Laminate is the most affordable material for use in countertops. It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, many of which are created to look like granite, marble or other high-end materials. Most laminate countertops are attractive and surprisingly durable.
Granite, marble and engineered solid surface stone are the best quartz alternatives as far as durability and cost.
Cheap: Laminate Countertops
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.
Wood. While marble or granite can give off a cold look, wood or butcher-block counters add warmth to a kitchen. Wood has the added benefit of being significantly cheaper than stone. Bamboo and maple are popular choices, but a range of other woods are available as well.
Laminate is a popular choice for countertops because it's inexpensive and it comes in many different colors and patterns. Unlike solid surface countertops like granite or stone, installing laminate countertops is an approachable DIY project. There are several ways to install laminate countertops in your home.
While granite is more expensive than Corian, the price difference isn't that great. Corian costs $40-150 per square foot, while the price of slab granite starts at $40 and can reach up to $200. There's also installation to consider, and the cost often varies from region to region.
Quartz and granite countertops are priced similarly per square foot, with granite counters having the wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, based on the availability of a color and pattern.
Corian is cheaper than quartz upfront. You can expect to pay between $40 and $65 per square foot for Corian while quartz starts at $40 and can extend well beyond $200 per square foot.
Quartz is generally less expensive.
But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite's price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.
Ceramic tile is one of the best options to consider when you are replacing your kitchen countertops on a budget. Moreover, they are easy to install, and you can easily DIY them. You can also get several styles and design options while choosing it. The only drawback is that you will have to deal with the grout lines.
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.
Quartz is less expensive.
Expect to pay $60 to $150 per square foot (installed) for quartz countertops and $70 to $200 per square foot (installed) for quartzite. The price difference is due to the increased complexity of transforming mined quartzite into slabs.
Quartz takes first place in terms of durability. Made of crushed quartz stone mixed with polymers and resin, this artificially engineered stone countertop is an extremely durable surface that resembles natural stone.
Corian Countertop Costs
Corian countertops cost between $45 and $65 per square foot. Labor costs for installing these counters average $75 per hour. The total cost of installing Corian counters in a home is about $3,500.
Some quartz makers sell exclusively through big-box stores; other slabs are available only through independent kitchen and bath showrooms.
While Corian® Solid Surface is heat resistant, as with all countertop materials, it is important to minimize direct heat exposure to protect your surface and investment. Important — Do not place hot pots, pans, etc. directly on the countertop surface.
The biggest difference between quartz and quartzite is that quartz is a man-made material, while quartzite is a natural stone. A quartzite countertop begins as sandstone, which under a natural process of heat and pressure is fused with sparkly quartz crystals to form quartzite.
Granite Countertops
Long considered the obvious choice for solid surface countertops, Granite has become less on-trend in recent years, especially with the growth of more natural and beautiful man-made surfaces such as Quartz and Dekton.
No, you can't use disinfecting wipes on quartz countertops. Disinfecting wipes contain citric acid as their primary ingredient and are not diluted in any way. When you use these wipes to clean your countertop, they will weaken the seal on your countertop's surface leaving them vulnerable to discoloration.
Clorox, whether it is Clorox wipes or the Multi-Purpose cleaning fluid, is not safe to use for cleaning and disinfecting your granite. The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones.
Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
In terms of durability, Corian countertops tend to be more easily damaged by hot surfaces than natural stone. It's also more prone to scratches than surfaces like quartz and granite.
Solid surface countertops range in cost based on the quality, with basic options costing around $20 per square foot and premium countertops costing about $50 per square foot. $20 - $50 per sq. ft.
Also known as engineered stone, quartz countertops are the result of natural minerals combined with resins. It's a more natural choice than solid surface countertops but is not quite as natural as marble, granite, or other stones.