Some of the more popular types of woods used in the construction of countertops are maple, oak, cherry, teak, walnut and mahogany. Laminate surfaces like Formica and solid surfaces like Corian have been widely used to construct countertops. Stainless steel and copper are two types of metal countertops. Other materials used in countertops include concrete, ceramic tile, granite and quartz.
According to Kitchen Countertops, laminate flooring costs range from $10 to $50 per square foot installed. Remodeling expert Bob Vila says that having ceramic tile professionally installed can cost $11 to $30 per square foot. He says that having wood countertops fabricated and installed can cost $50 to $100 per square foot. Solid surfaces like Corian can cost between $40 and $80, according to Cost Helper. Stainless steel countertops can cost between $50 and $150 per square foot. Stone countertops like granite can cost between $40 and $120 to have professionally installed.
Adding custom edges and holes to a countertop will increase the overall cost of the countertop installation project, according to Kitchen Countertops. According to Cost Helper, many countertop installation companies charge an extra fee to remove and dispose of old countertops. Having patterned ceramic tiles installed instead of traditional ones can cost between $20 and $100 per square foot.
Vila says that wood countertops require regular mineral oil treatments and maintenance especially near the sink and other wet areas. Ceramic tile countertops will usually require regrouting every few years, according to This Old House. Stainless steel countertops, granite countertops and quartz countertops all require very little in terms of maintenance throughout the years because they are so durable and relatively non-porous.
Handymen can install most types of countertops, but installing certain others should be left to the professionals. Solid-surface countertops, wood countertops and laminate countertops are all made out of materials that are relatively light and easy to deal with. Countertops that are made out of heavy materials such as granite, marble and quartz should be installed only by qualified professionals because of the risk of injury associated with moving very heavy materials.