GRANITE
Characteristics
- The natural stone most often used to make kitchen counters. Wide selection of colours.
Pros
- A sure thing.
- Durable, wear-, heat- and shock-resistant.
Cons
- Colour can vary from section to section.
- Requires resealing once a year to prevent staining.
Cost
$75 to $110 /sq. ft.
SOAPSTONE
Characteristics
- Natural stone.
Pros
- Resists heat well. Won't stain.
Cons
- Scratches easily, but damage can be reduced by sanding.
- Annual application of mineral oil helps preserve colour.
Cost
$95 to $100/sq. ft.
GLASS
Characteristics
- Available in a great variety of colours, shapes and thicknesses.
Pros
- Very durable.
- Heat-resistant.
Cons
- Can stain, scratch or break.
- Recommended only for small areas or backsplashes.
Cost
$110 to $140/sq. ft.
ENGINEERED STONE
Characteristics
- Made mainly from real minerals, usually quartz, mixed with acrylic.
- Available in many shades and also in a new, less glossy finish that looks
like leather.
Pros
- Stain-resistant.
- No joints, therefore smooth and hygienic.
- Patterns and colours are consistent.
- Scratches can be removed with buffing.
- Durable and low-maintenance.
Cons
- More expensive than granite.
Cost
$90 to $120/sq. ft.
Read more in Kitchen & Bath and Buying Guides
You might also enjoy:
Twitter
Facebook
Youtube
RSS
4 Comments
I have a arborite counter top, that have some burn marks on it and I would like to give it a facelift, (am renting my apartment) is there anything that I can do my name Jeannie Palladino user name giopalli giopalli2325@yahoo.ca
I was just speaking to the paint associate in Home Depot about painting laminate counter tops. He did so in his own home to make it appear like granite. He had to re-paint an area once after placing a hot pot on it. He told me it looked genuine and otherwise held up well through the 4 yrs. he continued to live there. Here's what he told me to do: You would need-- -a sand block -paint brush -sponge -1 qt/L of clear sealer -a quart/litre of primer -1 qt/L of high gloss for base coat -1 pot each of 3 other coordinating colours -1 pot of glaze. This comes in qt/L and gallons. Since you will need to mix glaze:paint in a 4:1 ratio, calculate what you'll need. Thoroughly clean the laminate, Lightly sand it. Prime it and let dry. Apply base coat and let dry. Sponge on first faux glaze. Repeat for other 2. When all is dry, coat with a clear sealer. Voila...faux granite!
I recommend that you should buy <a href="http://www.cornerstonehd.com/prefab-granite" rel="external nofollow">prefab granite</a> because it has quality, it has the strongest tab and it will last long. I used it at home. :)
Nowadays solid surface countertops become very popular, so I think those and quartz are the best options http://www.livingstonesurfaces.com