Laminate
(Think Formica®)
Pros – Cheap, easy to clean and maintain, multitudes of styles and colors, resists stains, easy to install yourself, readily available.
Cons – Hot pans burn it, knives cut through it, can’t be repaired.
Ceramic Tile
Pros – Comes in a huge selection of colors, styles, patterns and textures. It's durable, easy to clean, moisture and heat resistant, easy to install yourself, inexpensive and you can add a few expensive tiles to dress it up. Great for a complimenting backsplash with other types of countertops.
Cons – Grout can stain and look dingy even after cleaning, tiles can crack or chip.
Stone – Granite or Marble
Pros – Very durable, beautiful, easy to clean, good for pastry inserts within other types of countertops.
Cons – Expensive, must be polished and sealed regularly to avoid looking dull, Marble stains more easily than Granite.
Solid-Surface
(Think Corian®)
Pros – Durable, many colors, styles, and patterns to choose from. Sink and/or backsplash can be integrated. Easy to clean and touch up (with steel wool or sandpaper - check with manufacturer).
Cons – It's fairly expensive, and won’t withstand heat. Solid-surface requires installation by a licensed contractor.
Metal - Stainless Steel, Copper, Brass and Zinc
Pros – Stainless Steel is just that – stainless. Copper, Brass and Zinc are beautiful and unusual. Great for putting hot pans on. Great for backsplash, especially behind the cooktop.
Cons – Expensive, aside from stainless, it can be hard to find, shows nicks and scratches.
Wood - Butcher Block
(Hard Rock Maple is Best, Red or White Oak or Beech are Good too.)
Pros – Warm, homey look, can be sanded, great for chopping, easy to maintain, great for a cutting board insert within another type of countertop.
Cons – Must be oiled regularly,
hard to keep sanitary,
shouldn’t be used next to sinks or near water because of staining and wood rot.
Soapstone
Pros – Won’t stain, you can put hot pots on it.
Cons – Must be sealed regularly with mineral oil, scratches easier than granite.
Concrete
Pros – Can be colored or textured to create many looks. Tiles, shells, or other objects can be embedded for a unique look.
Cons – Expensive and must be installed by a professional.
Cast Polymer – Cultured Marble, Granite or Onyx
(For Bathrooms Only)
Pros – Fairly inexpensive, looks like stone, comes in various shapes and colors for themed decor.
Cons – Top gel coat may crack and burn, doesn’t hold shine well, especially on darker colors. Darker colors (like Onyx) also show fingerprints and may need to be cleaned daily.
Lavastone
Pros – Resists water damage and scratching, you can put hot pots on it.
Cons – Very expensive and hard to find.
