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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Should I replace my kitchen countertops?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Thoughts on replacing my current granite countertops? I'm not sold with the dark gray color. I was thinking more of an off-white. This is a townhouse that I will probably rent out sometime in the future. I was thinking of going quartz if I were to replace the current countertops. Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

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PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

3 years ago

That appears to be Granite Transformations engineered stone veneer over old plastic laminate countertops. I've never been crazy about that stuff.

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Comments (11)

lucky998877
3 years ago
Looks like it is laminate? Are you wanting quartz to appeal to more people? Quartz has its pros and cons...especially with renters.
Z
Original Author
3 years ago
@lucky998877 It's supposed to be granite. The previous owner has the receipts showing it is. I guess it just looks like laminate. Several others have commented that it looked like laminate in my older posts.

I wanted quartz because I read it's harder and non-porous. Would like to hear your thoughts on this though.
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kathylawyer
3 years ago
I would do quartz, the clean lines will go nicely with your cabinets, and it will be a nice upgrade if you do rent it out later....
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Z thanked kathylawyer
kempek01
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
While I would not have chosen your countertops, they are not awful.

If you are thinking "I'll keep this townhouse as a rental when I buy my next place in 10 years", get what you want (off white could be fine, or not, depending on what you pick). This would be a design decision, because who knows (or cares at this point) what a renter is going to want in 10 years. This is for you.

If you are thinking "I plan to move in 1 year and rent this place out", then you really have to decide if the additional cost of a new countertop is really going to increase your rent. If you can't increase the rent enough to cover the cost of the countertop in a reasonable time (I would say 2 years, but some might go 5 or even 10), I would not change the countertops. I would be making that as a business decision.
Jen K (7b, 8a)
3 years ago
When the sun is streaming in it's an attractive kitchen. At night with the only light being the fluorescent above it's not as pleasing, but it's not bad.

We're renting right now, we rent when we moved to a new city while building a house, and I think the dark gray works. I'm not sure quartz is the right product for a rental; it doesn't have the same longevity and durability than granite. No matter how hard we try to be nice to the home, we live in them like you do (and sometimes with more vigor).

Of course priority has to be you living here this enjoying it; you never know if you're going to rent it out.

Because your floor is a light then you have your cabinets I think a white quartz or granite would lighten up the space, particularly at night.
kculbers
3 years ago
Yes change to a white quartz countertop. It will brighten up the kitchen. Even white with some grey veining for interest. ❣️I love my Silestone engineered quartz. I chose it for the looks ( I have soapstone color on my kitchen countertop and white in my small bathroom). No maintenance, it doesn’t stain and looks great❣️
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Indecisiveness
3 years ago
How far in the future are you looking at renting it out?
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PRO
Granite City Services
3 years ago
i am a fabricator. Yes, of course you should replace them. For rentals I'd suggest avoiding quartz as in my experience it is more easily damaged than granite. An inexpensive granite with a rounded edge profile will give you the most durable surface.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
That does not look like real granite to me but IMO real granite would be my choice not quartz and for sure for a rental. Quartz does not work behind a range or cooktop and does not hold up to hot pots so go real granite there are lots of really nice white ones.
chiflipper
3 years ago
As mentioned above, it looks pretty good in daylight. Change your lighting to 4000k and reassess. IMO Corian is the best choice for countertops in a rental unit as DIY "touch-ups" are possible, with the option to have Pro resurfacing done if needed.
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