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Top 10 Countertops: Prices Pros And Cons

In fact, many people who have already been through the process of installing a new countertop in their kitchen or bathroom will readily attest that it’s not at all an easy choice! If you have not faced any major remodeling decisions before, then you should know that all modern countertops have their inherent strengths and flaws. In this guide, will cover the top ten most common materials for countertop surfaces. There are some places carrying granite slabs as large as 12 feet long for those extra long open-space kitchens.
Granite Vs. Quartz Budget, Seams And Installers | Duration 2 Minutes 21 Seconds As with all countertops, it has some advantages and disadvantages. Its consistent look and pattern allows the seams to blend more easily. For an eco-friendly, rustic style, reclaimed wood can be used. It would cause scratches, chipping and damage to the surface. Although concrete is practically indestructible, its porous nature makes it easily stained. Although it’s technically a thermo-laminate, nanotech matte material is in a class of its own. It comes in a variety of 14 decors – eight plain colors, three iridescents, two wood grains and one stone, all with a matte finish. Though, some of the muted colors and patterns would easily work with a traditional style as well. No need to worry about hot pots and pans being placed directly on the surface. However, this hardworking surface isn’t impervious to all damage. Of course, some homeowners will see the patina effect as an added charm! This metamorphic rock comes in various shades of gray, blue and green with some marbling. It only becomes a pro or con when you overlay those characteristics against your needs. It’s not at all surprising that many homeowners are easily dazed and confused by the wide array of choices and options. It’s up to you to decide which particular factors and material characteristics are most important to you. It’s a natural stone, so every individual slab is 100% unique in its hue, pattern and shading. It’s a very hard, impervious to water drops or moisture stone quarried out of the earth, ground into small pieces, mixed together in a sheet layer and held together in a resin as part of its manufacturing process. Quartz is a nonporous pre-engineered material, so it doesn’t need to be sealed. A hot pot can be sat on the counter, but it can’t be left there for very long, as the heat will react with the resin and leave a burn mark! The seamless material provides a durable, hygienic and nonporous surface. Choose a stone pattern for a warm, traditional decor, white or black for a minimalist style or brighter colors for a more eclectic look. Various types of wood and finishes can be used to fit different decor and lifestyles. For a modern or more carefree wood countertop, you can finish the wood surface with a waterproof varnish. Other options are to have a separate chopping block or have one built in. Or, if your tastes are more modern, you can choose to go with bolder, brighter colors and patterns. Also, the hard surface can be tough on glasses, dishware and flatware when used in the kitchen. They can also be made from new or recycled materials and come in a variety of colors. Plus, the nonporous material prevents the harboring of bacteria and stains. Its name comes from the soft, or soapy, feel of its surface caused by the presence of talc in the stone. Unlike granite, it’s nonporous, stain resistant and can stand up to acidic materials. Since it’s non porous it doesn’t need to be sealed and is virtually maintenance free. However, the scratches tend to add character to the stone, and can be ea sily buffed away with sandpaper if desired. It’s a one-time investment that will not only outlive you, but will also look better as time goes by. Also, the pros and cons are just characteristics of each countertop.

Small Kitchen Remodel Reveal! by theinspiredroom.net

So for those of you who want to read, you’ll find some commentary throughout. The housing market was (and is still) crazy in this area, so it felt like a miracle that we were able to get a house at all. We considered all sorts of options for how to approach a kitchen remodel, but we ultimately made the decision that the best plan was to demo the existing elements but leave the basic layout, location and size as it was. The not-totally-open kitchen also keeps the dinner mess pretty much out of view from the main living areas. We did make a few intentional changes to the space that made a dramatic difference in how the space feels and is perceived in the house. The two small existing doorways were demoed and altered to be open rounded/arched openings.

Ceramic Tile Backsplash In A Kitchen Remodel Projects In Al | Duration 1 Minutes 38 Seconds The ceiling is covered in tongue and v-groove cedar planks with visible knots. We decided to switch out the existing window above the sink area for a round window for a few reasons. The round window created a really nice focal point for the sink area, but painting the woodwork white keeps this area from visually overpowering the view out the back window, the “other” important focal point you notice and can enjoy while you’re in the space! This door pretty much determined every other decision in the room. So, the door gets to steal a bit of attention in its own way! In this kitchen we were getting a brand new cabinet, but the cabinet size that fit into the space would accommodate a 36 inch sink (the cabinet is slightly bigger than the sink). It’s the right proportion for below the window and is wonderful for watering plants and washing pots, pans, baking sheets. After another long period of indecision (ha) we decided on white cabinets for a clean look that could be easily updated with accessories. Our counters go right up to the window, making it pretty seamless and really easy to clean. I put wall sconces in our last kitchen and they added so much ambience and warmth to the room. It also gracefully hides a lot of daily grime that tends to happen in a small kitchen. We’ve used it many times for buffet set up, too, and it works great! I have been curious for so long but it has been worth the wait. I know you keep referring to your “small kitchen” but it sure works large! I think it helps that we didn’t overcrowd the walls, though. This saves money and makes it more achievable for the average person. While we almost didn’t even look at this one, we were glad we did because it had some strong selling points. The house had been updated about sixteen years ago and so lovingly maintained by the previous owner, but it was ready for a kitchen update. But on the plus side of a small kitchen, you get to make a big impact with less. I wanted the room to be flexible, so a neutral palette would let me change the look and feel easily through the seasons, too. Besides adding some additional character to the house, the arched openings added height and make the kitchen feel like such an inviting destination. The wood planks wrap the whole room in chunky wood which definitely adds a lot of warmth and character, too.

How Much Will My Bathroom Remodel Cost? Let’S Remodel | Duration 2 Minutes 7 Seconds Not only is a round window appropriate for the house, it was a nice complement to the arched doorways. I open the top part every single day, snow, sleet, rain or shine. I love the contrast to the white, and that adds its own touch of coastal cottage personality to the space. In our old house we had to modify the existing cabinet, so the 30 inch sink was the size that fit. Having no uppers on two sides of the room allowed us to install wall sconces. I can show you my favorite features and the reasons why we selected each one for our space! The brownish gray hue is strong enough to provide an additional contrast in the room, too, without calling too much attention to itself. I can talk more about the floors in a future post, but we’re really happy with them. I am so glad we left this wall where it was so we have room for proper ventilation over the range and counter space on both sides, too. It feels so good to work here without cabinets in front of your face, too. Thank you so much for coming by today for the kitchen reveal! Like you we have an older house and didn’t do the popular thing of knocking down walls and kept the layout we had. I had to comment because after saving for years, have just had our small kitchen in an old house done and also like you we worked with the layout we had and didn’t do the popular thing of knocking down walls. Thank you so much for sharing your new kitchen with us! The door and cabinets are in the same position as they were before so we didn’t have a lot of wiggle room but it all worked out! We start our kitchen demo and remodel next month after months of planning! It would be great if you would include the rooms dimensions when you do another post on the kitchen.

Kitchen Remodel Cabinet Installation Hurley Ny | Duration 1 Minutes 43 Seconds I am trying to come up with a floor plan for my kitchen renovation and there won’t be much space. Though your wine won’t like being where’s it’s warm (between the fridge and being up high). The “before” window was a typical over-the-sink style–extra small. Feeling inspired to go spruce up my little kitchen as well! I love how you achieve updating but keep structural changes to a minimum. They are as solid and durable for a backsplash as tile, they just wipe right off easily!

RemodelingCalculator.Org by remodelingcalculator.org

It should be helpful in determining a starting point for a budget. We are actually making individual, more in depth calculators for each type of remodeling. Next is flooring, which is ready to be published – just need to fine-tune it. New roof and all new high impact windows and doors were recently added. Our home is approximately 37 years old and was built by a builder who lived in it for several years. You are off by double what the calulator should show, for national and regional prices. Enter the size of your house exterior walls (approximate amount) as sq. Connect with local pros and get no-obligation, free estimates for any exterior or interior remodel. Of course there are many variables that it would impossible to be more accurate. Clients could use it as a benchmark to compare contractor actual bid cost against. I would like to know if you would consider accepting a guest post on your blog. Condensation has caused some ceiling damage but the roof was not damaged with the hurricane and has no leaks.

10 Steps To Budgeting For Your Kitchen Remodel by hgtv.com

Thompson Price Quartz Versus Granite Countertops | Duration 1 Minutes 5 Seconds Setting a budget for your kitchen remodel and staying within it sounds so obvious and simple, but it’s harder than you think. If you are planning on selling the home within five years, then your kitchen renovation should be viewed as an improvement on a real estate investment. If you plan on living in your home longer than five years, you should do a remodel that will make you and your family the most comfortable. You’re going to encounter surprises in your kitchen remodel, especially in an older residence. Like when you rip out your walls and discover your electrical wiring is out of date. Leave some wiggle room in your budget to cover these surprises. There may be a cost-saving alternative, or you may be able to do without the item entirely. There are many ways to pay for a kitchen remodel, but home equity loans are the most popular because they’re tax deductible. Decide whether you’re going to stay in your home while renovations are taking place. You could also set up a temporary kitchen in an adjacent room, and you should add in the cost of doing this. Face it, you will be eating a lot of meals in restaurants or bringing home take-out food while your kitchen is torn up. If you see a cost overrun starting to happen, you can stop it. You don’t have to pay someone else to do all the work. Go look at that remodeling budget you made in step 1, and repeat the number like a mantra. Only spend what you think you will get back when you sell the house. Cabinets can also devour a big chunk of your kitchen remodel budget. Set aside 20 percent of your budget to handle the unexpected. There are all sorts of budget-busting surprises lurking behind the walls or under the floor. Or you pull out your dishwasher and discover the floor beneath it is rotten thanks to a water leak you didn’t know about. Other options include refinancing, taking out a personal loan or taking a loan against a retirement plan. If you’re getting a loan, factor in costs like interest and loan origination fees. You’ll need to make deposits with your contractors, and you’ll need to pay for materials up front. Living someplace else while the work is being done is a good idea and will lessen your stress. Put your budget and how much you’re actually spending on spreadsheets so you can keep tabs on how much you are actually spending. Demolition – taking out the old cabinets, appliances and flooring – is easy to do. How should you spend that money, and what will it get you? Find a balance between what you want and what you can afford.

Average Kitchen Remodel Contractor Cost With Price Factors by thumbtack.com

During a remodel, contractors can address water damage and other concerns such as mold issues. Homeowners generally see more than an eighty percent return on investment for a minor kitchen remodel. One way to save is to keep the appliances, counter and cabinets in their current locations to reduce labor and material costs. A licensed plumber (or a general contractor with a plumber’s license) is required to safely install new plumbing pipes and potentially cut through walls or flooring during installation—all of which will increase costs and may require repair work if walls or floors need to be opened. These people might have a cheaper price but will do subpar work. We track the estimates they get from local professionals, then we share those prices with you. Keep in mind, these are sample prices and may not indicate how much your kitchen remodel will cost. Each of these situations increases overall costs, but it’s important to address these necessary repairs before building anything new. Imposters who don’t have a contractor’s license can damage your home. They often don’t pay taxes, and you can end up with a mess on your hands—which all costs more in the long run.

How Much Does It Cost To Remodel A Kitchen? by bankrate.com

Whether you’re fitting a few cabinets or doing an overhaul of the room to improve its flow and functionality, it pays to spend some time learning about how much it costs to remodel a kitchen. Unlock the equity in your home to pay for your kitchen remodel. In many cases, it’s smarter to leave the job to professionals. Furthermore, sometimes it doesn’t pay to go for the highest-quality materials because the amount they add to your home’s resale value is less than the amount you spend on the work. For example, rather than choosing granite countertops, pick less expensive wooden ones. It’s also possible to cut costs by doing some of the labor yourself with tasks such as painting. Envisioning how it should all work together, and then organizing all of the relevant pipework, electrical wiring and cabinetry, is a challenge. Remodeling a kitchen is a complex process because of the presence of electrical wiring, plumbing and appliances, and it’s usually best to leave the work to professionals. Remodeling a kitchen has the potential to invigorate your home life. Here’s what to know so you can devise a comprehensive plan that ensures you get the room you’ve always wanted at an affordable price. For example, completely refitting the kitchen to the highest standards costs considerably more than replacing cabinet doors or adding a few new cupboards. Doing your own demolition can save money, but you need to take care to avoid breaking pipes or cutting electrical wiring. The costs for each of these professionals can vary greatly depending on where you live and the scope of your project. If you’re considering selling your house, potential buyers see the benefits of a well-appointed kitchen space, and this has the potential to boost your home’s resale value. Before you start, decide on your requirements and then lock down a budget to prevent costs from spiraling. Our tools, rates and advice help no matter where you are on life’s financial journey.

2019 Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimator by homeguide.com

Get free instant estimates from kitchen remodelers near you. Other cost-saving measures include refacing cabinets and repairing or refinishing countertop rather than installing new materials. Fill an extra space with narrow filler cabinets with sliders. For example, why replace cabinets that are in good condition? These cabinets can be detailed for an additional fee, and options include door fronts, resizing drawers, and cabinet depth. Although they often cost more upfront, homeowners benefit from lower utility bills, longer lifespans, and many states offer residential rebates and incentives to help make your home more resourceful. The cost to do so varies widely, depending on the materials used and the total measures required. As you would expect, seamless materials, such as granite, are more durable and more costly. In comparison, granite and hardwood flooring will increase value, but at a higher cost. Depending on the size and space of your kitchen, as well as the features you desire, it is recommended that you hire a kitchen remodeling contractor. Each of these services will be billed individually unless you work out a project cost with your plumber. Typically, you can expect to spend 5% of your total budget on electrical work. Also, try to purchase materials yourself and have the space clean and ready for installation. However, know your own skills and limits, as you could end up spending more in the long run. Since custom cabinetry can quickly chew up more than a quarter of your budget, shop around for stock products you love, passing on custom work. You can’t do everything — so settle on the upgrades and appliances that are of the highest priority. Be honest with yourself about what you’re willing to do yourself vs. By using all your space efficiently, you can avoid the much higher cost of an extension. Choose everything and decide on everything that will be done in advance. Any changes on the initial plan will cost you more down the road. You will not be able to cook or eat in there for 3–8 weeks if the remodel is a big one. Remodeling dust can damage the lungs and cause short- and long-term health problems. Make sure all construction debris and dust has been cleaned up by the contractor. Don’t pay a large amount of money up front unless the contractors have an excellent online reputation from years of work, and the cost is for product purchases. We track the estimates they get from local companies, then we share those prices with you. The total cost is highly dependent on the size of the space, the quality of materials, and whether or not that layout will change. Since your project will be unique to you and your home, you should break down your budget based on the features and alterations you desire. Consider reducing a double sink to a single for more workspace as well. The last thing you want to do is knock out a wall that is connected to a supporting beam. By doing so, you will be able to obtain a more accurate estimate. How do you envision the space to look and what functional features are you considering? If you want a few higher-end features, focus on potential cost-saving strategies. You can also replace certain things in stages, addressing your top priorities first. They’ll know who has the best prices, quality, and service; and they’ll be able to pull it altogether faster. Those that are dated or damaged can leave future buyers underwhelmed, even if the kitchen has immense potential. If you’re purchasing the cabinets on your own, expect to pay an additional 50-75% of the cost of the cabinets for installation. By installing higher quality appliances, you can instantly improve your home’s value. Look for this certification when purchasing your dishwasher, freezer, fridge, and even lights. Although they take of less floor space, which is attractive to many homeowners, they may require structural changes. When choosing a material, it is important to not only consider the look of the countertop but also its level of functionality. In comparison, you can opt for materials that add less value, such as concrete, to keep your costs down. This can cost less if the same materials are installed elsewhere in the kitchen at the same time. While wood floors are popular, most remodelers don’t recommend having them in your kitchen because they are so susceptible to moisture. Plumbing services include sink installation costs, faucet installation costs, new piping, and much more. If you move appliances to other parts of the kitchen or install new lighting anywhere no lights have been before, this cost will be factored in. The more set in stone your plans are, the less chance there will be of additional charges later. To keep your costs as low as possible, you will likely need to do some of the work yourself, hiring professionals for all specialty work. For example, rip out old carpeting yourself, but always hire a professional for electrical or plumbing jobs. If you’re not in a hurry, complete your renovation in stages. Spend a little more on key products that will be used a lot so they will last. Try not to stay in your home while the work is going on unless you have a second kitchen in the house. If you have no choice but to stay, talk to the contractor about isolating the work area and controlling the airflow. Be sure to ask for all the warranties on any products included in the remodel. Make sure the contractors you are considering are licensed and insured.