New Countertops - How to Choose and Replace Your Kitchen Countertops

Replacing your countertops is one of the fastest ways to change the look and feel of a kitchen without a full remodel.

New countertops can make a dated kitchen feel modern, add workspace and hold up better to everyday cooking. But with so many materials and price points, it helps to know what you're choosing between before you call an installer. This guide compares the most popular countertop materials, explains what the replacement process looks like, and covers how to get the best value on new countertops.

The Best Countertop Materials Compared

The right countertop depends on how you cook, how much maintenance you want and your budget. Here's how the most common options compare.

• Quartz. An engineered stone made from crushed quartz and resin. It's nonporous, so it doesn't need sealing, resists stains and comes in a wide range of colors, including looks that mimic marble. It can be damaged by very high heat, so use trivets.
• Granite. A natural stone with unique patterns in every slab. It's durable and heat-resistant, but it needs periodic sealing to resist stains.
• Marble. Beautiful and classic, but softer than granite and quartz. It can scratch and etch from acidic foods, so it suits homeowners who don't mind a lived-in look.
• Solid surface. A man-made material that can be installed with nearly invisible seams and integrated sinks. Minor scratches can often be sanded out.
• Laminate. Usually the least expensive option, with many styles that imitate stone or wood. It's less heat- and scratch-resistant than stone.
• Butcher block. Wood countertops add warmth and are easy to repair, but they need regular oiling and care around water.
• Porcelain and sintered stone. Thin, very hard surfaces that resist heat, scratches and stains, though edge options can be more limited.

Choosing the Best Countertops for Your Kitchen

When narrowing your choices, think about:

• Durability. Busy family kitchens often favor quartz or granite.
• Maintenance. If you don't want to seal or oil your counters, quartz, solid surface and laminate are easier to live with.
• Style. Bring a cabinet door or flooring sample when you look at slabs so you can see how colors work together.
• Budget. Material, edge style, thickness and the number of cutouts all affect the final price.

How Countertop Replacement Works

1. Estimate and selection. You choose a material and color, and the installer gives you a quote based on your kitchen's measurements.
2. Templating. After your old counters are measured precisely, often with a digital template, the new pieces are cut to fit.
3. Removal. The old countertops are taken out. Plumbing for the sink and cooktop may need to be disconnected.
4. Installation. New countertops are set, leveled, seamed and sealed if needed, and the sink and fixtures are reconnected.

Stone countertops often take one to a few weeks from templating to installation, depending on fabrication schedules. Ask whether your installer handles plumbing reconnection and whether a new backsplash will be needed.

Replacing Countertops and Cabinets Together

If your cabinets are worn or don't fit your layout, it may make sense to replace cabinets and countertops at the same time. That avoids installing new counters on old cabinets you'll replace later. If cabinets are in good shape, refacing or painting them can be a lower-cost way to match new countertops. Our guide to pay monthly kitchen cabinets covers ways to spread that cost.

How to Get the Best Value on New Countertops

• Get at least three quotes from local fabricators or installers, and compare the same material, edge and thickness.
• Ask about remnants. For small kitchens, islands or bathroom vanities, leftover slab pieces are often sold at a discount.
• Keep the layout the same to avoid moving plumbing or appliances.
• Choose a standard edge, since decorative edges usually cost more.
• Check what's included: removal of old counters, sink cutouts, sealing and plumbing reconnection.

Updating the bathroom too? Our practical guide to bathroom vanities covers sizes, materials and what to check before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most durable countertop?

Quartz and granite are among the most durable choices for everyday kitchens. Porcelain and sintered stone are also very resistant to heat and scratches.

Can new countertops be installed over old ones?

Some thin overlay products can be installed over existing counters, but most new countertops require removing the old ones so the new surface sits level and secure.

How long does countertop replacement take?

Laminate can sometimes be installed quickly, while stone countertops usually take one to a few weeks from templating to installation.

Prices, availability and installation details vary by location and installer. Get written quotes before choosing a contractor.