I need to do a kitchen cabinet reno and caught between using a concrete top vs a solid top.

According to what I read is that solid top is still scratchable, and also cannot withstand heat.

While personally I have used a concrete top with tiles on it. It's still good after 10 years.

But it seems people now think concrete top is 'old fashion' and the renovators seems to recommend solid top.

Any recommendation and comment ?

i dun think solid surface is a good option... if you have budget you might wan to consider quartz or granite... quartz costlier but less non-porous.

refer the link below to compare between granite and quartz
http://countertopinvestigator.com/quartz-granite/

go Quartz

My thread title says it's between concrete top vs solid top,

The costs of the two I think is comparable.

I guess quatz will be a lot more costly ?

Sure concrete top with tiles. 10 years ago your tiles are smaller type, now you may consider 2*2 tiles.
Once reno done, you will put something on top of it and won't bother much on what type of material used.

u're not encourage to chop meat or put hot items on top of solid surface, that was informed by almost all contractors that i engaged.. u decide which to go for kitchen (wet)

if your cooking style used "lesung batu" rather than used blander...
or you need to chop meat is better you choose concrete top..

I need to also mention that if I rent the place to people, the tenants are not going to follow proper advise. They are not going to stick to rules. Tendency is for them to abuse the kitchen top.

If tenants are able to follow advise, I will only need to build a normal top ( not even a solid top ).

I would say concrete top is more durable, just choose basic tiles to save budget (since you are going to rent your house). Basic tiles only costs around RM11.50 per piece for 2x2ft . Basic tiles = milky yellowish color.

Are there big difference in price of the tiles ? - the basic type vs the higher end type

If the tiles are not so expensive, why is it some renovators say concrete top is actually more expensive than solid top ?

Or they just not interested to do concrete top, that's why they make it more expesive ?

i getting my black galaxy granite for my island kitchen top, the gloss is far better then Quatz.

Did you get quotation to find out price differential between using granite and other types of tops ( such as solid top ) ?

Just curious.

Basic tiles = normal ceramic tile ?

How much a typical porcelain tile ( higher density tile ) 2x2 will cost ?

granite. i use that and only spent rm 500 for tital material costs. very satisfy with black colour one

Why you buy material one ? Not the renovator ?

How many inches the top ? And that was how long ago ?

Now ringgit depreciate a lot wor !

because i am doing diy liao. just 2 inches enough. just 1 month ago.

This post has been edited by leonhart88: Aug 13 2015, 03:23 PM


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DIY ! Salute salute.

The granite they comes in piece by piece just like ceramic tiles right ?

What's the dimension and how much per piece ?

diy using indon workers. piece by piece. i used 8 tiles.

The black and white pattern is very modern...

yes, initial was plan to used solid 3 inch wood for 3ft x 7ft = the cost was way too expensive

then look for Quatz was pla to buy then come to the Quatz gloss was not as good as granite, lastly choose Galaxy Black granite.

they have 15mm & 20mm on both Quatz & Granite.