Granite, Quartz & Wood Countertops Choices
By Teena Hammond Gomez
Special to The Courier-Journal
Marble, granite, slate, quartz, glass and even concrete are among the many kitchen countertop options for your home.
In the past, most people simply chose plastic laminate countertops and didn't consider other options. As the cost of granite has dropped, this natural stone has become the standard in most homes priced above $250,000, said Ron Rich, owner of A&R Quality Cabinets in Louisville.
The first thing to consider when putting in a new kitchen countertop is budget. If granite or another material is out of your price range, then look at laminate, which can be as little as $20 per square foot installed.
"We usually tell people to anticipate spending about four times as much on granite versus laminate. It depends on the edging and color they choose," Rich said.
There are new options in laminate, such as products from Wilsonart, that have the look and texture of granite. But if it's granite you're looking for, prices start as low as $50 per square foot installed for basic patterns and run up to $150 if you fall in love with a unique slab with lots of movement (another name for the swirls of color veining through some granite).
Trish Russell, owner of Bella Cucina Cabinetry in Louisville, said most of her customers ask for granite or wood countertops. "People are used to calling wood countertops butcher block, but we're doing a lot of walnut and teak woods that aren't butcher block," Russell said. Butcher block is typically made of maple and is used as a cutting board surface.
The popular colors of granite are the lighter shades and those with movement, said Robin Cramer, an interior designer formerly with Mees Tile and who is now opening Monocottura, a tile design showroom, in mid-February at 1201 Herr Lane in Louisville.
People who want a cleaner look opt for quartz countertops, such as those made by Cambria. Cambria countertops are available at both A&R Quality Cabinets and at Bella Cucina Cabinetry.
Once you decide on a countertop, think about the overall look of your kitchen. Many people are mixing surfaces, with perhaps less expensive granite on the majority of their countertops and then pricier granite on their island.
And for those who don't like the high gloss of polished granite countertops, there are honed granite, brushed granite, soapstone and slate.
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