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 |  | Stone Tiles: $285-$600 |  | Slate Slab: $1,800-$2,100 |  | Marble Slab: $1,500-$3,000+ |
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Natural stone countertops can be made from many different types of stone, including marble, slate, limestone, travertine, soapstone, sandstone, and even semiprecious stones such as onyx, agate, and rose quartz. Because no two slabs of natural stone are identical, each stone countertop is unique.
Of the natural stone materials, granite countertops are the most popular. For details, see How Much Does a Granite Countertop Cost.
Typical costs: | - Slab stone countertops--pieces of stone custom cut to the size and shape of a countertop -- cost $25-$100 and up per square foot, depending on the type of stone, thickness of the slabs, number of sink cutouts, edging style, and finish used. Natural stone countertop slabs for a typical kitchen with 30 square feet of counter space cost $750-$3,000 or more; professional installation is typically included in the per-square-foot price.
- Marble slab countertops cost $50-$100 per square foot; $1,500-$3,000 for a typical kitchen.
- Limestone and travertine slab countertops cost $50-$100 per square foot; $1,500-$3,000 for a typical kitchen.
- Slate slab countertops cost $60-$70 per square foot; $1,800-$2,100 for a typical kitchen.
- Natural stone tile countertops cost $6-$20 and per square foot, depending on the type of stone, thickness of the tiles, and finish. (Marble tiles cost $9.50-$20 per square foot. Limestone and travertine tile costs $6-$14 per square foot. Slate costs $7.50-$9 per square foot.) A typical 30 square foot kitchen countertop costs $285-$600.
Related articles: Granite Countertop, Quartz Countertop, Tile Countertop, Kitchen Countertops, Kitchen Remodeling
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What should be included: | - The fabricator should cut sink and faucet holes to specifications provided by the contractor or homeowner. Often there is a choice between types of edges.
- An industrial grade seal should be applied to the stone by the fabricator.
- Installation of a natural stone countertop should include a professional pre-installation measurement, preparation of the counters (including leveling and shimming), cleanup, and final inspection.
Additional costs: | - Because natural stone countertops can be susceptible to chips, cracks, and scratches, the countertop may require periodic refurbishment by a stone restorer. Expect to pay $100-$300 or a little more, depending on the type of stone and the size of the countertops.
- Resealing natural stone countertops can help keep them looking nice and make them less prone to stains and scratches. Sealant costs $15-$20 for one ounce, which treats 50 square feet of countertop.
Discounts: | - Stone tile can be far less expensive than stone slabs; the material costs less, and a skilled DIYer can install stone tiles rather than hiring a contractor or installer.
- It takes patience to find reclaimed stone countertops. But by using websites like Freecycle[1] and Craigslist[2] , and by scouting local kitchen counter stores, a dedicated scavenger can reclaim existing stone countertops at a fraction of the cost of new. Getting new sink and faucet cuts in reclaimed stone countertops costs extra.
- Stone yards sell remnants of stone countertops. These can be found cheap, but getting them cut to size costs extra.
Shopping for a stone countertop: | - Before beginning to price natural stone tiles or slabs, measure the countertop area. Home Depot provides a worksheet[3] to help calculate the measurements. The installer or contractor will do an official measurement later, but a good estimate can give a rough sense of the costs.
- BobVila.com[4] and ThisOldHouse.com[5] describe the best uses for marble, slate, soapstone, limestone, and other natural stone countertop options.
- Natural stone tiles can be purchased at Home Depot[6] and at local high end kitchen & bath specialty stores.
- Decide whether to use custom-fabricated slabs of stone, or if stone tiles will suffice. Slabs have few or no seams, create a perfectly smooth work surface for kitchen counters, and shine elegantly. Tiles can be 2 inches to 12 inches square and require mortaring or fixing to the counter; seams are visible and the surface may not be smooth.
- Specific types of natural stone countertops are often associated with and named for the region where the stone is quarried; for example, New England slate and Kirkstone. Local stone can be comparatively less expensive due to decreased shipping costs; stone imported from other continents, such as Italian marble or travertine, can be very costly.
- For semi-precious stone or other high-end natural stone countertops, check the websites of manufacturers like Concetto[7] or Innovative Stone, which include links to local licensed retailers.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: a user in Palm harbor, FL. | Posted: August 1st, 2017 01:08PM |
| Contractor: Available |
I am looking for a $25-$30 per SF granite slabs , for APX. 70 SF total Kitchen counter top & island , my budget is very tight . Snow White or Paige. |
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External Resources: | - www.freecycle.org
- www.craigslist.org/about/sites/
- www.homedepot.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOM/Home_Services/Countertop_Installation/Docs/cou...
- www.bobvila.com
- www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,213801,00.html
- www.homedepot.com/Flooring-Tile-Stone-Tile-Natural-Stone-Slate-Natural-Stone/h_d1/...
- www.concettous.com/about_concetto.aspx
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