A question we hear a lot in our showrooms is “What is the best countertop for your money?” It’s not an easy question to answer, because different people have different criteria for what would make the “best” countertop, and of course people can have wildly different budgets.
To determine what countertop material is best for your kitchen (and your budget), there are some specific questions you should ask when considering a natural or manufactured stone.
- Is it appealing to you?
- Is it affordable?
- Is it durable?
- Will it help your home’s resale value?
- Is it easy to maintain?
Since each home project will have different goals, asking these questions will help you define your priorities and balance your wants and needs to find the best countertop material for your project.
The Most Fashionable Countertop for Your Money
While home fashion trends come and go, the appeal of a stone countertop never seems to go away. Visual quality is just as important in a budget kitchen or bathroom as it is in the richest mansion, and you deserve to treat yourself to the finer things in life!
Granite features a large variety of movement and color, from small speckles to flowing wave patterns, ranging anywhere from deep reds, to greens, to blues. If it’s color and patterns you’re looking for, Granite is an excellent economical option.
Quartzite will trend towards a higher budget, but its popularity among designers and trend-setters continues to grow. The color variety is as wide as that of granite, while it tends to feature more solid colors and natural-looking movement.
Quartz is probably the simplest choice to create a fashionable countertop on a budget. While dramatic patterns or colors in Quartz can sometimes be pricey, its consistent look makes it a quick and easy option to upgrade your surfaces.
Marble may be a slightly higher-maintenance material, but its alluring visual qualities can never be denied. No other natural stone can quite reach the clear shades of white that Marble can. There are many affordable Marbles available nowadays, meaning you don’t have to compromise your vision of an elegant Marble countertop if you’re limited on funds.
The ever-popular Fantasy Brown is technically a Marble, though not all will label it as such, and as of early 2021, it has been an “in-style” countertop in high demand for nearly 5 years! Its combination of affordability and beauty have made it an enormous hit among homeowners and designers alike. Check out our take on Fantasy Brown here!
The Most Durable Countertop for Your Money
When it comes to kitchen counters, some of us only care about one thing: How durable it is. Some natural stones need more care than others, and everybody treats their countertops differently, so it’s important to distinguish which materials will suit your needs.
Marble can range greatly in cost, with some very affordable options available out there. Most Marbles will be softer stones, though, allowing stains and scratches to occur more easily than Granite or Quartzite.
Quartzite is the toughest and most durable natural stone, practically impervious to spills, scratches, or scuffs, however its price point may be high for some budgets.
Quartz, being man-made, is resistant to most staining and surface damage, however it may be vulnerable to excessive heat. Radianz Quartz’s 10-year limited residential warranty certainly helps, too!
Granite is a good “all-rounder,” being immensely durable against most typical wear-and-tear, and widely available in different colors and price ranges. For a long-lasting countertop, Quartz and Granite will often deliver you the biggest “bang for your buck.” Read our article on Quartz vs Granite to learn more about the differences between these two.
The Best Countertop for Your Home’s Resale Value
Simply including the phrase “natural stone countertop” among the selling points of your home can drastically increase the likelihood of receiving an offer from a potential home-buyer. A natural stone countertop is highly sought-after by people shopping for a new home, and is a guaranteed attention-grabber during open houses and tours.
If you are getting a natural stone countertop for your own home, its long lifespan will still make it a valuable draw, should you choose to sell later. If you’re remodeling your kitchen solely to increase its property value, a precise, calculated budget is often the best way to ensure you’re getting the biggest margin of increase. Many times, the margin can be minuscule, so picking the right material is very important.
Quartzite can greatly increase a home’s value, but typically only if the buyer knows about the benefits of Quartzite. Its material cost can make it difficult to guarantee a high profit margin, so you should check if other property listings in your area also boast Quartzite countertops before you commit to this stone.
Marble is always visually appealing, and will all but guarantee a high-value selling point in your home. However, if you intend to rent out your property, the high maintenance and limited durability associated with most marbles can cause a bit of a headache for landlords.
Quartz is an economical, durable, and low-maintenance option for improving your countertops. While it may not be as visually unique as natural stone, it is an excellent material for rental properties and “fixer-uppers.”
Granite still comes out ahead of most other materials, as far as a cost-effective method of raising your property’s worth. Even a common granite pattern can dramatically increase the appeal of your kitchen, bathroom, or back yard. Its combination of durability and wide appeal makes it a safe investment, too! Take a look at some of our budget-friendly granite options in our TGP Entry Level Collection.
Considering Maintenance when Choosing a Countertop
As important as it is to find a material at the perfect price, you will want to ensure it will serve you well as a functional surface. Some stones may need more regular care, both natural and manufactured stone often present a “you get what you pay for” scenario, which can be stressful when trying to pick countertop material on a budget.
At the Granite Place, from our exotic imports to our Entry Level Granite Collection, we focus on visual and structural quality above all else. Our knowledgeable staff are here to assist you, as well as provide valuable insight about each of our materials, and design input/ideas. Our educational blog and in-house resources are also here to help educate you about important considerations, such as Care & Maintenance of your Granite Countertop, giving you the tools to protect your investment for years and years.
No matter your budget, you can certainly find the best countertop for your money here at the Granite Place!
Find a Showroom Near You Today!
