be as low as $400 or clock in well over $8,000 depending on the factors above. Homeowners looking to update their kitchen counters should note that countertops are typically priced by square foot, ranging from $10 to $70 per square foot.
Quartz can be more expensive than other countertops but is generally cheaper than natural stone and other luxury options. It does require professional installation and can discolor when exposed to high temperatures and extensive heat for long periods.
Do you want it to last without spending a lot of time on countertop maintenance? Quartz is a great material but has its drawbacks, including being difficult to install, expensive, vulnerable to heat and having visible seams. Evaluate its pros and cons to make an informed purchase.
Sunlight. Because quartz is made using polyester resin, over time you may start to notice some discolouration - particularly in lighter coloured countertops. On average, it takes less than a year of daily sunlight for a quartz worktop to fade.
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.
What is the most durable material for kitchen countertops? There is some discussion about which is the most durable material for kitchen countertops – but the top two are granite and quartz. Granite is a natural material, with each slab unique, and beautiful colors and veining available.
Quartz is undeniably one of the best countertop materials available in terms of both appearance and durability. While quartz countertops cost less than real marble, which they sometimes mimic, they are still a relatively expensive choice.
Key takeaways. The national average cost to install new countertops at $3,102, with prices ranging typically between $1,859–$4,346. The expected cost of installing new countertops will vary considerably, usually $15 to $70 per square foot, depending on material, labor, dimensions/layout and the kitchen's location.
Typically, granite should be resealed every 12 to 18 months. Nevertheless, there are some other factors that come into play when determining how often to reseal granite countertops.
Deciding on the color of your kitchen countertops can be tricky. Experts recommend working with a lighter countertop than a cabinet for the perfect color blend. This combination makes the countertop installation job ideal for the ultimate kitchen outlook.
You Can't Set Hot Pans on Them
Although quartz countertops are extremely durable and considered heat-resistant, putting a hot pan right on the surface can damage the material. As with most other countertops, you'll need to use a trivet or stove mitt to protect it, as heat can cause discoloration and/or cracking.
Before you decide on a new countertop, make sure you know which color options are available for each material and some creative ways to implement those hues. Homeowners install countertops with hues across the entire spectrum, but the most popular colors are off-white and dark gray.
Quartz is more expensive but more durable, while laminate is less expensive and easily available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Quartz and laminate are both great countertop options — but they're also quite different.
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. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
Daily Cleaning
Fortunately, with quartz countertops, it couldn't be simpler. A quartz countertop is a completely non-porous surface, so liquids and stains won't penetrate the surface. Use a mild soap, such as dishwashing liquid, along with a damp sponge or soft dishcloth. Wipe and rinse.
While white quartz countertops are still in style for many of today's homeowners, a new wave of countertops is on the horizon. That's right, with paint trends leaning warmer, I'm also seeing a LOT of demand for countertops that lean to the WARM side of things vs. the white and gray trend of the last 5-10 years.
After Your New Countertops are Installed
You'll likely be getting new sinks along with your new countertops. For best results, it's generally recommended to wait 24 hours after countertop installation before setting up the sink.
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.