Material Comparison Charts

Countertop Materials

Countertops are one of the most visible elements of any kitchen or bathroom. Your choice affects aesthetics, durability, maintenance requirements, and budget. All prices below reflect installed costs in Georgia and Florida.

Material	Cost/SqFt	Durability	Maintenance	Best For
Quartz	$50–$100	Excellent	Very low — no sealing	Kitchens, bathrooms, high-use areas
Granite	$45–$120	Excellent	Annual sealing required	Kitchens, outdoor kitchens
Marble	$75–$200	Good (etches easily)	High — frequent sealing	Bathrooms, low-use surfaces
Butcher Block	$40–$75	Moderate	Regular oiling needed	Prep areas, island accents
Laminate	$15–$40	Good	Very low	Budget renovations, rentals
Concrete	$65–$135	Excellent	Periodic sealing	Modern/industrial aesthetics
Soapstone	$70–$150	Excellent	Oil to darken, or let patina	Farmhouse, traditional kitchens
Porcelain Slab	$55–$110	Excellent	Very low	Modern kitchens, thin-profile look

Quartz dominates the mid-range and premium market because it combines consistent appearance with near-zero maintenance. Granite remains popular for homeowners who prefer natural stone’s unique veining. For budget projects, today’s laminate options are dramatically better than even five years ago — some convincingly mimic stone at a fraction of the cost. The Natural Stone Institute provides detailed care guides for any natural stone selection.

Flooring Materials

Flooring choice in Georgia and Florida must account for the Southeast’s persistent humidity. Materials that perform well in dry climates can fail here.

Material	Cost/SqFt	Waterproof	Lifespan	Southeast Notes
Solid Hardwood	$8–$18	No	50–100 yrs	Can cup and buckle in high humidity. Avoid on slabs.
Engineered Hardwood	$7–$16	No	20–40 yrs	Better humidity tolerance. Safe for GA/FL above-grade.
Luxury Vinyl Plank	$5–$12	Yes	15–25 yrs	Best all-around for Southeast. Every room works.
Porcelain Tile	$8–$20	Yes	50+ yrs	Most durable. Popular in FL. Cool underfoot in summer.
Carpet	$3–$10	No	8–15 yrs	Traps humidity and allergens. Limit to bedrooms.
Laminate	$4–$9	No	10–20 yrs	Budget option. Avoid wet areas.
Bamboo	$5–$10	No	20–30 yrs	Eco-friendly. Strand-woven is most durable but still humidity-sensitive.
Terrazzo	$15–$50	Yes	75+ yrs	Premium. Common in mid-century FL homes. Beautiful when restored.

The National Wood Flooring Association recommends moisture testing any concrete slab before hardwood or engineered installation — critical in Florida where slab-on-grade construction is standard.

Cabinet Grades

Grade	Cost/Linear Ft	Construction	Lead Time	Notes
Stock	$75–$200	Particleboard/MDF box, limited sizes	1–2 weeks	Off-the-shelf at big box stores. Limited finishes.
Semi-Custom	$200–$500	Plywood box, more size options	4–8 weeks	Best value for most renovations. Wide finish range.
Custom	$500–$1,200+	Hardwood/plywood, any dimension	8–16 weeks	Built to exact specs. Necessary for unusual layouts.
Custom Inset	$800–$1,500+	Precision-fitted inset doors	10–18 weeks	Highest-end option. Flush doors within face frame.

Paint Finishes

Paint finish matters more than most homeowners realize, especially in Georgia and Florida’s humid climate where moisture resistance is critical.

Finish	Sheen Level	Durability	Best Rooms	Notes
Flat/Matte	0–5%	Low — marks easily	Ceilings, low-traffic rooms	Hides imperfections. Don’t use in kitchens/baths.
Eggshell	10–25%	Moderate	Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms	Most popular for walls. Slight sheen, washable.
Satin	25–35%	Good	Hallways, kids’ rooms, bathrooms	More washable. Good moisture resistance for GA/FL.
Semi-Gloss	35–70%	Very good	Kitchens, bathrooms, trim, doors	Easy to clean. Reflects light. Standard for trim.
High-Gloss	70–90%	Excellent	Accent walls, furniture, cabinets	Maximum washability. Shows every imperfection.