Of all the upgrades you can make to your home, the one with the highest return on investment is the kitchen. Practically any improvement here will increase the overall value of the home, particularly upgrading the countertops.
According to The Journal of Light Construction, a minor kitchen remodel, which involves replacing laminate countertops among other minor updates, could yield a return of 96 percent if you sell your home.
So, it’s no wonder that many homeowners aim to replace their existing countertops with a higher-end stone option such as marble, granite, or quartz.
Before you jump on the bandwagon and switch your existing countertops to stone countertops, it’s a good idea to consider the pros and cons.
The Expectation: Why Homeowners Want to Make an Upgrade
While there are some homeowners who upgrade their countertops in anticipation of a higher return on investment, others do it strictly to improve home decor. Not every homeowner wants to sell their home.
Instead, some want greater enjoyment from the countertops in their home, whether aesthetically or functionally. Stone countertops can fit into these expectations perfectly since they are both beautiful and durable.
Marble and granite both come from quarries in which each cut of these types of stone will yield a beautiful, unique countertop. Quartz countertops are engineered from quartz minerals and can be mixed with pigments and resins that make them as unique as natural stones.
Marble, granite, and quartz are pretty strong stones and can handle most of the routine kitchen tasks you perform regularly.
The Reality: Cost and Maintenance Considerations
Stone countertops are a very beautiful addition to your kitchen that can transform the space exponentially and result in a higher return on investment than regular countertops. However, there are some considerations to switching to stone countertops.
Although these countertops are durable, maintenance costs can increase the ownership costs as time goes on. Etching, staining, cracking, and other issues that could arise with these countertops may require maintenance from a countertop professional. In worst-case scenarios, such as severe heat damage or irreparable chipping, entire portions of the stone may need replacement.
Tips
To keep maintenance issues to a minimum, you can seal your marble or granite. However, this must be done regularly every few years, which could incur another unforeseen cost. Sealing is essential and worth doing to get the most out of your countertops. With proper care they can last decades.
Luckily, quartz countertops don’t have to be sealed. Since they aren’t as porous as marble and granite, they are more resistant to stains and etching. The biggest threat to quartz is scorching it. Even though it can withstand high heat, it’s ideal to avoid placing hot pans and other high-heat items on the surface. Unlike granite and marble, the high heat can melt the polymer resins within quartz countertops.
Other Things to Consider
Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind when making the switch from your existing countertops to stone ones is the weight of stone countertops. These can be 18 to 22 pounds heavier than laminate countertops. This means that the current lower cabinets in the kitchen may need reinforcements to sustain the additional weight from stone countertops.
These reinforcements may be as simple as adding shims or as complex as replacing current cabinets with all-new ones that can support the added weight. This easily adds several thousand to the budget. In some instances, the entire cabinetry system may need replacement, top and bottom, to avoid a mismatch, driving the costs up substantially.
Home upgrades can sometimes come with unexpected costs. However, they are often well worth the investment, whether you plan to sell your home or stay and enjoy your refreshed space, especially when the project includes gorgeous new stone countertops.
Plan Your Stone Countertop Upgrade with Confidence
Wisconsin Granite Design in Oak Creek can help you choose the right stone countertop based on your kitchen habits, existing cabinets, design preferences, and other important considerations.
Our experienced team provides complete countertop services, including material selection, custom fabrication, and professional installation of granite, quartz, and marble surfaces. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists and enjoy a smooth, stress-free countertop upgrade.