Countertops..decisions..decisions..decisions

6661 Views 37 Replies 22 Participants Last post by manuthapa, Jun 4, 2011

benr

Discussion Starter · May 12, 2011

I need some opinions, hopefully to help me make up my mind.

I built a house and need to decide on countertops. My 2 options are a laminate or tiling it with 1'x2' granite tiles. After getting a price from the local lumberyard the laminate will be approx $1600.00 and I can tile it for around the same price, maybe a bit less.

Downfalls for laminate - cheap looking, easy to mark and burn.
Downfalls for tile- much more time involved for installation (which I am doing my self) and grout lines that can trap bacteria.

There is no way i can afford real granite, or any other stone (natural or engineered). I like the look of butcher-block but it is also out of my price range.

What would you personally rather? And most importantly what is better from a resale perspective? Are there any other options I should consider?

21 - 38 of 38 Posts

user1007

· #21 · May 19, 2011

benr said:
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.

pyper

· #22 · May 19, 2011

benr said:
But it is still a concern weather or not it is durable enough, and what is involved in fishing it and sealing it for this type of application?

You can finish it with oil, varnish, or polyurethane. They all have pluses and minuses.

As far as durability, I'd take a scrap of it and test it. You'll likely find that, for instance, taking a cork out of a bottle of wine leaves dimples on it. But some pine is really hard. I'm not familiar with your species, and even if I was, some boards are harder than others.

If you have a slab through the middle (quartersawn, essentially) it would probably look really nice. I might be more inclined to make a bench or sideboard though.

Willie T

· #23 · May 19, 2011

I'm odd, I guess. (My wife says I shouldn't have to guess... she KNOWS!) But I love tile. We have 20 feet of countertop in our kitchen, and it's all earth tone tile. The widths range from 25 to 30 inches and the edges are tile too, a 2" banded border.

But I'm mainly puzzled at your cost problem.

I do granite countertops in all the houses the real estate agent I work for flips. They are all granite. The prices here run from $40 - $80 a square foot (slab price) and it's usually right around $60. In today's market, we seldom pay more than $2,000, installed, with a drilled sink.

user1007

· #24 · May 19, 2011 (Edited)

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:

Jim F

· #25 · May 19, 2011

I will say suggest this. Look for sales in you home improvement stores. We foung certain clolors of LG HiMacs solid surface were half priced and included a sink and basic beveled edge and that brought the price down to around what laminate countertops would have cost.

Millertyme

· #26 · May 20, 2011

i was in the same boat as you about a year ago. I wanted my counters to look nice but didnt want to spend a lot of money. I thought laminate looked cheap. I heard about concrete and remember laughing at the idea. Well 1 year later and about $800 later I have beautiful counter tops. Do a little research and you can do it on your own like I did. There are pros that do it, but it could be a DIY job for someone who is ambitious enough.

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Blondesense

· #27 · May 20, 2011

Willie T said:
I'm odd, I guess. (My wife says I shouldn't have to guess... she KNOWS!) But I love tile. We have 20 feet of countertop in our kitchen, and it's all earth tone tile. The widths range from 25 to 30 inches and the edges are tile too, a 2" banded border.

Willie, I don't want to hijack this thread, but is there any way you could post a pic. I'm also considering countertops and would love to see yours.

Willie T

· #28 · May 20, 2011

Blondesense said:
Willie, I don't want to hijack this thread, but is there any way you could post a pic. I'm also considering countertops and would love to see yours.

My wife caught me doing this, and stopped me from photographing the majority of the countertop. She said it was a mess, and she didn't feel like cleaning it up right now. But these should give you an idea of what they all look like.

(That's a piece of lint on the second pic.)

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4

mdawson3k

· #29 · May 20, 2011

I would think the square footage of the counter-top plays a role too. If you are still trying to stay under budget for granite, try visiting stores that carry granite but don' do installation. Then, hire someone to do the granite work. The all-in-one deal at Lowes and Home Depot tend to be expensive by 2 to 3 times.

Blondesense

· #30 · May 20, 2011

Thanks Willie. Looks good.

We currently have tile that is in bad shape and needs to be replaced. I've read what others here have written, but I have nothing against tile and am seriously thinking of replacing it with more tile. Just haven't decided what kind/color yet.

creeper

· #31 · May 22, 2011

The original post did say that resale was the most important factor. I've already stated what I think as a Realtor. I suggest some quick phone calls to Realtors in your area. Don't be surprised when/ if they tell you that tile is dated and todays laminate is fine.

Xtreme_99

· #32 · May 26, 2011

as said before. not sure what shape or size the kitchen is.. but you could try and find a place that sells solid surface counter tops in the "raw" the will sell you pieces that will basically be like buying it in sheets you can cut and use routers to shape it easily.. most people dont know that you can but it like that. Also the company you buy it from will sell color match epoxy to "seam it" it is actually really easy to machine yourself..and will most likely cost less than the 1600 for the laminate..

GraniteNaples

· #33 · May 30, 2011

Recycled glass surfaces are not cheap!

I saw someone suggested going with "Vetrazzo", which is made from recycled glass bottles and other materials. That stuff is more expensive than granite in many cases (I guess the manufacturing process is costly). I like your idea of going with laminate- stay away from the tile.

www.CountertopSolutionsFL.com

benr

Discussion Starter · #34 · May 30, 2011

Willie T said:
I'm odd, I guess. (My wife says I shouldn't have to guess... she KNOWS!) But I love tile. We have 20 feet of countertop in our kitchen, and it's all earth tone tile. The widths range from 25 to 30 inches and the edges are tile too, a 2" banded border.

But I'm mainly puzzled at your cost problem.

I do granite countertops in all the houses the real estate agent I work for flips. They are all granite. The prices here run from $40 - $80 a square foot (slab price) and it's usually right around $60. In today's market, we seldom pay more than $2,000, installed, with a drilled sink.

Wow thats an amazing price compared to here in Canada. I would be in around 10,000 for my countertops (installed). I guess things are just that much cheaper down there (thats why i go down to mn if i am buying a motorcycle). the sad thing is the granite is probeley mined a few hrs from my house.

benr

Discussion Starter · #35 · May 30, 2011

creeper said:
The original post did say that resale was the most important factor. I've already stated what I think as a Realtor. I suggest some quick phone calls to Realtors in your area. Don't be surprised when/ if they tell you that tile is dated and todays laminate is fine.

We have decided on laminate, alot of what everyone said here helped us make that choice, thanks a lot.

ranchmakeover

· #36 · Jun 2, 2011

I highly recommend butcher block. I didn't think it was in my price range. And it may not have been if I bought it prefabricated. But I found a website that sells Do-It-Youself wood blanks at www.craft-art.com then click on "online store". They come already sanded and all you have to do is either find a nearby woodworker to finish them or do it yourself which can be pretty simple. Mine actually were delivered with step by step oiling instructions. We had our contractor who also worked in cabinetry finish and cut the sink out. He finished it with Tung Oil (recommended by Craft-Art) which is water proof. I have a super high end look now but it was (semi - and had potential to be completely) DIY and SO much cheaper than getting it prefabricated.

good luck!

http://store.craft-art.com - I bought from the more pre-finished version called "homeowner DIY"

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benr

Discussion Starter · #37 · Jun 2, 2011 (Edited)

sdsester said:
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:

If this thread is too confusing for you to follow maybe leave it for the grownups to read/reply.

And yes its been "in the back" drying for over one year, i cut it down to build my driveway, if you are ever in northern ontario i would be glad to give you a tour of the property.

PS our color choice was charcoal fusion, i think its nice for a couple of idiots like us, are all 2000 of your posts as ignorant as this one?

manuthapa

· #38 · Jun 4, 2011

Life Quotes

one of the thinkers has said: "life is as easy or as hard as you think it is"
so, it's your responsibility that what kind of life you want to live.
Quotes about Life

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