Countertops

There are lots of options on the market for kitchen countertops. Our list of top picks gives the pros and cons of each choice so that you can make an educated choice when you remodel your kitchen.

1) Granite Counters

Granite is the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about - like money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.
Pros: holds up to heat; comes in beautiful colors; looks permanent and substantial.
Cons: Expensive, requires some maintenance, including periodic sealing; can absorbs stains; can crack;

2) Soapstone - Check out this site Soapstone Slabs - Teresina Soapstone

3) Engineered Stone (Quartz) - Check out some of these sites - Vitera, Ceaserstone, Cambria, Hanstone, Technistone

Engineered stone is composed of quartz partials. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It's easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Quartz countertops are the new worry-free alternative to high-maintenance granite. They are stronger than granite, require no resealing, are highly resistant to scratches and stains, and come in a huge variety of colors. A Gift of Nature Quartz is found in great abundance in the earth—it is second only to water as the most common mineral-based form on our planet. It is naturally hard and scratch resistant. Quartz even ranks a 7.0 on Moh's Hardness Scale, which is used to measure the scratch-resistance of a material. Only diamonds, ranking 10, topaz, and sapphire are harder than quartz.

Quartz counters are really rock with an attitude—they are manufactured with nearly 100 percent quartz. In contrast, granite may contain only 50 percent quartz. The other minerals found in granite leave it soft, porous, and vulnerable to scratches and stains. Industry-wide, all quartz countertops are made with 93 percent quartz or they cannot claim the hardness, durability, or impermeability of a true quartz surface. The prescribed mixture results in a product that is non-porous, exceedingly durable, and more than twice as strong as granite.

Color and Appearance
Adding pigments to raw quartz in the production process creates colors to suit nearly any kitchen scheme. Although the true look of high-end granite still eludes the quartz-countertop industry, the number of options available and the consistency and uniformity in any given slab make up for any shortcomings.
Pros: resistant to stain and acid; easy care.
Cons: Expensive.

4) Solid Surface - Check out these sites - Hi Macs

Because solid surface counters are just what they're called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications.
Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns; seamless; stain resistant.
Cons vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface; can be moderately expensive.

5) Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that inexpensive and you've got a really good choice for countertops for the average home. Because it's installed a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful homeowners.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean; wide range of price, color, texture and design.
Cons: counter surface is uneven; tiles can easily chip or crack; grout lines become stained; custom-designed tiles are very expensive.

6) Laminates

Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They're made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.
Pros: you can buy laminates in lots of colors; easy to maintain; durable; inexpensive.
Cons: scratches and chips are almost impossible to repair; end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.