Whats the most amazing inexpensive countertop on the planet?

[Account Closed]

Hello BP! :)

Just closed, with a group of investors and myself, on a 50+ unit apartment building.

We have to rehab the whole thing over the next 18 months and my GC and I have a small bet on the counter-tops.

I believe the best bang for the buck is butcher block counter-tops because I can get them very cheap and when the guys install them they look amazing.

My GC says he has a subcontractor that can make concrete counters that look amazing and high end.

Anyone have any options?

What have you guys used for flipping, rehabbing, etc. that is a relatively inexpensive counter-top that still adds value to a unit or home?

Thanks for the help,

- James

[Eric Barnett]

I've used Quartz before and it has been great.  Also, the ease in having mold that fits with no sealing/maintenance is nice.  

[Ray Thorsen]

 I would go with high resolution laminate with the full round or ogee edge with no backslash. Then add a tile backsplash. You should be able to do that for =or less than granite. The new laminates look good and the edges I mentioned also have laminate all the way around the outside edge so you have a less chance of spills swelling and growing on the edge.

[Johann Jells]

Originally posted by @Ray Thorsen:

 I would go with high resolution laminate with the full round or ogee edge with no backslash. Then add a tile backsplash. You should be able to do that for =or less than granite. The new laminates look good and the edges I mentioned also have laminate all the way around the outside edge so you have a less chance of spills swelling and growing on the edge.

 The water inevitably gets under and explodes the particle board substrate. I swore NEVER again to use laminate, and learned to do granite tile.

[Matt Vogt]

I just finished concrete counters in my personal condo (with the intentions of renting it out), however after doing more research and actually experiencing them, I would advise against it for a rental... tenants will not take great care of them, applying waxes frequently or cleaning up spills immediately. They will look rough in time if they are not taken care of properly. Probably the best bang would be large format granite tiles... cheap, durable, look nice, and require only resealing every year or so. Some people have issues with the grout holding bacteria and not being sanitary. If I were to do-over, I would do 18x18" black granite tiles with 1/8" grout lines.

[Jeffery Griggs]

This is a great thread with a lot of useful info!!