Whether you are looking to sell your Austin home or simply wanting to enjoy it more, adding new kitchen countertops can be a wise investment. In some cases it might merely be a case of needing to give your kitchen an updated look or perhaps you are ready to take the overall appeal to the next level. In either case, there are more affordable choices than ever before and they are showing up in kitchens, old and new, all over Austin. So you want to make a change in your kitchen countertops, but where to begin? Let’s see if we can’t do a little homework for you and at least get your search started in the right direction.
Least Expensive - $20 to $30 per foot installed.
Laminate which has been around for years and still to this day can do a good basic job for those on a budget. It’s easily the most affordable of the options available and is simple to take care of and clean. The major downside for most homeowners is it lacks the ability most of the time to make a kitchen really stand out. But it is now offered in colors and finishes that can somewhat mimic more expensive countertops like granite.
Laminate kitchen countertops are made from several layers bonded together under pressure and heat and then they are glued to plywood or particle board. They have a high resistance to stains and heat but keep in mind that they do not hold up as well to knife cuts or scratches as well as some other coverings.
There are different grades of laminates so be sure that you don’t simply choose the cheapest ones because they will be without a doubt less resistant to scratches than those that are higher priced and could end up costing you more in the long run.
Moderately Priced – $50 to $80 per foot installed.
Solid Surface countertops are actually made of acrylic but they come in literally hundreds of colors and finishes. They are also easy to clean and maintain and are the only choice if you are looking for a truly built in sink with no seams which can create a very smooth look. They also do a good job of resisting mold and bacteria growth something that can be very important.
Solid surface materials can look like the much more expensive granite but the difference is that these countertops are man made while the granite is natural. These materials come in a variety of colors with the solid surface being available in solid and multi colors. Also since it very expensive to take out these countertops and replace them, make sure that you are happy with your choice before installation begins. They are not as easy as laminate countertops to switch out and replace later.
Most Expensive – $50 to $100 (and more) per foot installed.
Quartz countertops are beginning to appear in more and more Austin area homes thanks to their high end look and outstanding durability. They are naturally hard with only a diamond or sapphire being harder than quartz. Natural quartz is mixed with epoxy binders that make it almost indestructible. Therefore, quartz countertops are extremely scratch resistant and impervious to moisture or water. In fact quartz countertops simply can’t be penetrated by liquids of any type and they also will not crack. Bacteria may grow on the surface of a quartz kitchen countertop, but it won’t be able to penetrate the countertop itself. So, as you can see, quartz countertops require little maintenance. A simple wipe down and they are clean as can be.
But quartz kitchen countertops, as you probably can imagine, are very heavy. They have to be installed in your kitchen by professionally trained and certified technicians who have install them every day in Austin area homes.
Granite has long been the choice for many a high end home and that certainly continues today. The elegant look of granite comes with a high resistance to scratching or scorching or staining. It also ranks near the top for suppressing mold and mildew and while in the past it required sealing, most brands now come pre-sealed and ready to go.
Granite will usually come in three or four tiers to choose from. The first tier will be the premium or high end and of course sell for the most. How do they decide which stones go in which tier? Everything from the country of origin to the patterns to the thickness of the slab all come into play. However granite from lower tiers can be just as beautiful and durable as the slabs in the upper groupings so it pays to look around and not just choose the most or less expensive.
New kitchen countertops are a somewhat easy and affordable way to increase the value of your home while at the same time allowing you to enjoy it even more. A home that might have an overall dated look can instantly be brought up to speed with new countertops. Remodeling the kitchen is dollar for dollar the best investment you can make in your home.
For more great home ideas or if you are looking to buy or sell a home, please contact a top Austin realtor.
This article was written on behalf of Brian Talley of Regent Property Group LLC, providing an updated list of Austin homes for sale. Brian provides Austin texas real estate services to those buying or selling an Austin home and is a top Austin real estate agent.