Software
Houzz Logo Print
jrw_rose1

what’s the cheapest counter top?

6 years ago

We are building a home and want the cheapest type of counter top? I’d like to have it come up the back like this..

Comments (28)

  • 6 years ago

    Formica?

  • 6 years ago

    Laminate.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Other than post-formed laminate counters from a box store, Richlite recycled paper and non-petroleum-based resins.

  • 6 years ago

    That might be a hard look to recreate on a budget. Oftentimes entry level or “stock” granites are less expensive than custom laminate (Formica, Wilsonart, etc.) but in your application, that would be a lot of granite. If you have a real budget-sensitive project, you can buy stock laminate in limited colors at the big boxes, and then probably buy sheet laminate to match for the wall/splash. Mostly these are dark, faux-granite looking colors that I don’t find attractive, and they all come with an integrated 4” splash. But I’ve seen a couple of faux-marble that look okay. Wood tops from Lumber Liquidators and the like are also a budget choice, and can actually be quite lovely, but won’t work on the wall. Good luck on your new build!

  • 6 years ago

    Any brand of laminate will do the job. Make sure the "tape line" (the seam between the horizontally screwed drywall sheets) is as smooth as possible.

  • 6 years ago

    Build yourself a mold and pour concrete

  • 6 years ago

    The cheapest laminates are not going to give you crisp angles like the picture above.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Probably a diy epoxy resin countertop. There are many YouTube vids on this and lots of great visuals on a google search.







  • 6 years ago

    The cheapest laminates are not going to give you crisp angles like the picture above.


    You are referring to post form laminate counters.


    These are old school laminate counters with a self edge. Relatively easy to DIY w/ minimal tools. Sheet laminate is readily available--can order from Home Depot & Lowes as well as online.


    I know that you can special order self edge laminate counters from my local Menard's but they are an upcharge from the post-formed ones.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Formica. I love mine. Houzzers helped me choose it. It's black and vaguely marbled with cloudy white. Fab. I would never have thought to choose it without my Houzz consultation.. It blends very well with the glass top on my stove.

    The reason I needed Houzzers to help out, is that there are so many attractive Formica choices. There are a few that look like gaudy granite (busy, busy, busy), but there are some that look like fabric (denim!), some freckled, some lightly marbled, some bling-y, some bumpy, some smooth, some you can write on...

    My countertops come pre-made with integrated backsplash and front edge. The front edge is rounded. The corner seam is cut on the diagonal (IIRC that was also cut at the factory). All you have to do is cut out the hole for the sink and glue on the end pieces.

    My kitchen is about the size in your photo, and it was low budget. To be truthful, a bigger budget wouldn't have got me a kitchen any better suited to me.


    I may tile a taller backsplash at some point.


    The countertop in your photo isn't like mine, although it's formica. It has seams for the front edges, which are cut from a sheet and kind of owee if you bump into them. And then it has back splash cut from a sheet. And the countertops don't meet at a diagonal, so the seam is prominent (actually, it looks kinda awkward in that photo). That's also a whole lot more work ($$), since it's custom.

  • 6 years ago

    You can get some granite cheaper than laminate. Laminate is a work horse of counter tops. Laminate varies in price depending on style, edges, pattern, etc.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I always buy laminate counters from small custom counter shops for 20%+ less than the big boxes. Plus they have a larger variety, know what they're doing and may offer ends of lines and even counters that customers never picked up despite leaving deposits.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    If the feature you mostly desire is the extended part up the wall I'd really go for at least solid surface . I think silestone counter has field or vertical application options. You will spend no matter, and to lay all this in Formica ? I have like for Formica but this application needs the heft of a harder material . Maybe butcher block counter (IKEA type ) and granite tiles up the wall. It is a semi industrial, urban loft type look. Just don't think Formica is quite right. Search out the right thing not just the cheap thing

  • 6 years ago

    You’ve complicated things by trying to be budget, functional and have that backsplash detail. What is the FIRST priority- budget or that backsplash detail?

  • 6 years ago

    Because not shown in that photo are necessary outlets. Is this DIY?

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Iron some plastic tape onto the edge of Melamine for the cheapest countertop. White and sanitary.

  • 6 years ago

    Ikea laminate countertops are pretty cheap. They also sell adhesive wall panels.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The plant is probably in front of the electrical receptacle. Be careful about adhering p lam to a wall; not only is the joint at the center difficult to maintain, I've seen wall mounted p lam shrink and leave a mess at the edges.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    not shown in that photo are necessary outlets

    That kitchen will also be a smoke-filled horror without an exhaust fan. (Unless there's a downdraft unit that I can't make out from this angle.)

  • 6 years ago

    Where there is smoke, there’s fire. Because, there is also the issue of the wood shelf directly over the cooktop tool If we want to start pointing out the many bad DIY issues.....

  • 6 years ago

    They must not have much of a building code in Waikato, New Zealand.

    https://www.thenew.nz/homestyle-journey-within/

  • 6 years ago

    My old kitchen had a 3/4" thick, full-height laminate backsplash. The laminate was adhered to particle board substrate and that was adhered to the walls. The inspiration kitchen appears to have just a laminate sheet adhered directly to the wall? Maybe the photo has been touched up. Who knows. Anyhoo, a site-built laminate counter will give the look that's shown. Some patterns are available in 12 foot sheets, so seams can be avoided.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The counters appear to be plain plastic laminate with laminate adhered to the wall (never a good idea) and a standard metal joint where they meet. It was very popular in the 70's and seen a lot of it torn out in renovations. Back then we had to replace the wall laminate in 180 apartments.

    If you want cheap, find some used solid wood on craigslist and refinish it. I bought a butchers table for $50 from Eastern Baker's Supply that had been in a fire and I've used it in several kitchens for 50 years.

    I would try the local dump before using plastic laminate.


  • 6 years ago

    A lot of the time outlets and other pesky real-life things tend to get Photoshopped out of design pics.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I love the look of some of the poured epoxy countertops... but I wouldn't trust my pouring skills to come out that pretty, lol.

    A couple other neat pour things I've seen are pouring over pennies, or pouring over corks. Seen some interesting ones more for bars that pour over bottle caps, coasters, rush mat stuff....


  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    IKea wood counters when you get into laminates you want ones that are colored all the way through so no dark seams or edge and those are not cheap. BTW what exactly is your budget for counters I actually do not find the inspo picture attractive at all so not sure what you love about it. I actually used Abet Laminati Stratificato for a couple of clients and actually really affordable except for the shipping but 100s of colors and thicknesses and can be worked just like wood so can be DIYed if you have basic skills and a good blade. BTW you better plan on not being in the house after epoxy is poured it stinks to high heaven and not that cheap for a whole kitchen

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Another example of how good photography makes bad design look better than it is. The reverse is also true.