What Are Cheaper Alternatives to Granite Countertops?
Home and business owners love the appearance of granite countertops. Installations are highly durable, and individuals get the satisfaction of having unique surfaces, as each slab looks different from another. Choosing granite materials for countertops can maximize the value of your home or commercial building, but cheaper alternatives are available to best align with your budget.
If you’re designing your renovation project, you’ll want to know about all thekitchen countertop materials available on the market that will exceed your expectations in terms of appearance and strength. Consider the following granite countertop alternatives for your project:
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are some of the most popular alternatives to granite countertops. Generally, quartz counters combine the crystalline mineral with rock binders and a polyresin resulting in a natural stone look. This type of countertop is well-suited for contemporary spaces. Home and business owners can choose from quartz countertops that range in color from vibrant white shades to sleek black hues, as well as veined and vein-free pieces.
Quartz is commonly known as one of the best alternatives to granite countertops from a durability standpoint. As a mineral, quartz is extremely hard and found deep within the Earth’s crust, so your countertops will naturally resist cracks and chips. Think about incorporating quartz countertops into your project for the following benefits:
- Quartz is non-porous for excellent stain resistance.
- The hardness of quartz makes it difficult to scratch.
- You can choose from various colors and patterns.
- Quartz counters are easy to clean and maintain.
Solid Surface Countertops
The original solid surface countertop, Corian® was engineered to be an affordable alternative to granite and natural stone countertops. Solid surface countertops feature mineral compounds, epoxies and polyresins to create surfaces in any color. The granite countertop alternatives are entirely synthetic, making them cost-effective compared to options that call for mining. Property owners can complement kitchen and bathroom appliances easily with creative control over surface patterns and textures.
If you’re searching for a cheaper alternative to granite countertops with unlimited design potential, solid surface countertops are the way to go. Here are some of the reasons home and business owners prefer solid surface countertops:
- They mimic granite countertops on a smaller budget.
- The materials are lightweight and can be cut to almost any dimension.
- These surfaces resist bacteria for a cleaner living space.
- You can buff out most scratches and imperfections.
Laminate Countertops
Laminate countertops have been around for over a hundred years. Home and business owners continue to install these countertops today because of their low price point and simple appearance. Laminate countertops are made by compressing layers of paper together with resins to form a thick sheet. The sheet is positioned across wooden materials or fiberboard to fit the shape of your kitchen or bathroom.
Property owners might opt for laminate countertops as a granite alternative because installations require little maintenance. Wipe down laminate countertops with a sponge and household cleaner without fear of etching or leaving stains. Other benefits of laminate installations include:
- Laminate countertops do not need sealants.
- Patterns complement homes of all ages.
- Laminate countertops install quickly.
Contact Henry H. Ross & Son, Inc. for Countertop Services in Central Pennsylvania
The professionals at H.H. Ross will fabricate and install custom countertops for your home or business in Lancaster County. We proudly serve customers across a wide service area which includes York, Harrisburg and Reading. Our team treats you like family, and we’ll gladly explain common alternatives to granite countertops to best suit your routine.
Rely on our business with over 60 years of experience in the industry to bring your design visions to life. For a free quote, complete a contact form with us online!
FAQs
Several materials can serve as a granite worktop alternative, including Silestone, Dekton, Sensa, marble, soapstone, laminate, ceramic, porcelain, and wood. You can review the advantages and disadvantages of each one and their prices to know which is the most suitable for your kitchen and budget.
What is replacing granite countertops? ›
From bold, daring tile designs to pared-back natural stone, there's a bit of countertop trend inspiration for every style of home.
- Quartz. (Image credit: Andrea West Design) ...
- Marble. (Image credit: Future) ...
- Porcelain. (Image credit: Mike Chajecki / Shaunn Lipsey + Co.) ...
- Natural stone. ...
- Wood. ...
- Blended materials. ...
- Tile.
There are multiple products on the market using various terms including 'artificial granite', 'synthetic granite', 'liquid granite', and 'epoxy granite'. All of these terms indicate that you're not getting a slab of genuine natural granite – in fact you may not be getting any granite at all!
What is the most affordable stone countertop? ›
Slate is one of the most affordable countertop materials, with an approximate cost of $20 to $60 per square foot. It is a stunning countertop material that offers a variety of colors including blacks, greys, blues, greens, browns, and even reds. And because each slab is uniquely made, it provides uniform countertops.
What is very similar to granite? ›
Quartz: A Versatile and Durable Option:
Composed of engineered stone, quartz offers a wide range of colors and patterns, including designs that mimic the appearance of natural stone. With its non-porous surface, quartz is highly resistant to stains, scratches, and heat.
What is the best countertop for the money? ›
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is one of the strongest materials you can use, making it one of the best-value countertops available. Both scratch- and stain-resistant, quartz countertops can look brand new for years even after withstanding heavy usage.
How to redo kitchen countertops on a budget? ›
There are a few cheap ways to redo kitchen countertops. For example, you can paint them, cover them with contact paper, or sand them and stain them with a wood finish. These options are suitable for wood, linoleum, or laminate countertops.
What countertops to avoid? ›
Avoid countertops that are largely plastic such as cultured marble, solid surface, and those that introduce formaldehyde, like laminate. If using laminate countertops, specify that the substrate be made with a no added formaldehyde (NAF) resin. Additionally, CDPH-certified laminate materials are preferred.
What is more popular than granite countertops? ›
One of the main reasons quartz has exploded in popularity is due to appearance. Quartz has the look of stone while also allowing homeowners to customize the design.
Which is cheaper, granite or quartz? ›
Quartz and granite countertops are priced similarly per square foot, with granite counters having the wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, based on the availability of a color and pattern. Sometimes quartz is more expensive due to the treatments it receives during manufacturing.
They can be porous.
If you don't seal your granite countertops, or the stone was poorly sealed from the start, there is a chance that liquids could be absorbed, creating long-lasting stains.
What looks like granite but is less expensive? ›
Quartz countertops are some of the most popular alternatives to granite countertops. Generally, quartz counters combine the crystalline mineral with rock binders and a polyresin resulting in a natural stone look. This type of countertop is well-suited for contemporary spaces.
What is the cheapest counter top? ›
Ceramic and porcelain tile are among the cheapest countertop varieties and come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including designs that mimic granite and other stone. Natural stone tiles are pricier than ceramic but are much more affordable than slab granite or marble.
What countertop looks like quartz but is cheaper? ›
Corian is cheaper than quartz upfront. You can expect to pay between $40 and $65 per square foot for Corian while quartz starts at $40 and can extend well beyond $200 per square foot.
What material is better than granite? ›
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
Is quartz cheaper than granite? ›
Quartz and granite countertops are priced similarly per square foot, with granite counters having the wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, based on the availability of a color and pattern. Sometimes quartz is more expensive due to the treatments it receives during manufacturing.
What is the countertop that looks like granite? ›
Elevate Your Space with Quartz—a Stylish Granite-Alternative Countertop Surface. Cambria's granite-alternative quartz designs ensure a lifetime of beauty and maintenance-free performance for your kitchen, bathroom, home workspace, laundry room, basem*nt bar, and more.
What type of kitchen countertop is most durable? ›
1. Quartz. Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin.
