The Costs of Replacing Your Kitchen

A great way to upgrade your kitchen without opting for a complete kitchen remodel is to replace your kitchen countertops with something durable and beautiful. Kitchen countertops tend to dominate the room, and can change the overall impact of your kitchen by simply replacing them. The trick is to choose the right material to maximize that impact.

Replacing your kitchen countertops is a relatively cost-effective way to improve the look and function of your kitchen. However, there is still some costs involved in doing that, and the extent of your investment will depend on the type of countertops you decide to put in your home. The average cost of replacing kitchen countertops with an area of 100 square feet is $2,907. However, the range is quite wide, from a low of $400 to a high of $12,000.

One of the factors affecting the cost is the material, but it is not the only one. These factors will depend on the circumstances of a particular kitchen, such as the type of existing countertops, state of the plumbing or electrical wiring, and the type of support needed. That said, the material cost can give you a good starting point for making decisions about upgrading your kitchen countertops. Below is a general guide on the costs of replacing your kitchen countertops.

Natural stones

Many natural stones suitable for kitchen countertops are available. Most are more durable than natural materials such as wood, and unlikely to crack or chip as ceramic tiles tend to do. They are also mostly food safe provided they have an adequate layer of impregnating sealer. Among the most popular natural stones for kitchen countertops are granite, marble, slate, and soapstone.

Granite is typically the first choice of many homeowners because it is the most practical among the available natural stones. It is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, very durable, relatively stain resistant, and highly resistant to heat and scratches. Granite is also relatively affordable, especially if you consider it can last for many years without visible damage and without requiring extraordinary measures to keep it intact.

Granite typically comes in slabs large enough to create sizeable countertops, so seams are not always necessary. Even when there are seams, expert fabricators and installers can make them almost invisible. Granite countertops installed by professionals will typically cost a homeowner between $3000 and $4,500 for 100 square feet.

Marble is also a popular choice for kitchen countertops, although not as much as granite. This is primarily because marble countertops are relatively soft and porous, so they require a bit more care than granite countertops do. Nevertheless, people that choose marble countertops do so to achieve an elegant and luxurious look for their kitchens.

In terms of cost, marble countertops will set you back about the same as granite countertops, so that is not a deal breaker. Marble is also heat resistant, so it is a good choice for the kitchen.

To address the issues of maintenance, some homeowners choose a mix of granite and marble countertops. Marble works particularly well for delicate work such as rolling out pastry, so you can choose marble for a pastry table and granite for everything else.

Soapstone is another natural stone some people prefer over granite. It is resistant to heat, and is not porous, so it does not require a sealer to prevent stains. The main issue with soapstone is the color limitation. You will mostly find soapstone in shades of gray, which gradually darkens with hints of green.

Soapstone is not a great choice for kitchen countertops for a few reasons. It is softer than marble, so it will scratch more easily. Since it comes in smaller slabs than granite or marble, you are more likely to need seams as well.  Soapstone countertops also tend to cost more than granite or marble countertops, clocking in somewhere between $7,000 and $12,000 for a 100 square foot area.

Slate is perhaps the least popular of the natural stones for kitchen countertops despite being non-porous, therefore resistant to stains. It is much harder than soapstone, and available in some cool colors such as black, brown, and gray with tinges of red, green, or blue. However, slate does not achieve a high gloss finish, which is a favorite among homeowners. Slate countertops cost about the same as soapstone at between $7,700 and $10,000 for an area of 100 square feet.

Manmade stones

Manmade or engineered stones are also making a splash when it comes to kitchen countertops. In fact, more people in the US choose engineered quartz from top brands for kitchen countertops than granite. This is because manmade stones are non-porous, readily available in many colors, designs, and finishes, and quite durable. Among the most popular of the manmade products for kitchen countertops are quartz and solid surface.

Quartz countertops are, as the name implies, made up mostly of natural quartz materials. The best brands use a minimum of 90% quartz in the mix, making it a very durable product. It is resistant to stains and very low maintenance. You can find quartz stones that look like different natural stones as well as models in colors and designs that are clearly not natural. Whatever your fancy, you are likely to find the right quartz stone for your kitchen countertops.

Quartz countertops do tend to be more expensive than granite or marble countertops. You can expect to pay between $5,900 and $14,000 for 100 square feet of countertops. They are also not suitable for use outdoors as they tend to fade, especially dark quartz countertops.

Solid surface products are also available under different brands, although most people associate it with the Corian brand. Solid surface countertops are an affordable option for kitchen countertops at just $2,000 and $5,000 for an area of 100 square feet. However, solid surface is the least durable stone material for kitchen countertops, and is not resistant to heat, stains, or scratches. This makes it a problematic choice for kitchen use.

Conclusion

Replacing your kitchen countertops does not have to be an expensive proposition. You can always find material that will fit your budget. However, you might want to consider investing a little more to get durable materials for your kitchen. If you choose granite, marble, or even quartz, you will not need to replace them for many years, thus saving you a big chunk of change in the future.

Granite ASAP is your best resource for advice on durable kitchen countertops if you are in the state of Virginia, including the cities of Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax, Chantilly, Herndon, Centreville, Tysons, and Washington DC. We offer free estimates and quotes for any of your kitchen countertops and remodeling needs.

We carry a wide range of the best engineered stone brands in the country and natural stone slabs. Over 100 colors of granite and marble slabs are available for inspection at our Chantilly, Virginia showroom.

If you prefer engineered stone, we can offer you products from the Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, and MSI brands, each one carrying the manufacturer’s warranty. You can choose what you want and we will deliver it ASAP!

Feel free to ask any questions over the phone, or get in touch using our contact form today!