The foundation for a good kitchen lies in the materials you choose for your floors, countertops, backsplash and cabinets. Whether you opt for ceramic, vinyl, stainless steel or quartz, here’s how much you can expect to spend.
Tiles
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are ideal for kitchen floors, as they are water-resistant and fairly durable but more affordable than quartz, making it cheaper to cover the entire kitchen floor. Porcelain is generally a little more expensive at $3 per sqft, but offers higher absorbency and water resistance than ceramic, which retails at $2.20 per sqft. The main drawback of tile flooring is that it can be time-consuming to clean and maintain due to the grout between the tiles.
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Vinyl
A grout-free alternative to kitchen tiles is vinyl flooring. The material has similar properties, including durability and water-resistance, with the addition of a softer feeling underfoot. On the downside, vinyl needs to be entirely redone if damaged, while tiles can be replaced one by one, making repairs and renovations involving vinyl more expensive. If you’re planning to install vinyl flooring, you’re looking at a minimum of $7.30 per sqft.
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Marble
Used mostly for islands, countertops and backsplash features, marble falls on the expensive side but delivers in the aesthetic department, making for a luxurious space. If you opt for authentic marble in your kitchen, just keep in mind that it is not the sturdiest material on the market, especially for a hefty $17.20 per sqft.
Image courtesy of The Monocot Studio
Laminates
Laminates are made by gluing together a number of wooden sheets, resulting in a sturdier alternative to hardwood. They’re ideal for fitting out kitchen cabinets as they provide the beloved wood-like aesthetic with additional resistance to moisture and humidity. Laminates are usually moderate in price, ranging from $26 to $188 per sheet.
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Granite
Granite and other natural stone materials are mostly used for countertops, as well as the occasional backsplash. While it’s generally long-lasting, granite is naturally porous, making it bothersome to clean and maintain unless it comes with a highly polished finish. We recommend opting for the latter, which ranges between $90 and $160 per foot run.
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Stainless steel
While not everyone likes the sterile look of steel surfaces in the kitchen, they have much to offer in terms of functionality. After all, there’s a good reason so many restaurants deck out the entire kitchen in steel! It’s easy to maintain and, more importantly, makes for a particularly hygienic environment. If you’re looking for a great material for high-traffic countertops and cooking spaces in your kitchen, stainless steel will do the trick starting from $100 per foot run.
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KompacPlus
KompacPlus offers all of the strength and resistance of stone and steel materials with the added benefit of a wooden look. Made of kraft paper and resin, KompacPlus is engineered to withstand water, steam and heavy wear and tear, making it a great choice for countertops and even the kitchen backsplash. It ranges from $120 to $130 per foot run.
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Engineered quartz
Last but certainly not least, engineered quartz is one of our personal favourites in the kitchen. It mimics the natural beauty of marble while retaining the strength of quartz and bringing you the ease of maintenance inherent in the material’s technology. At $150 to $220 per foot run, engineered quartz makes for long-lasting countertops that are a breeze to clean and help to visually transform your kitchen.
Image courtesy of Silestone
