Get matched with top countertop and backsplash pros in Norton, VA

Butcher block countertops are easy to clean. You can use basic household cleaning materials like soap and water. You can even use vinegar or lemon juice and salt. There aren’t many special precautions like other materials. For example, soap tends to streak stainless steel while acid-based cleaners can wear down quartz.

You can cut countertops without chipping by using your saw correctly and having a new fine-toothed blade. You can also put masking tape on the front of the countertop material across the cut line and cut from front to back. However, it is very hard to cut countertops without chipping them, especially if they are made of stone or more fragile materials like laminate. The best advice is to know how to use the equipment, use the correct cutting method for the material, cut from back to front, move slowly, and practice on scrap material first.

The best way to save money on countertop installation is to choose an affordable material. For example, if you have a busy kitchen and need durability, choose a more affordable but lasting material like granite countertops. Likewise, if you don't use your countertops often, you can use a softer material that costs less than more sturdy ones. 

Another way to cut costs is to remove and dispose of the existing countertops yourself, if possible. That way, countertop installers can get straight to placing the new feature, reducing labor costs.

Quartzite is more expensive than granite, largely because of its rarity. Granite is naturally more common. A granite slab generally costs $40 to $60 per square foot (excluding super-rare types), while quartzite slabs cost anywhere from $50 to $150 per square foot. 

With both materials, it’s usually more affordable to purchase stones that are readily available in your location. You may need to import other stones, which come at a higher cost.