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Once you get above the $250,000 range, solid surface counters are a must have. That or figure in a few thousand less in offers as people will want to upgrade. Laminate counter tops really don't have a place in houses over $250,000. And a lot of nwe homes under $200,000 will have granite or something similar now. Tile countertops, laminate, etc are all WAY out of fashion and will hurt resell.
We just did a big home remodel/addition project and we completely gutted and rebuilt the kitchen. We went with granite, just something conservative. We didn't care for the wild movement pieces for the kitchen. For the master bath, we bought a really cool piece of granite with lots of movement, looks really nice. For the 3rd floor small bath, we picked out a nice remnant piece of granite. My wife's mother and sister both have silestone, but we didn't think it was worth the extra expense over granite and the choices seemed limited.
If I was moving into a 1911 home, I would prefer butcher block countertops for its looks, but I guess I'm in the minority. If it was a home built in the last 10 or 15 years, I'd want granite, quartz, or silestone.
Thanks for all the replies. I think I might be leaning toward quartz or possibly granite at this point. I do most of the cooking and Dh would not be stubborn about counter top finishes if I didn't like something, I just want to make sure it's not a bad choice if we decide to sell. The house is a 1960's era around 200k, but other houses in the neighborhood that have been upgraded have sold in the 300's recently. I do like the look of granite, but not the glare that I have seen in some. Someone said I could get a more muted finish to it, which I will look in to. The other problem is my kids. They are responsible for putting away the clean dishes from the dishwasher. They often climb up on the counters to reach the cabinets. I don't want there to be any mishaps. I want the kitchen to be as kid friendly as possible. I don't like the description I have heard on this thread of the Corian looking/feeling like plastic. I don't want something that feels fake.
I do like the look of granite, but not the glare that I have seen in some. Someone said I could get a more muted finish to it, which I will look in to.
Google "honed finish" or stop by the showroom at the Tile Shop on Glenwood where they have samples of finishes out on display. It really helps to see and feel the finishes in person.
I think it really just depends on the house, the neighborhood, and how much you're looking to spend. I don't really like granite but it's in the right price point for our house and neighborhood. I love the look of custom concrete countertops but we would never make our money back in resale. I've seen some houses where they'll do a mix of granite and butcher block which also looks really nice.
But no matter what you do, don't bother replacing the countertops if the cabinets are also crappy in the kitchen (which I'm guessing they are if you're starting out of laminate). We have the same issue in our house and if we just replaced the countertops without addressing the horrific cabinets (they look like they belong in a pirate ship galley), it would just be an epic waste of time and money.
I think it really just depends on the house, the neighborhood, and how much you're looking to spend. I don't really like granite but it's in the right price point for our house and neighborhood. I love the look of custom concrete countertops but we would never make our money back in resale. I've seen some houses where they'll do a mix of granite and butcher block which also looks really nice.
But no matter what you do, don't bother replacing the countertops if the cabinets are also crappy in the kitchen (which I'm guessing they are if you're starting out of laminate). We have the same issue in our house and if we just replaced the countertops without addressing the horrific cabinets (they look like they belong in a pirate ship galley), it would just be an epic waste of time and money.
The cabinets are older, but still in very good condition and have been recently painted. They are solid wood, painted white. We're planning on just changing out the drawer pulls and it will look very cute and cottage-y, which fits the house very well.
Speaking of a trend that will go out of style, concrete counters are definitely a fad. I think people overlook them because they sound so industrial and more suitable for a city loft. They are not something I would suggest for a traditional or transitional suburban house.
You must have not seen them more than a couple of times. While I have seen them in lofts, I have seen them in suburban homes and they look amazing. Concrete is versatile so you can make it look how you want. I sold a house earlier this year in the suburbs with them, and the buyers could not stop talking about it. The counters truly sold that house.
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