What Are the Cheapest Types of Kitchen Countertops?

Tiles

• Ceramic tiles are a comparably cheap but attractive material with which to build kitchen countertops, especially if you use standard rather than custom ones. Tiles can be placed all over the kitchen and are excellent at absorbing heat, water resistant, and difficult to scratch. They do have their downsides, though: tiles can crack easily if you drop something heavy or hard on them; they create an uneven surface; and the grout between tiles can collect dirt and must be cleaned regularly.

Laminate

• Laminate is an inexpensive material that is among those most often used for kitchen countertops. It's available in a huge array of colors and patterns, some of which can mimic ceramic, stone, or wood. Unfortunately, laminate is vulnerable to burning and can be permanently damaged by a hot pot. It is also scratched quite easily.

Wood

• A natural and inexpensive choice for countertops is wood, which creates a warm and comforting atmosphere in the kitchen. Wood is vulnerable to heat and moisture and can burn, buckle, crack, or rot under extremely hot or moist conditions. You can sand small areas that are damaged, but it's best to protect wood surfaces with regular maintenance and vigilance.