If you’ve decided to do a kitchen remodeling project, you know the biggest part of the design will be the cabinets.
Not only the new cabinets need to be aesthetically pleasing, but they also need to be functional and appropriate.
If you can find well-built cabinets made of quality material, then you’ve hit the kitchen cabinet trifecta.
With all the choices available today, it can be overwhelming to know where to start and what to choose. This guide will help you navigate the cabinet buying process including styles, materials, costs, and pros and cons of various options.
Cost
The total average cost (including materials and labor) to install European style frameless cabinets in a typical 10-by-10 kitchen will range between $6,750 to $9,950, depending on the choice of contractor doing the work, cabinet manufacturer, materials and your home’s location or the local real estate market dynamics.
Did you know? All else being equal, it will cost about $1,000 less to supply and install basic face-framed cabinets compared to frameless cabinets.
Framed cabinets can be more difficult to install, but they can be safely hung on uneven walls, making them more suitable for uneven wall layouts and oddly shaped kitchens.
Framed cabinets are also available in a greater variety of styles and materials.
The pricing difference between the two kinds is mostly in the material cost of cabinets; Frameless Shaker Door style cabinets (material and supplies only) will cost between $4,500 to $6,500 for a typical 10-by-10 kitchen, while comparable cabinets with face frame will normally cost about $1,000 less for all the materials and supplies.
Today’s top two upscale countertop options, granite, and quartz, are competitively priced with one another. Granite and quartz are quite different materials, one being a natural stone and another being an engineered composite made to resemble the natural stone.
This guide covers unique properties, pros and cons, looks, maintenance requirements, durability aspects, and pricing considerations for each option.
Cost
Granite countertops cost between $75 and $150 per square foot installed. The cost is largely based on whether you choose tiles or slabs. When going with a full-sized granite slab, its thickness, size (length and width), color pattern and degree of flawlessness or lack of imperfections will affect the overall price on a per sq. ft. basis.
Quartz countertop costs range from about $95 to $160 per square foot installed and engineered stone slabs are used.
In this guide, we’re exploring countertops and solid surfaces for kitchens and bathrooms.
Selecting a new countertop for your kitchen can not only be exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. After all, there is such a wide variety of materials to consider, along with their thickness, benefits and drawbacks, colors, costs, and other options.
It’s not at all surprising that many homeowners are easily dazed and confused by the wide array of choices and options. In fact, many people who have already been through the process of installing a new countertop in their kitchen or bathroom will readily attest that it’s not at all an easy choice! 😉
Some of the top questions being asked by many of the “quality and cost” conscious consumers, have to deal with the cost of materials and installation costs for most common surfaces including granite, Formica, quartz, marble, and the good ol’ laminate.
If you have not faced any major remodeling decisions before, then you should know that all modern countertops have their inherent strengths and flaws. It’s up to you to decide which particular factors and material characteristics are most important to you.
Yes, it’s all about your wants and needs! 🙂 — Some of the main ones to consider are: durability, luster, heat resistance, maintenance, price and style.
In this guide, will cover the top ten most common materials for countertop surfaces. We’ll give you the necessary information, so you can make an informed decision.
For years granite has been one of the most popular surface choices among the US homes, owning to its natural beauty, durability, and ruggedness. It’s a natural stone, so every individual slab is 100% unique in its hue, pattern and shading.
Since each piece is different in appearance and size, many consumers will often go to their local granite warehouse and select the actual pieces of granite that will go into their kitchen or bathroom.
Each slice of granite is approximately 9 to 10 feet long and 5 to 6 feet wide. There are some places carrying granite slabs as large as 12 feet long for those extra long open-space kitchens.
If your countertop is larger than this, the granite will need to be installed in pieces, thus inevitably resulting in some seams.
Pros:
Durable
Unique – One of a Kind!
Scratch-resistant
Stain resistant
Heat resistant
Water resistant (when sealed)
Easily cleaned
Variety of colors and patterns
Cons:
Expensive
High maintenance
Can break when exposed to excessive stresses during transportation or installation
Price: Granite has an average material cost of $75 to $150 per square foot installed, depending on the size, pattern, and thickness of the slab. Although, some select species of granite can be as expensive as $150 to $250 per square foot! It will be a grand total of $3,000 to $6,500 for an average 40 square feet granite surface installed.
Tips: Save money by using a thinner slab of granite or use granite tiles for a fraction of the cost.
Quartz can give granite a run for its money (especially considering the cost of higher-end granite) surfaces, with the durability and look of natural stone, minus the maintenance. It’s a very hard, impervious to water drops or moisture stone quarried out of the earth, ground into small pieces, mixed together in a sheet layer and held together in a resin as part of its manufacturing process. As with all countertops, it has some advantages and disadvantages.
Like granite it will have seams, but they will be less noticeable. Its consistent look and pattern allows the seams to blend more easily.
Quartz is a nonporous pre-engineered material containing approximately 93% crushed quartz and resin, so it doesn’t need to be sealed. However, it’s not completely heat resistant. A hot pot can be sat on the counter, but it can’t be left there for very long, as the heat will react with the resin and leave a burn mark!
Pros:
Durable
More flexible than granite, which makes it stronger and more tolerant to stress
Available in glossy and matte finishes
Non-porous
Stain and crack resistant
No sealing
Wide range of colors
Easily cleaned
Antibacterial
Cons:
Not heat resistant
Seams
Price: $90 to $160 per square foot instealled. It will cost you in the range of $3,600 to $6,400 for an average 40 square feet pre-engineered quartz surface installed.
Corian comes in a variety of colors, hues and patterns that can be designed to fit anyone’s style. Choose a stone pattern for a warm, traditional decor, white or black for a minimalist style or brighter colors for a more eclectic look. Custom colors are also available.
Its look is consistent and lends itself to soft curving designs and integrating features like sinks, drain boards and backsplashes.
Wood countertops have been used for hundreds of years. They’re unique, natural and add warmth to any space. Various types of wood and finishes can be used to fit different decor and lifestyles.
For a traditional style use cherry, teak, yellow cedar, mahogany, or white oak with an oil finish. For a modern or more carefree wood countertop, you can finish the wood surface with a waterproof varnish. For an eco-friendly, rustic style, reclaimed wood can be used.
Wood naturally contains enzymes which attack and kill bacteria, making it an excellent choice for the kitchen. Although it’s very durable, it’s not impervious to damage.
While the thought of using a butcher’s block countertop as one long chopping block may sound convenient, it’s not advisable. It would cause scratches, chipping and damage to the surface. Other options are to have a separate chopping block or have one built in.
Pros:
Appearance
Works with all designs
Durable
Gentle on glasses and dishes
Heat resistant
Recyclable
Cons:
Maintenance
Requires special care
Must be kept dry
Not scratch and dent resistant
Price: $85 to $150 per square foot installed
5. Laminate
Although it’s often scoffed at by natural material lovers, laminate is still a widely used countertop option. Not only is it budget-friendly, but new designs are also helping laminate make a huge comeback.
Manufacturers are teaming up with top designers to create amazing on trend designs.
For a fraction of the cost, you can have the look of marble, granite, or wood. Or, if your tastes are more modern, you can choose to go with bolder, brighter colors and patterns.
Pros:
Budget-friendly
Variety of styles
Low maintenance
Easily cleaned
Stain resistant
Cons:
Laminate can crack, scratch and scorch over the years
