Countertop Intelligence
Last updated in May 2018
Click here for ratings of local countertop suppliers.
Countertop materials range from wood to plastics to metal to stone. Manufactured quartz—formed from stone chips, resins, and pigments—is edging out natural stone materials in popularity, thanks in part to its durability and its availability in zillions of colors. (There’s also a kind of natural stone called quartzite, which is swirled gray and white but behaves more like marble or granite.) Major brands include Caesarstone, Cambria, and Silestone. Quartz and quartzite prices are on par with granite.
Other of-the-moment counter options: concrete, bamboo, and stainless steel. The last stands up to Top Chef-style cooking and provides a dose of industrial cool. Marble—classic and elegant—is a top choice in Europe and looks terrific, but it is prone to chips and—if not well-sealed—stains. Some people consider this weathered chic; others deem it shabby.
Most countertop materials are available in a range of finishes, the two most popular being polished (glossy) and honed (matte). Ask to see samples of “leathered” or “pebbled” styles, which appear earthier and more textured.
You'll also have to select a type of edge. You can get beveled, rounded, and eased or straight profiles. Eased and beveled look more modern; rounded edges appear more traditional and are less prone to chipping.
Then there's color. Thanks to improved technology, manmade materials like quartz and affordable laminates can mimic the look of hard-to-maintain marble and come in zillions of patterns and colors. Creams and whites remain hip, though black (particularly in popular-but-finicky soapstone) is also trendy.
Once you've made all these countertop calls, shop for the best price. The table below shows prices our undercover shoppers were quoted by local companies to supply and install a countertop made with Black Galaxy granite, using the exact same design. As you can see, prices varied dramatically, from $2,088 to $4,334. And Home Depot and Lowe’s did not offer the lowest prices.
Of course, quality of fabrication and installation is at least as important as price. Check the customer reviews of countertop suppliers and installers for ratings of area outfits. Also check with friends, ask to see examples of a company’s recent installations, and note how closely a company’s staff listens to you and how carefully they measure.
Ask retailers about their warranties. Do they cover repairing or replacing counters if they stain, chip, or crack? Know that it’s far easier to get a warranty on quartz or another manufactured product than on granite; since manufactured counter materials are brand-name and engineered, they usually come with a guarantee against chips, scratching, or warping for 10 to 20 years. Granite and natural stones are usually ineligible for such warranties.
Most vendors can have your new countertops cut and installed within a week to 10 days, unless your material is out of stock. Be sure your designer or countertop seller comes to measure beforehand to prevent cutting mistakes.
Lots of homeowners who buy new kitchens don’t have fond memories of the experience (to put it mildly). But there is much you can do to ensure smooth redos, starting with insisting on a solid contract. Click here for lots of advice on how to supervise and survive large remodeling projects. We also offer advice on selecting cabinets.
Illustrative Granite Countertop Prices* |
Price (including fabrication and installation) |
|---|---|
| Factory Plaza 429 Evergreen Ave, Bensenville, 630-616-9999 |
$2,088 |
| B & B Formica Corian & Granite 5617 W Grand Ave, Chicago, 773-804-1015 |
$2,235 |
| Midwest Stone 23736 W 119th St, Plainfield, 815-254-6600 |
$2,264 |
| AMF Brothers Granite & Marble 2925 Lucy Ln, Franklin Park, 847-928-2209 |
$2,306 |
| House of Granite & Marble 5112 Pearl St, Schiller Park, 847-928-1111 |
$2,308 |
| A-American Custom Flooring 7777 N Caldwell Ave, Niles, 847-966-0500 |
$2,352 |
| Sprovieri’s Custom Counters 55 W Laura Dr, Addison, 630-543-3400 |
$2,538 |
| Stonecrafters 430 W Wegner Rd, Lakemoor, 815-363-8730 |
$2,601 |
| Granite Corp 1501 US Highway 34, Oswego, 630-801-9955 |
$2,668 |
| Best Buy Carpet & Granite 585 S Route 59, Aurora, 630-820-1439 |
$2,693 |
| TTS Granite 3225 Louis Sherman Dr, Steger, 708-755-5200 |
$2,707 |
| Granite & Marble Depot 19636 97th Ave #1, Mokena, 708-479-7770 |
$2,730 |
| Heartland Granite 701 N Commerce St, Aurora, 630-499-8000 |
$2,825 |
| Mastercraft Marble & Granite 736 N Western Ave, Lake Forest, 847-295-9900 |
$3,010 |
| Home Depot Multiple locations |
$3,162 |
| Bison Outlet Kitchen & Baths 8716 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Lawn, 708-430-3010 |
$3,333 |
| Stonecutters 2014 Lehigh Ave, Glenview, 847-657-9000 |
$3,343 |
| Tithof Tile & Marble 1657 Old Skokie Rd, Highland Park, 847-831-3444 |
$3,382 |
| Marble & Granite Tech 817 W Northwest Hwy, Barrington, 847-713-8023 |
$3,557 |
| Lowe’s Multiple locations |
$3,695 |
| Stone City 3053 W Grand Ave, Chicago, 773-533-9806 |
$4,334 |
| * Prices are for Black Galaxy granite and include fabrication and installation for three countertop sections, each 3 centimeters thick with standard square edge, with the following measurements: (1) 77" x 24"; 79" x 24 " with a sink cutout; and 541/2" x 24". No seams (each section fabricated from the same material). Companies were provided drawings, measurements, and additional specifications and instructions. | |