[user1007]

If laminate or tiles is your price point, I am not sure what to suggest. Do make sure you can get your hands on a complete laminate sample thingie and you might need to go to a kitchen place or find an interior designer to have such access. Laminate is what it is but some patterns and textures are not so bad.

Corian would be the next price jump up I guess although last I checked it was almost as costly as stone.

Stepping up around the price of granite? Recycled glass, or even glass, and concrete countertops are beautiful with limitless color possibilities. You might be able to get a tax credit for using renewable materials to offset the cost a bit. They are about the same as granite otherwise. With concrete you can mold your sinks, etc. into the overall design so would save that money you would spend otherwise on sinks. Concrete countertops poured in place is an option also but I have never specified that approach yet.

http://www.vetrazzo.com/

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.trendir.com/archives/absolute-concrete-works-concrete-countertop.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.trendir.com/archives/001053.html&h=297&w=450&sz=39&tbnid=Z_X6d29JX9SsHM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=127&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dconcrete%2Bcountertops%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=concrete+countertops&hl=en&usg=__Y13UfTKfwjh2iWqiEApEt_WmRyQ=&sa=X&ei=--rLTb6SEMjx0gGIi-XmBg&sqi=2&ved=0CFsQ9QEwAA

Do remember that within reason, any money you sink into a kitchen to make it nice is going to be returned to you. Budgets are budgets though.

 

[user1007]

EDIT: one other thing - how DIY capable are you? You can get 4x8 sheets of laminate and do the whole project for WELL under the $1600 price. Brief how-to: http://www.acehardware.com/info/index.jsp?categoryId=1280476

Yup! Contact adhesives are unforgiving but you will get the hang of it. Nice sharp laminate router bit and you are good to go. Rounded corners are tough for the diyer though

Also agree with prior poster and hinted in my suggestion to get your hands on samples of all laminates out there. You are not going to fool anybody into believing a piece of plastic is wood or stone so pick something else that is stunning.

 

[user1007]

Yes it was free, i cut the tree down and bought a bottle of rum for a guy that had a portable saw mill. Its been drying for over 1 year now. It would not really be a spot where it will be getting wet alot, just a breakfast bar area. But it is still a concern weather or not it is durable enough, and what is invoved in fishing it and sealing it for this type of application?

You keep changing your original post on us and suddenly have new materials for us too consider.

If the pine is really dry. Use it for a countertop. Put a a bar type poured expoxy finish on it and you will be fine and beautiful. If it is not dry in just one year, you will be screwed.

 

[user1007]

Let us please focus on the the original post? This guy started off with budget concerns and whether he should put down granite tiles or laminate. Suddenly he raided a forest for slice of tree he had in the back for a year aging? Ever noticed when you are being played, perhaps for fun. I am done with this idiot and hope he picks a really bad color laminate. It's all his budget will afford and he is just jerking us around. :laughing: