Angie's List Tips For Updating Countertops

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Updating your kitchen countertops with the latest look might seem like a great and relatively easy remodeling project.

But, you need to be careful because some new trends might not stand up to the way you use your kitchen.

However, Angie's List has some advice for what to ask before investing in a culinary makeover.

Countertops are true workhorses that can transform the look of your kitchen.

"We still see most people in that granite and quartz world," contractor Geoff Horen said. "Concrete and wood tend to be and recycled glass, tend to be what I kinda call our HGTV products."

The first thing you need to ask yourself is not just how much you're willing to spend, but how much you should spend.

"Countertops are no different than any other type of remodeling project. It's really important to assess the value of your neighborhood. You don't want to overinvest in your house because you won't get the return. So, for example if you have a rental property that you rent out for $1000/month, installing countertops that are $80/square foot is way too much money to invest," Angie Hicks from Angie's List said.

You also need to determine how you'll be using your countertops. Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Do you do a lot of cooking? Are you worried about stains or scratches?

"Sometimes people will say things like, 'I want to be able to put hot pans right on my countertop.' Well, then those people, generally speaking, need to go toward a granite product because granite has a heat tolerance of like 900 to 1,200 degrees," Horen said.

When deciding on a material, ask what fits with the rest of your home's style and design. A modern concrete countertop may look out of place in a more traditional kitchen.

But remember, you don't always have to spend more to get a superior look.

"I can take a couple of laminate samples and literally set them on our granite samples and show people. They look exactly the same," Horen said.

Angie's List says be honest with yourself about how much maintenance you can handle.

For example, porous materials like limestone and marble need sealing once a year.

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