Cheaper Granite Look Alikes - HomeAdvisor

Marble Countertop: ©Iriana Shiyan – stock.adobe.com

Although granite counters are an extremely popular choice, they may not work in every situation or appeal to everyone. If granite just doesn’t feel like the right fit for your home or budget, finding attractive and high-value alternatives can seem difficult. Fortunately, there are plenty of other choices that offer beauty, durability, and a great return on your investment.

Check out these nine popular granite alternative countertops to find the one that fits your style and budget.

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1. Marble

Marble countertops cost $1,000 to $10,000 depending on your location and the size of your kitchen. Marble countertops create an inviting and timeless look, whether you choose clean, classic white marble or one of the dozens of other colors available.

The natural mineral deposits and impurities in this stone give rise to streaks, specks, and unusual patterns, which ensure that your surface looks utterly unique.

Cost $125-$200 per square foot Appearance White with unique streaks, specks and patterns Pros Unique, high-end look Cons

Soft and porous

Easy to scratch and stain

Maintenance

High maintenance–seal annually

Lifespan 100+ years

• Softer and more porous than granite.
• More prone to scratching, etching, or staining.
• Appearance will change slightly over time.
• Clean up spills quickly and treat the surface ever year with a special sealer.

2. Quartz & Engineered Stone

If you love the idea of marble countertops but want an option that is a little more uniform or low-maintenance, choose engineered quartz. Quartz countertops cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 or more.

Cost $50-$150 per square foot Appearance Wide range of colors and patterns Pros

Lower cost than granite

Health friendly with no VOCs

Cons

Less heat-tolerant than granite

More expensive than laminate and tile

Maintenance Low maintenance–no sealing required Lifespan 100+ years

Consider a few more points:

• Explore the differences between granite vs. quartz countertops before making a decision.
• Caesarstone and Silestone, like all quartz counters, are a mix of quartz and resin that creates a strong, nonporous surface.
• Health-friendly option, since they do not release harmful byproducts or worsen allergies.

3. Wood

To many people, wood offers a beauty that other materials, whether natural or engineered, simply can’t rival. Traditional wood countertops can add immediate warmth to your kitchen or elegance to your bathrooms. If you are willing to put in a little extra work, wood can add value and timeless beauty to your home. Installing wood countertops costs $2,000 to $4,500.

Cost $35-$200 per square foot Appearance Warm, wood grains in a variety of colors Pros Most types are cheap and easy to install Cons

Unless epoxy sealed, very high maintenance

Prone to scratches and burns

Maintenance

Clean and oil every 3-6 months. Sand out scratches as needed

Lifespan 100+ years

Wood offers a surface that is:

• Warm to the touch.
• Quiet to work on.
• Weathered and only improves with time.
• Prone to drying. Oil two or three times per year to prevent drying.

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4. Tile

Tile countertops are an appealing option for more creatively-inclined homeowners because they allow for full customization of color and pattern. Ceramic or porcelain tile also creates a polished, classic look that will stand the test of time with proper care and maintenance.

Cost $5-$30 per square foot Appearance Extremely wide selection of colors, textures and sizes Pros Cheap materials, good for DIY Cons Grout lines and uneven surfaces Maintenance High maintenance–reseal grout every year Lifespan 20+ years with proper maintenance

• Installing tile countertops costs $3,000 to $5,000.
• Scrubbing the grout between the tiles to remove food particles and prevent staining is essential, and this task can be time-consuming.
• Grout usually needs to be resealed every year. Aggressive cleaning can harm the tile finish, while excessive force can cause chips or cracks. However, with caution and proper care, tile can offer a unique and beautiful look for years.

5. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel counters create a sleek, clean, and highly modern feeling. These modern metal designs turn your kitchen into a culinary focal point that is sure to satisfy any home chef. They’re incredibly durable and match almost any décor. Installing stainless steel counters costs $4,000 to $11,300.

Cost

$75-$150 per square foot

Most expensive option

Appearance

Modern stainless or black stainless appearance

industrial look

Pros Extremely durable and easy to clean Cons Dents and scratches easily Maintenance Very low to zero maintenance beside cleaning Lifespan 200+ years

6. Concrete

Concrete is another highly functional and attractive material. It’s incredibly heavy and usually needs additional supports. It combines the modern look of stainless steel with the natural attractiveness of stone surfaces. Installing concrete countertops costs $5,000 to $10,000.

Cost $70-$150 per square foot Appearance

Ultra-modern with a wide variety of finishes and colors

Completely customizable shapes and thicknesses

Pros

Durable with built in sinks as an option

Highly customizable

Cons

Heavy and requires professional installation

Without sealants, concrete is porous and will absorb liquids

Maintenance Regular sealing with epoxy or concrete sealant to avoid stains Lifespan 50+ years

7. Laminate

Laminate counters come in a wide range of quality, styles and colors. Cheap versions sit at the back of most big box stores while high definition granite look-alikes come custom from the manufacturer. Laminate countertop installation costs $800 to $1,700.

Cost $25-$50 per square foot Appearance Almost any pattern and color available from wood to stone looks Pros

Inexpensive option with overlays instead of new installs available.

Wide range of styles

Easy to cover with new laminate or epoxy

Cons

Not the most aesthetically pleasing

Not as durable as stone

Shortest counter lifespan

Easy to damage with heat, cuts and impacts

Maintenance

Low maintenance

Can be coated with epoxy for extended durability

Lifespan 15-25 years

8. Recycled and Sintered Stone

Sintered stone is a used composite of stone, glass, porcelain, ceramic, silica and sometimes other minerals. Costs vary widely.

Cost $30-$80 per square foot Appearance Depends on the source materials used Pros

Environmentally friendly and very durable

Resistant to scratching, heat, bacteria and stains

Cons Doesn’t look like granite Maintenance

Low-maintenance

May need resealing with clear epoxy

Lifespan 30+ years

9. Soapstone

Soapstone, a quarried stone with a high concentration of talc, makes a great countertop surface. Though it’s slightly softer than granite, it doesn’t require sealing. It’s denser than most other natural stones. It comes in various shades of gray with blueish or greenish hues. Soapstone installation costs $1,500 to $2,000 for a 30-square-foot slab.

Cost $70-$120 per square foot Appearance Blueish or greenish grays Pros >Very durable and hard quarried stone

High heat resistance

Cons

Doesn’t look like granite and is slightly softer

Cuts, scratches and chips easier than other natural or engineered stones

Maintenance

Low maintenance

No sealing required besides mineral oil

Lifespan 100+ years

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Cheap Kitchen Countertop Alternatives

Material Cheap to Expensive (Per Square Foot)* Laminate $25-$65 Solid Surface $35-$70 Granite $40-$100 Marble/Quartz/Engineered Stone $50-$90 Wood $50-$100 Soapstone $50-$100 Stainless Steel $65-$150

*Material cost only. Labor costs run $35 to $100 per square foot, regardless of the type of material you choose.

For an even cheaper makeover, try an epoxy kit applied by a professional. They’re durable and you can customize them to fit your home, even make them look like granite. Regardless of the type of material you choose, countertop installation costs total an average of $2,000 to $4,000.

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Countertops That Look Like Granite

Due to granites popularity, most countertop types and brands include options that mimic the look of granite.

• Quartz and marble often have their own unique look. However, since they are often engineered, they can mimic almost any look.
• Laminates can copy any look of any surface.
• Get a granite look without the granite countertop cost using a colored epoxy kit to cover any type of surface.

Lightweight Countertop Material Alternatives

If you’re looking to shed weight, ditch stone or engineered stone alternatives. The options remaining include:

• Put this over engineered wood or reinforced plywood.
• Stainless Steel. Works just like laminate, covering a wood substrate.
• Solid Wood. Butcher block styles tend to weight at a fraction of any stone style.

Cheap Countertop Alternative Considerations & ROI

The return on your investment in new countertops depends heavily on your location, home style, neighborhood value and the material you choose. But there are other things to consider before starting your project.

• Long-Term Planning: When choosing your non-granite surface to spend money on & install, it is important to consider what you want in the long-term. Are you hoping to add value to a home that you may be selling soon, or are you trying to choose a timeless look that you will love for years?

• Lifestyle Considerations: It is also smart to make concessions about your lifestyle. For instance, if you have young children, or if cleaning isn’t your strong suit, you may get a better value by focusing on functionality and durability rather than appearance or trendiness.

With the many choices available today, finding the right countertop can be challenging, but with some research and thought, it can be done. Considering these six options can be a great starting point, since they are all difficult to go wrong with if you want a granite alternative that still offers the same level of versatility, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

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FAQs

What’s an inexpensive granite option?

Buying granite tile or overlays can save you up to 50% off a new installation. But it’s not always cheaper. Talk to a professional installer for options and costs.

What’s the best imitation granite alternative for DIYers?

An epoxy coating kit is the best imitation granite alternative for a DIYer.

What substitute is better than granite for durability?

Engineered stone countertops have better durability than most granite.

What’s the best quartz alternative?

Granite, marble and engineered solid surface stone are the best quartz alternatives as far as durability and cost.

What’s a good countertop that looks like marble?

Epoxy countertops make great marble replacements. They can be made to look similar and are highly durable.

Is soapstone cheaper than granite?

Soapstone, costing $2,700 to $4,200, costs about the same as granite.

What is a composite granite countertop?

Composite granite countertops are a type of engineered stone, typically made from 90% quartz and 10% resin.

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When it comes to countertops in your home, you have plenty of choices. Among the two most popular are Corian and quartz. In this post, we’re going to compare the two in an effort to help you decide between them effectively. 

Corian vs. Quartz Countertops: What Are They?

Before we go any further, it’s worth exploring exactly what Corian and quartz are. 

What is Corian?

While Corian is a brand name, the term is commonly used to refer to any type of solid surface containing polymer and natural minerals. It is a lower-priced material than quartz and other premium countertops. This low cost is Corian’s primary call to fame.

What is Quartz?

Quartz, on the other hand, is a natural rock used to create quartz countertops. Caesarstone is the most renowned and popular manufacturer of quartz, which has led to our brand name becoming near-synonymous with countertops made from it.

As with Corian, quartz combines natural minerals with man-made materials (resins, in this case). The blend of these materials is typically higher, though. At Caesarstone, we use roughly 90% loose quartz, with the rest of the surface being resins and polymers. Corian consists of roughly 33% synthetic polymer and 66% minerals.

Corian vs. Quartz Countertops: Detailed Comparisons

Pictured: Fresh Concrete 4001

Now that you know the difference between quartz and Corian, let’s put the two head-to-head against each other in several categories. Note that we won’t dive into the full list of quartz countertop benefits. This should be enough to give you an idea of why quartz is the preferred material, though.

What Costs More – Quartz or Corian?

Caesarstone quartz generally costs more per square foot than Corian. Because quartz countertops are more durable and easier to maintain, however, the cost of ownership is typically less over time.

Keep reading to learn more about why many consumers are willing to pay more for Caesarstone quartz.

Corian vs. Quartz Countertops: Pros and Cons

Pro For Quartz: Strength and Functionality

Corian countertops were developed in response to laminate, a much weaker and lower-quality option. While Corian will last longer than laminate, it simply cannot compete with the resilience and durability of quartz. Quartz resists scratches, mold, and mildew, while Corian is not as durable

Pro For Corian: It Can Conduct Electricity

Aside from the low cost, it’s difficult to find many real advantages for Corian versus quartz. One nifty feature, though, is Corian’s ability to offer wireless charging. Some homeowners might consider this a bit gimmicky but it’s true. Some Corian surfaces do allow you to charge mobile devices on top of them. This may be advantageous if you’d like to look at your iPad for recipes without worrying about the battery.

Keep in mind that this feature will cost you, though. There may also be additional maintenance requirements.

Pro For Quartz: More Classic Styling

While we want our home surfaces to stand up to the chaos and energy of our activities, we also expect it to look good in the process. Design pros at Houzz.com applaud quartz for its clean looks and wide range of patterns. 

Quartz’s primarily natural composition means the looks never go out of style. Of Corian, however, professionals at Houzz also state that it has a “patently artificial look and feel.”

Pro For Quartz: Heat Resistance

On the topic of Corian vs. quartz, price should not be your primary concern. You also need to think about how the material of your choosing will hold up to the elements in your kitchen. Chief among these is heat.

Accidents happen and you may occasionally spill hot liquids or be forced to place a hot pan down directly on your countertop. We don’t recommend you do this with quartz (particularly with Honed or Rough finishes) but it will typically hold up much better than Corian would under the same circumstances. Remember, Corian contains a large amount of polymer. That doesn’t stand up to heat as well as natural stone does.

Pro For Quartz: Resale Value

Another reason to avoid tackling the topic of Corian vs. quartz from a price standpoint entirely is that the former does not increase resale value nearly as well as the latter.

Consumers do not consider Corian to be a premium countertop material. At best, it is a slightly better alternative to laminate. Quartz, on the other hand, has surpassed even natural stone when it comes to desirability. 

Conclusion

Corian is a branded name used in reference to solid surface countertops. These surfaces are a step up from laminate but still lack the durability and aesthetics that would allow them to compete with natural stone such as quartz.

This is one of the primary reasons Corian offers poor resale value compared to quartz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Corian cheaper than quartz countertops?

Corian is cheaper than quartz upfront. You can expect to pay between $40 and $65 per square foot for Corian while quartz starts at $40 and can extend well beyond $200 per square foot.

Corian will cost more over the long haul due to the material’s fragility and poor resale value.

Is Corian cheaper than granite?

Corian is also cheaper than granite upfront. Granite has some major issues of its own, though, that may even give Corian the slight edge-up on it. For one, granite is porous. You need to seal it as often as twice yearly, otherwise, it will stain. Corian is like quartz in that it is nonporous and, as such, highly resistant to staining.

Can you put hot pans on Corian countertops?

Placing a hot pan on Corian will almost certainly leave a mark, so experts do not advise this. Keep trivets and heat pads handy at all times.

Since when is Corian out of style?

Corian was trendy in the 1980s as consumers looked for something superior to laminate. Since then, it has maintained some popularity but still falls short of quartz in this area.

How do you keep Corian countertops shiny?

Maintaining the glossy finish on your Corian countertops typically entails buffing with a microfiber cloth and special polish. Glossy Caesarstone countertops, meanwhile, have a durable finish capable of holding their shine for years with the proper care (i.e. cleaning spills immediately and avoiding the use of abrasive detergents).

Does Corian scratch easily?

Corian scratches easily compared to Caesarstone quartz. On the Mohs hardness scale, the sort of plastics used in Corian countertops rank 2 whereas mineral quartz (which is used in Caesarstone countertops) ranks 7.