Countertops are a crucial aspect of any property. To make your complex stand out to potential tenants, you need to be selective in the materials you choose for your countertops. Appliances are essential, but countertops can make or break your complex; after all, they take up most of your kitchen space.
When installing your countertops, you should know how your decision will impact property value. It’s also important to consider additional costs, space, and functionality while maintaining your overall vision and design.
1. Set a Budget
Before anything, you’ll need to know how much money you’re looking to spend on installing countertops. Countertops are usually priced by square footage, so you’ll need to know how big you need them.
Make sure you consider if some units will have more counter space than others so that you order enough countertops — you don’t want to have to place another order only to find that the specific design you chose is now out of stock or that it will be delayed.
A good thing to do when it comes to budgeting is to base your budget on your property value. For example, if you’re only planning to charge $1,000 in rent, you may not want to go with a material that will run you more than $90.00 per square foot.
But, you also don’t want to under-improve either, meaning you may not want to install laminate countertops on a mid to high-range apartment project.
2. Take Your Property Type Into Consideration
In the case of an apartment complex, you’ll want to look at more durable countertop options. Make sure you look at materials that can withstand daily use without cracking, staining, or scratching.
Another thing you should know when choosing countertops for your apartment complex is that you want something that is low maintenance and easy to clean. Avoid materials that need constant sealing or polishing — this will cost you more in maintenance.
4. Consider Space and Functionality
While keeping the same theme, you want to make sure you choose countertops with functionality in mind. Many apartments use granite or quartz all around. Still, if you select a material that works well in your kitchens but not your bathrooms, you’ll want to reconsider the material or find two that match the unit’s overall aesthetic.
4. Remember Your Design
You can easily change paint, but countertops are significant expenses that aren’t meant to be constantly replaced. Before settling on a countertop style, ensure it matches your overall design. You should also consider what the average tenant will find appealing since they’ll be the ones living in your complex.
5. The Types of Countertop Materials
There are various materials to choose from regarding quality countertops for your apartment complex project. Though manufactured quartz is the most popular option for kitchen surfaces today, you can also get a luxurious result from the following materials.
Granite Countertops
If you plan to take a more natural approach, you can’t go wrong with granite. This naturally appearing stone isn’t as durable as quartz, but it can withstand scratches, stains, and chips. As we mentioned, you’ll want to avoid materials that require sealing, so opt for the darker, less permeable form of granite.
Marble Countertops
If you’re after elegance, marble is the material for your project. This material is on the more affordable side, costing less than both quartz and granite. Additionally, it is more widely available, making replacements easier to come across than other materials.
Marble also boasts a naturally cool temperature, making it popular in kitchens. The downside to marble is that it is porous, which makes it prone to easier scratching and permanent staining.
If you’re willing to put more trust in your tenants, marble is an attractive choice.
Solid Surface Countertops
This countertop material resembles natural stone but is made from artificial polymers and resins mixed with mineral dust. Solid surface countertops are easy to maintain and affordable, making them perfect for an apartment complex.
However, like marble, solid surface counters are vulnerable to high heat and don’t fare well against scratches. It’s recommended that your tenants take extra care of these countertops, so they don’t need to be replaced frequently.
Tile Countertops
Tile countertops are a versatile and easy-to-replace option. While it may be a dated option, you can still make these countertops look nice with the right design choices for the rest of your units. One of the main downsides to tile counters is the grout in between them, which collects dust and stains that could be hard to clean.
Though they’re easy to replace, they’re nowhere near as durable as granite or quartz and are prone to easy chipping. They also require extra care when cleaning so that your tenants don’t scrub off the enamel.
Butcher Block Countertops
Rustic design is becoming more popular, and a butcher block countertop can tie the aesthetic together. These countertops are usually made from a thick slab of wood — generally maple, bamboo, cherry, or red oak — are assembled using heavy-duty glue.
Butcher block countertops are more challenging to take care of since they are more prone to rotting if not cleaned properly. On top of that, butcher block counters must be oiled every six months to avoid splitting, which means more maintenance.
If you still like the idea of installing butcher block countertops in your complex, make sure you’re prepared to educate tenants on maintenance and spend a little more on oiling. Another option is to consider only adding butcher block on a small section of your kitchen counters.
Make Your Complex Stand Out with Superior Commercial Solutions
Don’t overlook things like countertops when you’re developing an apartment complex. If you want to ensure you’re getting the highest quality countertops, contact us at Superior Commercial Solutions.
We’re a team of installers, assemblers, and site managers dedicated to delivering quality and professional installation. No project is too big; we install anywhere from a 12-unit apartment complex to a 600-room hotel. Call us at 385-273-6670 or fill out our contact form for your no-obligation quote.