Countertops--price rank

[Anonymous]

In general, with some outliers here and there, help me list countertop price ranges in order. Is it this (from most expensive to least):

1. Marble
2. Quartzite
3. Quartz
4. Concrete
5. Granite

????? I'm trying to set my budget expectations for our kitchen reno and my contractor is pushing for granite.

[Anonymous]

I don't think marble is most expensive, not by a long shot. Also there is wide variation in granite pricing depending on the availability of the stone, and sone variability among quarts ( newer colors sometimes have a hefty up charge. ) I'd guess concrete is cheapest of the ones you list.

[Anonymous]

What are YOU pushing for? marble is pretty but absorbent. Granite is widely available in many colors. I don't think it is over --seems to be getting more popular among regular people.

[Anonymous]

I'd go with Quartz if your house is worth 1.2M or above. Granite is fine in any price range below that.

[Anonymous]

There is a large range in the price of marbles. Carerra marble (which is the most common marble used for counters) can be cheaper than most granites. Calcatta marble is probably one of the most expensive counter materials you can buy. Granite is generally the least expensive of your list, but ranges pretty substantially depending on type and some granites can be more expensive than quartz.

[Anonymous]

I just built a house and looked at many different countertop materials. Yes, generally marble is the most expensive on your list. I think quartz is more than quartzite, but I did notice that during the year I was working on my house, quartzite became more popular and certain types of slabs would sell out as soon as they came in so maybe it's more expensive now. They also charge a premium for certain granites - for example, I got leathered cambrian black which was considered a "premium" stone (although not as much as marble). I don't know how much concrete is because I didn't look at it.

If you haven't already, go wander around a stone fabricator and look at the different stones. It'll help you decide what you like.

[Anonymous]

Is granite really cheaper than concrete?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is granite really cheaper than concrete?

No way. I hate concrete too. So many ways it can go wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is granite really cheaper than concrete?

No way. I hate concrete too. So many ways it can go wrong.

We're renovating a kitchen and were considering concrete (among others listed here) ... interested in your experience/knowledge of the downsides to concrete? thx!

[Anonymous]

We just went through this (had over 200 sq ft of countertop space to cover). The short answer is that pricing is not so simple, and I agree with what others have already said. There are some granites you can get for a low price, and there are some that can be really expensive. Same for marble. It depends on a variety of factors. The only one that was consistently in the higher priced range was the quartz (which is a man made product) and quartzite (natural stone).

As to concrete, never looked at that as an option so don't know where it would fall in line.

[Anonymous]

Some of the eco materials are even more (e.g. the ones that look similar to quartz but use recycled glass instead of quarts pieces in them).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of the eco materials are even more (e.g. the ones that look similar to quartz but use recycled glass instead of quarts pieces in them).

That eco and concrete stuff is very fadish and expensive. Not sure about that. I am thinking it will be the avocado or floral print counters of the future very quickly.

[Anonymous]

marble is expensive if you have to replace it more frequently because it etches and stains.

huge variation in granite and quartz costs depending on color, material, etc--and even in quartz costs. We compared a mid/high range granite (blue pearl GT) with a lesser known quartz manufacturer--the same price.

don't forget soapstone and even vermont slate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:marble is expensive if you have to replace it more frequently because it etches and stains.

huge variation in granite and quartz costs depending on color, material, etc--and even in quartz costs. We compared a mid/high range granite (blue pearl GT) with a lesser known quartz manufacturer--the same price.

don't forget soapstone and even vermont slate.

Slate is a great option which no one told me about when I did my kitchen. Not as expensive and doesn't stain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:marble is expensive if you have to replace it more frequently because it etches and stains.

huge variation in granite and quartz costs depending on color, material, etc--and even in quartz costs. We compared a mid/high range granite (blue pearl GT) with a lesser known quartz manufacturer--the same price.

don't forget soapstone and even vermont slate.

soapstone is terrible worse than marble for durability and staining.