Counter tops (flooring, overlay, how much, granite tile)

[PeacePlease]

I have a quick question about counter tops. Our kitchen has tile counter tops (white tiles). The cabinets are also white. Now we like the cabinets and seem to be in a great shape (may need few touch ups). We do want to change the counter tops and add a backsplash.

Recently we visited a friend's house and noticed that they have similar cabinets but with, what looks like, granite tile counter tops. The tiles are almost black (or dark grey) and the grout is almost a matching color. We were impressed and to be honest we couldn't tell that these are tiles until we got close enough.

So my question is, how much cost difference between a solid slab vs tiles for CTs (say for granite or quartz)? say this is a medium sized kitchen with an island (that has a cooktop)?

I understand that a solid surface is better because grout can get stained and hard to clean. However if the cost difference is significant enough, then it might make sense.

Thanks!

[Cosmic]

Tile is very cheap compared. Plus it is well within DIY project for many folks. Easy to estimate your costs. Just get the tiles you like and do the math based on their price.

Most of the fancy solid counters like granite, etc are not something most DIYer can handle, they typically are the big bucks range.

Even if you have to do a total rip out tile is still cheap if you can do all the work. Materials are nominal if you can salvage the present counter base by removal of present tile.

If you are limp wristed and have to have the work contracted out, no counter top work is cheap.

[JanuaryGirl]

It is significantly cheaper to do tile rather than slab. Another benefit is that if one tile gets damaged for some reason the whole thing won't need to be replaced.

[desertsun41]

The difference in price is massive. Price per sq ft for granite slab starts at around $50. One sq ft of granite tile is about $5. A $45 difference per sq ft.

The big difference is the tile is a DIY project with some basic skills. Granite slab is impossible for the DIYer. Many granite installers are Union workers.

Here is the big problem with tile. Nearly all tile is 12" X 12" right? Well all counter tops are 25" deep. (24" deep base cabinet plus 1" overhang) So if you use 2 tiles you have an inch left. No can do !!!! You dont want one inch slivers all across the back. So if you search real real hard you will find 13" X 13" tiles. Then you have 1 inch to trim off which you will cut from the back row. Then you take whole tiles and rip them in half. All these halves will be your back splash.

Now for your face. I have only recently learned that a quality tile store will sell matching color 36" lengths of front edge for the face. This will prevent you from needing to cut all those 1.5" face pieces. I have seen some people use V-Cap which only comes in ceramic. They used a black V-Cap and used black granite tile. It all looked pretty good I guess. I could tell but I suspect the average Joe could not.

May I suggest another idea if you want granite but dont want the mess of demo-ing the old tiles. Go here: Granicrete International :: concrete counter tops, overlay flooring, decorative concrete coatings, landscape architecture design What this is is a quarter inch thick fake granite that is custom fit in one piece to go right on top of your old.....whatever may be. Even 4X4 tiles. They make a template of your existing top and custom make like a veneer cover that covers the old top and over the front edge, all seamless. You have your choice of edges and a few dozen color choices. You can look at these in person from almost any local home show held in most big cities. This product is almost indestructable and food safe....unlike real granite.

Hope that helps.......

[SunInHair]

If you can afford it, go with slab granite. It can also add significant resale value to your home. BUT, be sure you have a reputable company install it who specializes in it. Tiles are more forgiving--the base cabinets must be *perfectly* level for the granite slab.

[PeacePlease]

Thanks for all the replies.

[texdav]

Might want to look at Quartz also;getting very popular.

[PeacePlease]

Originally Posted by texdav

Might want to look at Quartz also;getting very popular.

Do they make them in tiles? and if yes, how does the price compare to one piece slabs? Thanks

[cashmannsdq]

I will echo the Quartz as an alternative. A bit more economic as opposed to granite - but does not have to be sealed like granite does.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by PeacePlease

Do they make them in tiles? and if yes, how does the price compare to one piece slabs? Thanks

In my showroom I dont get involved too much with countertop recomendation, only cabinets. I just know the pricing is exactly the same as granite.

Quartz does not come in tile squares. Quartz is much much heavier then granite. Many people call quartz by a brand name Silestone. Silestone probably is the best brand of quartz. And like some one already said, it is food safe which means you do not have to seal it like you must with granite.

I see far too many people cutting raw chicken on granite, wipe it with a cloth and then cut lettuce right on top of it. Then they feed the salmonella infested salad to their kids. Granite is very obsorbant while quartz/Silestone does not absorb.