What Are The Tips On Replacing Kitchen Countertops On a Budget? – USA Marble & Granite

Countertops are a notable addition to any home. Whether natural stone countertops, solid surfaces, or any other material, the surfaces can make a statement.

While all of this is true, there are certainly times when your budget may not allow you to buy a kitchen countertop you desire. If that’s the case, you don’t need to worry.

Replacing kitchen countertops on a budget is easier than most people perceive it to be. There are many inexpensive products that will help you achieve a high-end look for your kitchen remodel.

Although you won’t be able to afford gemstone countertops on a tight budget, there are a lot of kitchen countertop options for your home.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is one of the best options to consider when you are replacing your kitchen countertops on a budget. Moreover, they are easy to install, and you can easily DIY them.

You can also get several styles and design options while choosing it. The only drawback is that you will have to deal with the grout lines. When it comes to the cost, ceramic tile countertops, on average, usually cost between $10 to $15 per square foot.

Laminate

Other than tile, another option for replacing your kitchen countertop on a budget is laminate. While laminate countertops were standard in the past, the surfaces are still popular as ever.

While they may be popular, you cannot repair damages on laminates easily, and you will need to be cautious regarding the maintenance. Laminate countertops usually cost $20 to $50 per square foot making it an affordable countertop option.

Marble

Marble is the most beautiful countertop material available to date, though it does require your attention. When replacing countertops, marble is still the top choice for most homeowners during a kitchen remodel.

However, marble isn’t a perfect countertop. It is porous and requires high maintenance, but on the other hand, marble can tremendously increase real estate value. Marble, being a porous material, an acidic liquid like lemon juice or vinegar can etch marble, leaving a dull, whitish mark.

Marble countertops also come in various quality options, the cost of marble countertop is around $15 to $190.

Cultured Marble

Cultured marble is a faux marble surface that has seen a surge in popularity as an alternative to natural marble. These countertops are made by combining polyester resin, pigments, fillers, and most importantly, marble dust.

Cultured marble surfaces are designed to mimic marble’s appearance while offering the resistance to stain, which you don’t get while buying natural stone countertops. Apart from this, cultured marble countertops typically cost between $30 to $100 per square foot making it an affordable alternative to marble.

Granite

Granite is one of the most popular choices among homeowners, even if they are looking to replace their kitchen countertops on a budget. You can find these natural stone surfaces in a variety of colors and styles. Besides, they are very durable and need low maintenance.

Best of all, granite countertops are heat, stain, and scratch-resistant. However, you may need to apply a sealant annually, but this process is quick and simple.

Besides kitchen countertops, granite is an ideal material for kitchen island tops and backsplashes as well. When deciding on countertop options, granite is a truly remarkable natural stone you will come across. Though while buying granite countertops, keep in mind that granite countertops usually cost between $32 to $75 per square foot.

Cultured Granite

Cultured granite looks similar to natural granite, and much like it, cultured granite countertops are often used as an alternative to the natural one.

While natural granite is one of the most appealing surfaces you will ever find, if you really want to install a surface that needs resealing, cultured granite is for you. Further, these surfaces cost between $35 to $70 per square foot, depending on their colors and patterns.

Quartz

When replacing kitchen countertops on a budget, you should seriously consider quartz. Quartz is a plug-and-play alternative to natural stones like granite and marble because it doesn’t require sealing and is quite robust for the kitchen’s environment.

Quartz is a man-made stone formed by combing around 90 percent of ground quartz with 8 to 10 percent resins, pigments, and polymers. As a result, quartz forms a hard surface similar to granite and proves as a viable alternative to granite countertop.

The appearance depends on how the quartz is ground because coarsely ground quartz produces a flecked appearance; on the other hand, finely ground quartz has a smooth look.

Quartz kitchen countertops usually cost around $15 to $70 per square foot on average.

Limestone

Limestone is a natural stone formed primarily from calcium carbonate. They are generally pure white to off-white. Moreover, there are other color variations like beige, ivory, grey, brown, red, and yellow, but color tones are typically natural.

Furthermore, limestone is a porous, soft, and chemically sensitive countertop option. Acids or acidic solutions can etch them. As a result, maintenance and care are necessary. These countertops require regular sealing in order to protect them from staining.

Being a soft stone, you need to be careful not to use your knives without a chopping board. On average, limestone countertops generally cost between $10 to $70 making it a top option for those replacing kitchen countertops on a budget.

Travertine

Travertine countertops create a beautiful and delicate aesthetic in your kitchen. The unique veining and imperfections make this stone a highly desired choice for homeowners who are replacing their kitchen countertop on a budget.

Travertine countertops are extremely durable and last longer than most other materials discussed here. Compared to other countertop options, travertine is much easier to cut and shape, making it a top option for those who want a unique kitchen countertop design.

However, the biggest drawback of travertine countertop is that they can easily react to acids. Even a little bit of citrus-based juice can cause a stain. If any liquid isn’t wiped off immediately, it can leave you with an etched surface.

Travertine countertops usually cost around $11 to $35.

Solid Surface

Solid surface countertops have been around for more than 50 years and are a top choice for the perfect kitchen countertop. It is a perfect budget countertop material as the solid surface countertops generally cost around $20 to $75, on average.

The idea behind the solid surface countertop was to have a surface that looked reasonably like natural stone, yet unlike stone, would be non-porous and affordable.

Homeowners who want to have a solid surface as their countertop material should be extra careful to use cutting boards because it is soft and can be scratched by knives or sharp utensils. Moreover, it can be deformed by temperatures higher than 250F.