Here are some general guidelines on the most popular countertop materials, with tidbits of comments made by our readers.
GRANITE OR NATURAL STONE: This is the stylish, high-end look that so many other surfaces try to mimic
Price range: About $40-$75 per square foot, installed
Advantages: Longevity and durability. It can last a lifetime. Granite is heat tolerant and scratch resistant. Scratches can be polished out. No two slabs of granite are alike, giving each kitchen its own personality.
Disadvantages: It's porous, so it requires annual sealing to keep bacteria out, although some companies offer a lifetime sealant. It can crack under heavy weight or strain, and it's heavy, so the base cabinets must be strong enough to support the additional weight.
Reader comment: "I have remodeled two kitchens in the past 10 years, and I did granite in both. ... It is enjoyable to look at and it adds movement and dimension to the kitchen. Granite just holds its beauty from day one because it's 'natural' and it's meant to outlast us all. My island is constantly filled with a buffet because of our large family; I think the granite actually makes the food look better!"
—Karen Bergmann
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ENGINEERED STONE: Also known as quartz, Silestone, Viatera, Zodiaq and CeasarStone. This is a composite of quartz, stone chips and polymer resins. The patterns in it tend to be smaller and more uniform than the randomness of natural stone.
Price range: About $55-$75 per square foot, installed
Advantages: The same sleek look of granite. It's harder and more durable than natural stone. It resists scratches, scorching, bacteria and stains. It is nonporous, so never needs sealing.
Disadvantages: It's expensive. It's hard; if you drop a glass on it, the glass will shatter.
Reader comment: "I think quartz is the best. It's completely nonporous and never needs to be sealed. Bacteria and other germs won't settle into the surface like nearly all granites can! Quartz is more durable, which means cracks or breaks over time are a lot less likely. Colors are getting better all the time. When you look at quartz, make sure to go to a fabricator that carries a lot of different brands. There are differences in shine, colors and pattern."
—Dusty Stout
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SOLID SURFACE: DuPont's Corian is the classic "solid surface" countertop, but now there are other brands in various price points, such as Simplicity, Staron and Hi-Macs. They are made from acrylic or polyester resins. Most have more of a matte finish than the glossy look of granite or quartz.
Price range: About $40-70 per square foot, installed
Advantages: It resists stains, scratches, sunlight and heat. Because it's solid all the way through, it doesn't peel or come apart, and scratches can be buffed out. It doesn't promote the growth of bacteria. Solid surfaces lend themselves to seamless integrated sink bowls and backsplashes, so there are no crevices to catch dirt or grime.
Disadvantages: It's comparable in price to granite. Knives and hot pans can still damage the surface.
Reader comment: "I chose a Corian clone, 'Hi-Macs,' in a sage green. It cleans easier than Formica; never has a stain, allows me to cut on it without a mark, I put all kinds of hot things direct from the oven on it without a problem. It is trouble free!"
—Susan Hansen
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LAMINATE: Often referred to as Formica, which is one of the companies that makes laminate. This surface is made of paper saturated with plastic resins and stacked under heat and pressure.
Price range: About $20-$45 per linear foot, installed
Advantages: Economical. Laminates can imitate granite, engineered stone or hardwoods. They resist dents, are easy to clean and fairly nonporous. Edges can beveled, inlayed with wood or solid surface, curved or capped.
Disadvantages: It can't be repaired if scratched, dented or burned. It's easy to chip or scratch. Knives and hot pans can damage the surface. Seams are more apparent than other surfaces. Water can seep through seams, causing the wood below to lift.
Reader comment: "... .Olivia (my wife) prefers a warm, inviting kitchen. She found granite too 'cold' for her liking, and the practicality of the durable surface has some limitations. ... The laminate tops are of course less durable than granite, but more easily cleaned and disinfected. The assortment of styles, finishes and color selections of laminate far exceeds the choices in granite or Corian. So if color harmony and warmth are important in your project, laminate gives you a whole world of choices for just the right look."
—Jerry King
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CERAMIC TILE: Tiles laid out with grout in between.
Price range: About $10-$30 per square foot, installed
Advantages: Limitless colors and patterns. Tile resists damage from heat and cuts. If one tile gets broken, you can replace it. You can also coordinate the backspash. Grout can be tinted to match or contrast.
Disadvantages: It's uneven, and the grout is a great trap for particles and stains.
Reader comment: "When I saw the white tile countertops in the model home, I thought they looked clean and sleek. But living with tile countertops is another story. The grout gets dirty easily, especially around the sink. Bleach does help to alleviate that problem, but it doesn't remove all stains from the grout. The tiles have chipped in a couple of small places from heavy objects knocking against them. In their defense, you can put anything on them: hot pans, hot casserole dishes, messy items — as long as you don't let dirt and stains get into the grout!"
—Cheryl Landheim
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CONCRETE: The industrial material has become a new trend. Concrete is about as heavy as solid granite.
Price range: About $75-125 or more per square foot, installed
Advantages: It can be tinted to any color you desire, and there is a host of texturing options.
Disadvantages: It's porous, so it must be sealed on a regular basis. It's also expensive.
Reader comment: "My younger brother, a very talented artist and sculptor, created concrete countertops in his new home. You can color them to add personality. My brother created some cast iron strips or grates that he laid in the concrete as it was setting, next to his stove for a built-in 'hot pad.' The counter tops are sealed, and he says they are virtually indestructible."
—Brian R. Batt
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STAINLESS STEEL: The stuff professional kitchens are made of.
Price range: About $80-$100 per square foot, installed
Advantages: It is durable, heat-resistant and easy to clean. It gives your kitchen a contemporary, "professional" look.
Disadvantages: It can stain, scratch and corrode, and it shows fingerprints and water spots. It's also expensive.
OTHER CHOICES: Wood or butcher block, soapstone or slate.