| How to cut costs on new counter (The Charlotte Observer)
How to cut costs on new counter
MARSHALL LOEB
The kitchen counter has come a long way from its humble utilitarian beginnings. It is now a pivotal part of modern kitchens.
But do you know how to choose between granite, laminate or some other material when matching a countertop to your kitchen activity and your tolerance for stains? Consumer Reports offers these five tips:
• See where you can save. Countertops typically cost between $600 and $6,000 for 55 square feet, the average amount in a kitchen. Cut costs by installing smaller, cheaper stone remnants instead of a single, premium-priced slab of stone. Save further by accentuating a large, lower-priced run of laminate with a small but beautiful piece of stone on the island.
• Get the big picture. Envisioning your finished project by the tiny samples most home improvement stores provide isn't easy. Lowe's (lowes.com) and specialty store DuPont (dupont.com) offer interactive style guides that let you choose color and material options and place them in virtual settings.
• Think about your sink. Waterproof materials are a must if you want an undermounted sink. Stainless steel, solid surfacing and concrete are best suited for seamless installations when the sink material matches that of the counter.
• Consider seams. Post-formed laminate counters are seam-free from the front edge to the backsplash, but you'll notice the seams where the two pieces meet. For virtually invisible seams, go for solid surface and stainless steel.
• Visit the stone yard. Unlike quartz, laminate or solid surfacing, stone can vary from slab to slab. Don't buy based on a store sample but go to the stone yard and pick a piece with the color and texture you prefer. | 
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