Epoxy countertops are a newer option on the market and offer some unique qualities not found in traditional materials like granite and quartz.
However, they are not necessarily cheaper than granite. There are many pros and cons of epoxy countertops to consider before installing them in your kitchen or bathroom.
So, Are Epoxy Countertops Cheaper Than Granite?
Epoxy countertops are less expensive, but also less durable than granite. Epoxy is a man-made material that can be applied to surfaces such as concrete or stone to create a hard, glossy finish.
Is epoxy countertop better than granite?
There are many reasons to choose epoxy over granite when it comes to kitchen countertops.
Epoxy is more scratch-resistant than granite. Because of the way they’re manufactured, epoxy counters have a harder surface and will not scratch as easily as natural materials like granite or marble do.
This can be especially important if you have children or pets in your home who may damage their kitchen surfaces on a regular basis.
Epoxy is more resistant than granite to stains, grease, and heat damage from cooking utensils. Because epoxy is made from polyester resins and pigments that are mixed together before being poured into molds, this gives the countertops their unique texture and coloration while also making them stronger than other types of materials used in kitchen countertops such as stone or wood.
When compared side by side with granite counters at high temperatures over long periods of time (such as when an oven dish has been left unattended), epoxy show less wears than natural stone does because its impenetrable exterior coating resists scratches better than standard mineral deposits found on other types of natural stones like marble or quartzite.
Table of Contents
- Is epoxy countertop better than granite?
- How much does epoxy countertop cost?
- What are the cons of epoxy countertops?
- How long does epoxy countertops last?
- Does epoxy scratch easily?
- Will epoxy countertops yellow?
- What are the pros and cons of epoxy countertops?
- Can you put hot pots on epoxy countertops?
- epoxy over granite before and after
- epoxy countertop kit
- epoxy over granite countertops
- epoxy countertops before and after
How much does epoxy countertop cost?
While epoxy countertops cost less than granite, they are more expensive than quartz and solid surface. They cost less than laminate, wood, marble, and other alternatives.
A basic white epoxy kit typically costs $8 to $10 per square foot if you’re doing a whole kitchen or bathroom. The price goes up when you add custom colors or textures like wood grain or marble-like patterns.
While epoxy is popular in commercial buildings such as restaurants because of its durability and ability to withstand heat and cold temperatures without cracking or chipping off, it’s also becoming popular among homeowners due to its low maintenance requirements.
Epoxy can be installed on top of existing surfaces like ceramic tile but if you’re looking for something new the installation process requires professional assistance from a contractor who has experience working with this material.
What are the cons of epoxy countertops?
As with any surface, there are some trade-offs to consider before making a decision. Epoxy counters are not as durable as granite, and they don’t stand up well under the withering effects of time and exposure to water.
The coating can crack or peel off if you drop something metal on it while cooking—epoxy is not scratch resistant like granite is (and no one enjoys having to clean up messes).
Additionally, epoxy doesn’t have the same heat resistance as granite does; this means its surface temperature will increase faster when exposed to high heat sources like stoves or ovens.
Finally, epoxy isn’t stained resistant in the same way that granite countertops are—while both materials can be cleaned with soap and water, stains may leave marks that can be difficult or impossible to remove without hiring a professional cleaner
How long does epoxy countertops last?
Epoxy countertops have an excellent reputation for durability and longevity. They can last for a lifetime when taken care of properly. They are scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, easy to clean and maintain, and easy to replace should you need to down the road.
If you want your kitchen or bathroom to be updated without any major changes in the future then epoxy is the way forward!
Does epoxy scratch easily?
If you’re concerned about the durability of your countertops, it’s a good idea to know exactly what can scratch them.
- Sharp objects: Objects like metal spoons, forks and knives will scratch epoxy, but only if they are sharp enough to penetrate the surface. If you don’t want any damage done to your countertops at all, make sure that all utensils are smooth and rounded on edges (even plastic ones).
- Certain materials: Some materials like wood or marble may also cause scratches on epoxy surfaces. Make sure not to place any of these materials on top of an epoxy-covered island or table when cooking or eating in order not to damage it further with potential scratches from food particles being trapped underneath them during washing-up duties later down the line too!
Will epoxy countertops yellow?
If you’re looking for a material that will stay white, quartz is your best bet. It is highly resistant to yellowing and staining, so it won’t need any special maintenance in order to maintain its color.
However, quartz countertops can be quite expensive compared to other options like granite or epoxy resin. In addition, they may not give the same aesthetic appeal as a high-end stone material like granite or marble; this is where epoxy comes in!
Epoxy is more resistant to scratching than most kinds of natural stones and has been shown by independent testing labs such as Consumer Reports®.*
- Consumer Reports®: “Epoxies are very durable with high scratch resistance.”
What are the pros and cons of epoxy countertops?
- Scratch-resistant. If you have kids or pets, you’ll appreciate that epoxy countertops are scratch-resistant.
- Stain-resistant. Epoxy is an ideal choice for busy households because it’s extremely stain-resistant and can be cleaned with a soft cloth or sponge. You won’t have to worry about your counters getting stained by messy spills and drips, like juice from a glass of orange juice or condiments from the bottle of ketchup on the table.
- Heat resistant/immersion safe up to 250°F (121°C). Epoxy resin is made for use in high-temperature environments like kitchens, so if that’s what you need out of your countertop material, this should be at the top of your list during research time!
- Waterproof/Water absorption resistant up to 3% (1cm depth). This means that while epoxy resin isn’t 100% waterproof on its own (there will still be some water absorption), it will protect against water damage caused by floods and leaks in most cases — which is pretty great!
Can you put hot pots on epoxy countertops?
Yes, you can put hot pots on epoxy countertops. You can also put hot pots on granite countertops, marble countertops, concrete countertops, and wood countertops.
epoxy countertop cost calculator
Like many other home projects, you can use a simple calculator to estimate the cost of your new countertops. Here’s how it works:
- Take a measurement of your current countertop. For example, if you have a 36″ x 36″ granite slab at the moment, that would be 1′ x 1′ or 36 square feet.
- Use this handy-dandy epoxy calculator to find out how much epoxy would be needed for this project (it uses linear footage). You’ll want to keep in mind that some slabs may be bigger than others or are thicker; therefore they’ll require more material and thus cost more money (e.g., say someone has an eight-foot long quartzite slab). When using this calculator, remember that each foot equals 12 inches and each inch equals 1/12th of a foot when measuring room dimensions!
- Once you’ve got all your calculations figured out (including labor costs), multiply them together for an accurate total estimate for all materials needed as well as installation labor charges!
epoxy over granite before and after
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Consider the color of your existing countertops. If you want to keep them, use an epoxy coating. It will look like granite and feel like granite, but it won’t be as heavy as real stone.
- If your current countertop is dark, consider using lighter colors for an epoxy coating (like gold). This will make the surface look more reflective on camera than if you had used black or dark brown colors for an epoxy coating.
epoxy countertop kit
An epoxy countertop kit is a great way to get your kitchen or bathroom looking brand new without breaking the bank. These kits come with everything you need to install your own epoxy countertop, including mixing equipment and an instruction manual on how to use them.
Before we get into the pros and cons of these kits, let’s take a look at some things that make them so attractive:
- They are cheaper than granite but still look just as good
- They’re easy to install, even if you’ve never done it before
epoxy over granite countertops
The question of whether epoxy countertops are cheaper than granite is actually quite complex. Epoxy is a composite material, like laminate and quartz; it’s made up of two or more things bonded together to create a new product with its own properties.
Granite is simply one type of stone that can be used as a countertop material, while epoxy often uses many different components to create the final product.
EPOXY OVER GRANITE: COST COMPARISON
While it may be true that some brands offer lower prices than others when you factor in installation costs, overall cost can vary widely depending on what you want your counters to look like at the end!
Some companies will let you choose how much color pigment goes into each pour so that your counters will have more depth and variation as opposed to others which use less expensive machines for pouring concrete (without any color).
epoxy countertops before and after
Most homeowners are familiar with epoxy countertops, but there is a lot of confusion about what they cost and what you get for your money. Because of this, we’ve put together an overview of the most important factors to consider when choosing epoxy countertops for your kitchen or bathroom.
- Price: Epoxy countertops can be expensive depending on where you buy them and how many square feet (ft2) you need to cover. Generally speaking, however, they do tend to be cheaper than granite or marble because they require less labor when installed properly. In addition, since epoxy does not have natural grains like some other materials do (like marble), it doesn’t require as much finishing work once it’s cured.
- Colors: Epoxy comes in a wide range of colors and patterns—including solid colors such as black or white; metallic finishes like gold or silver; wood grain patterns that mimic different types of wood; glass-like designs resembling stone tile; even images from nature like snowflakes! You may want to use one color throughout your entire space if there are no major changes between rooms (e.g., between kitchen counters). However, if there’s more variety between rooms then try using different textures/shades within each room so as not to detract too much attention away from other areas such as lighting fixtures etc.
Conclusion
As long as you are planning to stick with your countertops for several years, it’s worth the time and effort to maintain them. They look great, provide great value, and will last a lifetime.