How do I select a countertop that is budget-friendly and lasting?

Hi Sharon, hope this gives you some good ideas for inexpensive and durable countertops. Search Results

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Cheap Kitchen Countertops – Affordable Ideas on a Budget ... Labor costs of $35 to $100 per hour for installation remain constant across all types of materials. ... DIY-able: Simple unfinished, premade varieties available at a big box store, for under $300 ... If you do use wood, consider a laminate or epoxy sealed hardwoods.

Best Countertops for Rental Properties- Laminate

https://durablerentals.com/2018/05/15/best-rental-countertops-laminate/

Ideas for countertops and redoing countertops

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=countertop%20ideas

I would use laminate. Very durable and economical. Use a pattern like granite not a solid color. Doesn't show scratches as much.

Laminate is easy to clean, and easy to replace. A lighter color will not show the wear over time as fast as a darker color will.

Another point to consider in budgeting for a new countertop is the price in laminate pr sq ft usually includes a choice in edging styles.

Whereas, with solid material countertops such as Corian, granite, etc., the price pr sq ft is only for the countertop, not the edge finish, also called the profile. The various edge profile choices (examples below) are an additional cost priced pr the linear foot.

Another vote for laminate! They looks so much better than they used to and about a tenth of the cost of marble or quartz.

I would go with laminate for a rental. Get colors that are muted, especially in the kitchen, so that stains will not be seen.

I redid mine last year with a Formica type stone look from Home Depot. They cut to size and delivered, we installed to save money. I love mine and it was an a great purchase. I had marble and removed it. I wanted something I was not afraid to set a tomato sauce covered spoon on!!! I love the look and durability of it. Would highly recommend.

I tiled mine and it has held up great.

you can buy laminate countertops that have a texture to them or look like granite- sometimes you can find precut ones at a big discount as well as Home Depot and other stores

Granite tiling. It's more durable than marble and much less expensive than a whole slab.

I hate laminate but that is your cheapest bet. Do not go tile: not even granite tile. PITA! Choose a neutral color, lighter will make the countertops look bigger. But, lighter shows everything.

One drawback of laminate countertops is that any edge that is not profiled from the factory and exposed must be 'finished' by ironing on a strip of laminate over the raw edge to keep it from showing.

This over time does tend to peel off, and often needs to be re-glued. This situation would pertain in particular to islands, peninsulas, and other free-standing kitchen units that have un-profiled cut sides that are exposed, and especially those that receive 'traffic' from different directions.

Whereas, with the solid countertop material, all edges, in all directions, are not exposed, and are integrated with the surface. However, as others have already noted, the cost of solid countertop can be many times that of laminate.

Have you thought about cement counters? They're a very inexpensive solution that's incredibly durable & long lasting. We installed cement counters in our rental and have never regretted it. Here's the link to a search query on YouTube to browse:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+make+concrete+countertops+