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Kitchen countertop choices abound – Metro US

Kitchen countertop choices abound

John Rennison/torstar news service

Granite countertops range from $120-$200 per running foot.

photos courtesy of ikea

Laminate countertops can be made to look stone, tile, slate, and much more.

When we were growing up, a kitchen countertop almost always meant a light-coloured laminate in a speckled pattern. Now, we’re all adults, and the choices in colours and materials for countertops has matured as well.

This flexibility means you can indulge yourself with a small piece of expensive granite, perhaps on a kitchen island, and use less expensive countertop treatments in other places. Or you can think about your countertop in terms of function.

For example, kitchen islands with a butcher block countertop eliminate the need for cutting boards. Price for a wood countertop varies, but starts at around $50 a running foot. Bakers may consider a section of marble at $65-$100 per square foot, installed, because this surface is great for rolling out pastry, and it is non-stick and cool-to-the-touch. But marble and wood are soft and porous, so these aren’t great for the whole kitchen.

Other countertop choices are more general-purpose, including laminates, ceramic, granite and other natural stone, concrete, stainless steel, and solid surface manufactured countertops. How do you choose?

Don’t dismiss the less expensive options. Laminate is maintenance-free, and often great value at about $15 to $20 per running foot. You can get it in a range of colours, styles, and textures. In fact, a laminate kitchen countertop can imitate the look of granite, leather, wood, stone, tile and slate — and all at an attractive price.

But nothing beats the real thing when it comes to countertops, and sometimes it worth paying for the privilege.

For example, real granite will cost you from $120 to $200 per running foot. But granite broadcasts its sheer elegance and richness like nothing else. It also has the benefit of being extremely hard, so it is scratch-resistant and the least porous of all natural stone.

Soapstone is another option. It’s durable and stain resistant, and priced at $50 to $60 per square foot installed.

Solid surface manufactured countertop, including engineered quartz, is a durable and maintenance-free option, but the cost is almost as much as granite. If you want the granite look, but at a lower price, think about granite tiles.

Other choices include stainless steel, which is impervious to stains and high temperatures, but it’s cold, and is only suitable in a modern setting. The cost ranges anywhere from $150 to $750 a foot. Concrete is another option, at about $60 and upwards per square foot, installed. But make sure you’ve got an experienced installer.

And shop around, because prices can vary.

busted@arrestingdesign.com