Oh, perfect! This is so helpful, and came right on time for us! Thanks :)

I'm telling you, Cararra Marble, which is beautiful, is not a good choice for a kitchen. I speak from experience. You can seal and reseal, polish etc.. it stains, chips (especially around the sink area) and eventually looks pretty flat. I think engineered stones are a great alternative.

Some corrections/clarifications about soapstone:

-The colour WILL darken with time; this is actually desirable. With age, use and the application of mineral oil the stone oxidizes and darkens, making the character and beauty more apparent.

-Unlike granite and marble, soapstone is chemically neutral, and IS EXTREMELY durable and impervious to all chemicals, and thus stain-resistant – so red wine, lemon acid, tomato sauce, olive oil, and such – just aren’t a problem. The stone is also temperature neutral, so red hot cookware placed on top isn’t a problem either. That's why it's used for lab countertops.

-The only care it needs is a wipe-down with mineral oil every once in a while. It doesn't crack, but it can scratch and the edges chip. However, unlike other surfaces, just a little sandpaper can fix it.

If you like the look of matte grey countertops, try cardoso stone. (should be on your list)

After extensive research we went with granite and are very happy we did. We tested soapstone and concrete samples and they all stained but nothing bothers our granite even if it sits overnight by mistake.

Oh -- and don't forget zinc countertops.

I think an additional factor to weigh is how easy they are to modify (like, if you have to replace your cooktop and can't find an exact size match or want a larger one) and remove if you change the kitchen (or they somehow get damaged beyond repair.) My intuition is that granite, being very hard and heavy, is probably the worst for all of the above.

Wow! I just had granite countertops put in last Friday. I live in SC and paid around $40/sq ft for my granite. I absolutely love my countertops! Now I'm trying to determine what to do about the backsplash....

The soapstone looks gorgeous. I like! I have pondered using chemistry-lab black slabs but I don't know what they are or where to get them. Also, they are black.

you are suppose to seal the granite countertops once every year?? uh oh....i haven't seal my granite countertops for years.
How do I 'seal' it? or this something you should leave to professionals?

Has anyone with laminate counter tops done away with the 3-4" back splash piece and just run tile right down to the horizontal surface? I've seen it done with granite, but laminate is the better choice for our house.
Thanks!

I've had granite for 5 years now and adore it...looks as great as when it was installed, haven't even resealed it.

@Trilby1, Chem lab tops are made of a material called Fireslate. You can get it from laboratory supply companies.

Trilby- I love the idea of chem lab black counters. Genius!

Re sealing granite. Just pick up some sealer in any hardware type store. You apply it, let it sit for an hour or two and wipe any residue off. It is easy to do and doesn't take much time at all.

We have granite around the stove and sink and wood on our long back counter (12 feet or so). The granite was leftover and so was pretty cheap (we only have a few square feet of space in those locations). The two counter types work really well for us and the kitchen.

Wow, thanks AT and @mschatelaine and @obleak1! I was thinking specifically of lab counters for my kitchen, but didn't know what they were. I was looking for a WWI/industrial/laboratory vibe, and these should be perfect!

we have white caesarstone. it looks amazing. but white does stain. and it looks bad. even when you're vigilante- some areas will jsut begin to look a bit dingy.

overall- it still looks great. but i was expecting more durability.

We chose Cesar Stone and I was assured that it was heat proof. I will have to check this out.
One that you missed I saw on Living with Ed. It is http://www.vetrazzo.com/eng

@jenkwise - we had laminate counters in our last house and did a tile backsplash right to the countertop. the 3-4 inch built in backsplash on most laminate counters is just an option. you can ask to have them installed without it.

We just redid our kitchen and went with silestone.... oddly enough Granite was much much cheaper than silestone or caesarstone at every place we looked. (Of course it does depend on color/type that you choose) but I think the estimates may be a little off, for NYC at least. (silestone around $90/sq foot was cheapest we found)

This post is well done and well timed...another reason I love Apartment Therapy so much.

My current kitchen reno vision has cream painted cabinets and a walnut countertop for my small u-shaped kitchen, including the sink area.

Two questions...one, anyone have any experience with a darker wood like walnut around a busy sink? I've seen how the blond maple countertops darken with water, but thinking walnut starts out darker, so that will be better.
Second question - how do you handle the corners? Do you use a miter joint and try to get the grains and wood planks to match up, as if it were a striped fabric? My concern is then you'd have a joint right down the corner, which in our house is a busy food prep area of hte counter...Do you do a 90-degree angle and not worry about the wood grain and planks matching up?

thanks!

Very timely as I have a kitchen reno starting and haven't made any decisions on the countertops other than no granite or marble.

Anyone have real world experience with the paper or paper/bamboo products? I'm very intrigued by them.

Another vote for granite. Have never sealed it. No stain problems. We have a kind called 'flash surfaced' (not sure if it's called that everwhere) which basically means a every so slightly rough, not shiny surface. Backsplash granite too. We are so happy with it.

Previous kitchen, we paid a fortune for Corian and regretted it. Was not easy to sand out nicks and the surface dulled no matter what product we put on it. Granite is worth the price.

jenkwise, I'm in the process of finishing the tile backsplash in our kitchen. The tile sits right on the laminate (actually, I left 1/8" for caulk). We decided on laminate, not because it's our favorite, but we didn't want to put that much money into the house. We chose a Wilsonart pattern in a variegated grey that reminds me of concrete. I think it looks pretty good.

i have corian and cook every day. we got it in bright white but a kind of matte finish. it still looks brand new after a year. There is one chip in the built in sink from a big accident. But overall im impressed with how easy it cleans and how hard it is to damage. We are moderately careful with it but there are inevitable accidents that haven't really left a lot of wear.

This is timely info for me as well. So, thanks AT! I just wish slate had been included in the line-up.

Anyone have experience with slate and know what the cost is?

We had granite counters, which were incredibly hardwearing and easy to maintain. We currently have beautiful dark grey/brown, matte marble countertops. The drawback is that it does stain and scratch very easily. This doesn't bother me too much as I quite like an aged patina, but if you like a shiny, new-looking surface, then go for granite. My favourite is actually stainless steel - there's something a bit disconcerting about the sound of crockery, or a heavy mortar and pestle impacting with hard stone - not something you want to worry about when bustling around in the kitchen. With stainless steel, you can throw plates down without fear of cracking them or chipping the counter. That's why I insisted on a stainless steel sink (my OH wanted stone for that, too).

Thank you for this review. I plan to put a laminated countertop. If I get scratches, it's easy to replace it as those countertops are not expensive over here. This is very helpful for me as I'll soon be moving into my apartment.

i've had my stainless steel countertops for over 10 years and they are extremely durable. they scratch, of course, but it makes them less shiny and beautiful. everyone comments on them and i must say again...durable. you can put the hottest pot on them and nothing happens. plus, they are cool in the summer.

just wanted to add that i've heard of some people picking marble BECAUSE it will stain - adds patina and a record of memorable meals, parties, etc.

I'm not sure about other engineered stone surfaces, but I believe Silestone is just as heat resistant as granite. I've had Blanco Maple Silestone countertops in my kitchen for over two years and I love them! They are gorgeous, super low maintenance and very durable. I have had a couple of small stains, but my installer advised me to clean them with a bit of nail polish remover on a cotton pad. Works like a dream!

While Corian is easy to scratch and burn, it's also easy to repair - a simple sandpapering and it's good as new.

Those who are considering fireslate might want to check out this website:

http://www.fire-slate.com/default.htm

Is granite still good for resale? I think of it as very dated.

Incorrect information about heat resistance of CaesarStone. From their website: CaesarStone is more heat resistant than other stone surfaces including most granite, marble and limestone; and is not affected by temperatures lower than 150°C (300°F). However, like all stone material, CaesarStone can be damaged by sudden and rapid temperature changes. Therefore, we suggest that hot pots and pans never be directly placed on the surface. We also recommend a hot pad or trivet be placed on the surface under cooking units such as electric frying pans, crock pots, or roaster ovens.

Did I miss quartz being featured on the list? We redid our kitchen a couple years ago and went with a quartz counter top. We love it. It is beautiful, durable, and does not need to be resealed.

I would highly recommend quartz, for sure!

I hate how people discount laminate. For the price of many of those other materials, you can get 4 laminate counter tops. With that said, I have lived with laminate my whole life and have never seen one burned, cracked, melted, etc.. People always give that as a reason, but it isn't a common thing. It's just something that happens once in a blue moon. Nevertheless, people roll with it and act as though it happens to everyone. I think many people want granite b/c it is a status symbol, plain and simple.

Great article! Thank you. This really seems to be one of the most honest reviews I've seen.

I have soapstone and I do like it but it does chip and scratch pretty easily. Our fabricator did not do a great job so my advice to anyone interested in soapstone is that it is better to find someone who only works with soapstone and not granite. If soapstone is polished as smooth as granite then it will scratch more easily.

@clogan: My parents have a teak countertop (like the wood on a ship) and its a darker reddish brown naturally. Around the sink it actually gets lighter and needs a little pampering with mineral oil or red oil. I can't answer your corner question because theirs is an island so they don't have any corners.

We recently replaced the countertops in the kitchen of our 100 year old home with butcherblock and have absolutely loved it. We sealed it several times over with food safe butcherblock oil and haven't had any problems. I just couldn't see putting granite or anything super modern in such an old home. We're very happy in the end.

Before/After Pictures:
http://nestonthehill.blogspot.com/2011/04/before-and-after-kitchen-edition.html

@jenkwise - like jonnifer, I installed a laminate countertop in my kitchen, with tiled walls going all the way to the counter. No backsplash, sealed at the joint with clear silicone. I had the countertop custom built by a local company - with a maple edge for durability - and to come close to matching my Ikea birch cabinets. I'm very happy with it. My contractor was very firm about not using the kind of laminate that comes with pre-finished edges and backsplash due to its poor quality. I believe the laminate I used is Wilsonart. I chose a subtly variegated gray to match the slate floor. It was definitely a budget job, but I love it. If you're interested you can see a photo of it here from the Small Cool contest:
http://community.apartmenttherapy.com/contests/smallcool/2011/entries/2287

I recently had my kitchen essentially replaced due to a flood. The original kitchen had granite countertops that I never really liked the color of, particularly. I replaced it with a color of Cambria (a quartz similar to CaesarStone) I like better and it's been great so far. Granted, I don't cook a lot, so I haven't subjected it to much abuse.

Thank-you for this. I was just out today looking at what Ikea had to offer for countertops. I think I like the oak butcher block for one counter and maybe soapstone on the other. Now to decide on a sink...

The price point on soapstone seems off. I had my heart set on soapstone and found it priced pretty much the same as some decent (but not outrageous) granite, but I didn't like the veins in the soapstone, so I went with honed Absolute Black granite and found that to be a better alternative.

We just bought two salvaged slate blackboards, with the intention of turning them into countertops. I actually found an AT post dedicated to this idea: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/good-questions/good-questions-old-blackboard-slate-counters-033129

I've found articles like this: http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/journal/2007/6/28/kitchen-countertops-slate-yes-slate.html

that suggest slate is a great surface for counters.

And at $2/square foot, the price was hard to beat. We have a small kitchen, but I'm hoping to install the countertops for less than $200. We don't plan to use the counters as blackboards (to be honest, I'm over the everything-chalkboard trend) but I think they will be a beautiful, sustainable surface in our home.

The Silestone site also notes that it is heat & scorch resistant and ranks it at the same level as granite. I surely hope so, I just ordered it for my new kitchen.

lmstanley - Caesarstone and Silestone are particular brands of quartz (Engineered Stone).

I really think price point depends on where you are located. However, that granite price seems really high. I just priced out countertops and I don't think I encountered granite that was over $100 sq/ft - and I always somehow manage to pick out the most expensive options.

Great write-up!

There are pro's and con's to them all, but I must say that a big 'CON' under Granite is my opinion is it's near ubiquity in many new and remodeled homes. It's intrinsic value is one thing, but most people seem to blindly believe it is superior based upon the judgments of everyone around them. Granite can be nice, but personally I'd rather not follow the sheeple....

I really wanted soapstone, but couldn't find any near me, so I ended up with the Raven Caeserstone, instead. I think the Caeserstone is great (but sadly won't patina).

I don't dislike granite and I'm doubtful that it will become 'dated.' That said, I think it is relatively more likely to become dated than most other surface, as none of the other surfaces have been so widely popular. Laminate still has a bit of a 60s, 70s vibe as they were a big deal back then, but I think it's post-dating it's datedness.

re Corian: we have the bright white Corian in a bathroom, not the kitchen. It looks as good now as when it was put in over 12 years ago. I was told it gets better with age, and I have not been disappointed.

We are pretty broke but sick of our ugly kitchen, so husband is building countertops ... edged with wood and topped with Armstrong Excelon Imperial floor tiles in 51880 Maraschino Red (http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details_toolbox_magnify.jsp?item_id=73959). Our floor will be the same type tiles, in yellow, green, with a few red and white scattered throughout. I never sit hot pots/pans down on a counter, never chop on anything but a cutting board, and for $90 (we bought 5 cases at Restore for that amount) and the cost of the plywood underlayment and the wood edging, we'll have new counters and pretty floors. Oh, that $90 includes a case of gorgeous blue tiles for the 2 bathrooms.

I agree with MotoBonnie. Because I see granite in every single new place out there, including many cheapie renovations, I now recoil when I see it and would never choose it for my own home. I've got Corian that came with the house, and I'm happy about it.

Great write up, Anna! Though granite seems like it's specified everywhere, it's been a long time since I specified it. I love a lot of the quartz products (and agree with the above posts that it is no more sensitive to heat than granite) and there are some beautiful recycled glass products that I'm anxious to try. Thanks!

Going off topic, does anyone know where the wooden shelves in the first picture up top, are from? They'd compliment our butcher block counters nicely!

I got several free samples of soapstone before I had it installed. I poured little puddles of bleach, ammonia (not on the same stone), red wine, lemon juice and left half a tomato sitting on one. For 24 hours. Whoever says that soapstone will stain, I'd like to know what can stain it.

Those countertops are the best decision I made in my kitchen. I still pet them.

@nato
broke is relative to what one is used to. she didn't use the words starving or foreclosure for example.

Here in the CA granite is cheaper option, in most instances, than quartz. There are lots of granite warehouse stores like hardwood floor warehouse stores.

@embryoconcepts
Richlite was initially developed for science labs.

The prices on granite and marble seem to be very high - we're preparing for a kitchen remodel and have priced them starting at $30 or so a square foot. The pros and cons are very helpful though!

I'm pretty happy with my granite. Mine doesn't need to be sealed since its black galaxy, in fact sealing would make it cloudy.

Does anyone else find it odd a Kitchen Aid mixer would be so high up on a floating shelf?

That sucker is heavy, I can't imagine trying to bring it down from there.

This is changing my mind about granite. I'm used to seeing it in cheap apartments, that ugly speckled brown-orange and it is awful!

Thanks for all these posts! I have always liked the idea of butcher block counters (wood) but may consider Corian or laminate after reading about other people's experiences with them.

@mauishopgirl - ha ha, yeah I cracked up when I saw that mixer up there! That aside, I'm adding this photo to my inspiration file.

@clogan the staining on wood countertops is a chemical reaction of the tannins in the wood with water. The higher the tannins the more likely it is to stain. I have cherry countertops in my kitchen finished with OSMO polyx hardwax oil. It isn't a polyurethane, it is wax and oil mixed with a solvent for application. It's water resistant and easy to touch up. I have to wonder what people are setting on their wood countertop that creates burns! When I take hot items out of the stove i always set them on the stovetop or a trivet/towel/hotpad.

Regarding the corner? I went with the butt joint (90 degreed) It's too hard to try and get the angles right with a miter cut (my walls aren't really square)

@nato: judge much? I'd like to introduce you to my former friend, The Economy. Maybe abcornwell bought a house years ago and doesn't currently have $4K to drop on new counters because s/he doesn't like the ones s/he has. Sheesh.

We have white Caesarstone too (Blizzard). It does stain, but most stains come out with a magic eraser and some diligent scrubbing. It's gorgeous and I love that it's mostly quartz - so we get the modern white look but you get that cold, solid quartz feel.

We've been waffling over this for what seems like forever. I think we're going to go for soapstone since it seems warmer and more timeless than granite. Plus granite now screams Millennial Mcmansion to me though DH disagrees.

Re Pyrolave (lavastone) your article mentions a waiting list, but we received our order last week, right on schedule, and it was installed today (northern Cali). It's gorgeous and we are thrilled. There is one con that I've already discovered - it's so beautiful I'm a little afraid to use it. Oh, thought of another one -- very hard to decide on a color. (We put lavastone on either side of the sink and will be putting mahogany butcher block adjacent and on a peninsula).

@abcornwell, even if you are generally careful not to cut or put hot things on your counters (and I assume you don't roll dough out on them either), VCT is NOT a good countertop choice. Not only does it off-gas VOCs, but it also expands and contracts over time, making thin seams at the joints. On a typical floor, it would be stripped and sealed, but that is usually done with machines and would be difficult on a countertop. It is also easy to crack. Just try breaking one of your tiles and see how easy it is. A few years ago, I did live in a house where the landlord was too cheap to put in even a laminate countertop and used VCT because he thought he was clever, and didn't really know anything about the material. It was disgusting. No matter how much I scrubbed it, those cracks always felt like they were full of grime. They were just impossible to clean. And the kinds of things that might drip on a counter -- like raw eggs or chicken -- make it even worse. Don't do it!

love my quartz counter top. it doesn't burn, is easy to clean and is durable. i only had a very small section to install so it wasn't a huge expense,and i am very pleased with the results.

We have had acrylic (corian) countertops for 12 years now. They still look great and I'm mystified by the comment that they are easily damaged. I have yet to have a burn mark on them (unlike previous experiences with formica and butcher block countertops). You do have to be careful to use a cutting board or you will get cut marks. I love how easy they are to keep clean, never need sealing, have no unsanitary grout seams. Having said that, if I ever purchase a new countertop again, I will only consider a product that is made from natural and/or recycled materials and can be recycled when time to remodel again. Acrylic countertops don't meet such a standard.

The July 2011 Consumer Reports has ratings of 16 surfaces based on their systematic tests of stains/cutting/heat/abrasion/impact on 16 surfaces. Different surfaces have different advantages but overall quartz/engineered stone comes out best and bamboo and marble worst. (issue also does flooring and has appliance info).

Good post & good feedback! I love the look of marble, but can't justify the cost. But looking at the new Wilsonart Laminate, I'm thinking this is cool: http://samples.wilsonart.com/p-692-white-carrara-4924.aspx Good design shouldn't be centered on what is a fad, or what is so unusual your guests will swoon, but what works for you and is affordable...

Small, modest kitchen owner weighing in here...I have $300 worth of Ikea birch butcher block counters in my kitchen and love them (so far). They have replaced the awful ceramic tile that was in the house when I moved in. The wood is much softer, quieter, and more forgiving when something is placed on it. I love the way it looks and am told I will only have to seal it once a year because my builder treated it with some fancy European oil/sealer that is supposed to be like magic.

The only thing I would say to anyone considering butcher block is to think about having at least one section of counter that you can put hot things on. My kitchen had a small slab of marble for baking and we were able to reuse that. It is great having it right by the range as a place to set down super-hot pots and baking sheets.

I have had wood countertops for about ten years now and no discolor around the sink. Just don't let it stay wet. Hot stuff gets hot mats and cutting gets done on a cutting board that can be scrubbed in the sink. I love that it is a local product. Does need to be scrubbed and mineral oiled yearly with oil for cutting boards.

Kitchenaid mixer on the tippy top???

Otherwise, beautiful counters and nice information. We have slate countertops - but would love to have concrete. Both are pretty indestructible.

We put in a quartz countertop (Cambria) when we did our kitchen 4 years ago and LOVE it. The description above says engineered stones are not heat resistant, but we've found them to be. (Silly me always thought they were heat resistant [oops!], and I've placed many a hot baking pan on the countertop with no ill effects.) We LOVE our quartz countertops and will likely be using quartz in our next kitchen (we're moving in a few months). Although I love the look of wood, too...just a little nervous about how well wood countertops clean up, especially when it comes to preparing/cooking meat.

I also agree with MotoBonnie. Because everybody blindly jumps on the granite-is-best bandwagon, I'm so sick of seeing it. Every kitchen out there looks the same! I'm wanting to go in a different direction JUST to get away from the granite.

I really think soapstone is right for me. But everytime I see concrete, I love the way it looks. I've heard warnings about concrete, but only by people at companies that sell competing countertop materials so I don't think I can trust these comments.

Any concrete countertop owners out there who can comment?

We finished our kitchen with Ceasar stone (col: snow) and regret it deeply! It looks beautiful yet it is porous especially with red wine even after a few min. Im constantly wiping down the bench and being careful about what i place on it. The colour changes as well depending on sunlight exposure and we already have had a chip in the stone. I wouldn't ever consider it again...its not as hard wearing as a kitchen bench should be or made out to be. Hope this helps!

re: soapstone and honed black granite and slate:

You don't need to find a local source for your soapstone counter, or someone who specializes in soapstone -- that is the beauty of it. We live in Ottawa, and purchased our soapstone from the Vermont Soapstone Co. (the same place Martha Stewart gets her soapstone). The beauty of soapstone is that it is soft, and can be cut without specialist equipment. My husband installed our soapstone counters with our handyman -- no need to go with a stone person. And no -- absolutely do not have the surface polished! The whole beauty is the very soft and matte finish.

Honed black granite is NOT a good substitute for soapstone. Soapstone is not as neatly hard-edged as granite (it is soft and carvable), but honing granite will not imitate the qualities of soapstone. Honed granite will stain, and in particular, will show every grease mark. It will drive you nuts, and will eventually look terrible -- unless you never use your kitchen. Designers specify it and recommend it without considering use. The beauty of soapstone is that you just rub an oiled cloth on it, and it looks beautiful again .. very easy care. BUT you have to be okay with worn countertop edges, and that sort of natural aging (scratches just get sanded away and disappear).

As for slate... We don't have slate countertops, but rather, slate floors in our bathrooms and shower. It is a great surface and makes great counters too. It is less porous than granite, although not as impervious as soapstone. It is a hard stone, like granite, but somewhat brittle (making edges a little more fragile). The key is to get a really good stone (the right stone for your application) from a source familiar with slate. We got ours from Vermont Structural Slate (what can I say? the best stuff comes from Vermont!!). They are the experts in slate.

http://www.vermontstructuralslate.com/applications/counter-tops

Slate will give you the same sort of effect you might be hoping to achieve with honed granite -- the butter-soft finish -- without the problems (i.e., the staining).

Here is a great information source on slate counters:

http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/journal/2007/6/28/kitchen-countertops-slate-yes-slate.html

Good luck!

and p.s. -- don't forget Cardoso stone --
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0421334827847.html

http://www.nwlink.com/~p2p/photogallery/Kitchens/CardosaKitchen.jpg

Oh, and concrete countertops...

We have also concrete countertops which resemble terrazzo (in our island, as a contrast to the soapstone) -- the aggregate consists of chips of coloured glass and stone. Extremely pretty. Haven't seen this particular type of concrete counter dealt with on this list, as it is different than plain concrete. It is finished with a high gloss sealer, but it scratches, and you have to be very careful and touch it up. We are very gentle with those counters... (just wondering how careful our tenants have been...).

I have Silestone in the Blanco City color which a light, sand beige with bits of tropical-colored recycled glass (sea foam green, sky blue, coral, and sunset orange). I agree that everything I've read and heard states that it is just as heat resistant as granite.

FWIW I never put hot stuff on the counter top. It's great that you can, but why would you? I have a ceramic cutting board on rubber feet on the counter next to the stove in case I need to move something from the stove.

Another thing I like about Silestone is that it looks "different". People know it's not granite and are always curious. I also like the more uniformed look as I'm not really into the random spotting and streaking of granite, granite seems to be a very expensive and semi-permanent choice. Silestone has the same properties as granite without the upkeep and at a lower cost (mine was $37/sq foot). It's also antimicrobial.

I meant to add that granite seems to be more personal taste since most granite does not come in a uniform design. It is very specific in it's style.

Hey--y'all left out limestone. I adore my limestone counters. Yes, porous like marble, but adds such warmth to our kitchen :)

I have had laminate countertops - in a pattern of gray speckles, sort of mimicking a granite pattern - for 15 years. They have been great, don't show dirt, haven't stained. But... someone put something very hot down next to the stove and popped the laminate. Can't match it at this point.

So I am trying to decide whether to replace the countertop just on the stove side with something more heat resistant. Except for this problem, I would have been happy with these long-term.

We recently had Silestone installed. I cook and bake ever day in my kitchen, so I wanted something that was durable, without having to keep up with periodic sealing. We chose a new color, Night Mist, that looks just like black granite. We priced laminate, but because several of our pieces had to be custom (high bar, island), it was only about $300 more to use Silestone. Unfortunately, the installer from Home Depot seriously botched the job (Stone Systems of Houston; SS is all over the US). We have been waiting since April for a new shipment so they could re-cut one of the pieces. We have exposed Sheetrock right behind the sink because we can't install the backsplash until the countertops are finished. Home Depot's customer service has been very helpful and prompt, but Stone Systems has been terrible. They are probably the HD installer in many regions.

Re granite--if you are looking into granite (or marble for that matter), look for a place that specializes in it. They will have a far wider selection of types (which gets you away from the "everyone has one of five types of granite issue) and will also have off cuts that are far cheaper than large slabs (in our case, because our counters where we put the stone was so small and in small pieces (two small counters on either side of the stove, one more by the sink) we paid less than one third of the price we would have even at some place like Home Depot. The guy who cut the granite was especially careful to cut it so that the highlights of the pieces would be featured when it was laid out. The granite we got, green mermaid, gives a bit of the feel of soapstone (which we had originally wanted to fit the age of the woodwork and cabinets which are 82 years old) mixed with opal and is pretty amazing to look at. Like someone else said, I still pet it.

great article and comments. I've a question for the group. I bought my place 4 years ago with original 30 year laminate. I took no special care because I was sure I wanted "good" counter top. Well, the laminate remains perfect! But I've one huge, to me, problem. The front edge of counters has about 1" strip of laminate and there is a thin brown line/space on top and bottom and a perpendicular one at the two ends and 2 corners. I think it makes it look tacky. Any ideas on how I can keep org laminate and solve edge problem? would it be possible/cost effective to put a sort of reverse C wooden lip to match wooden cabinets? I plan to tile backsplash, including some bought in overseas. Thanks.

I bought a house that already had dark granite countertops. Love them. Don't show any dirt/stains and I put hot pans directly on them all the time. They clean up easily and get sparkly if I use granite cleaner and a microfiber towel :)

@mauishopgirl lol, I HATE having anything on my countertops but that thing stays in the corner cause there's no way I getting it off any shelf on a regular basis

So reading all these comments, it's interesting how the only con anyone can list about granite is its trendiness because soooo many other houses have them.

I think It's pretty much like complaining that everyone has wood floors

We would have LOVED to do soapstone for our kitchen, but way above our budget! Quote was $3500 for materials- more than our entire gut to the studs, re-wire and brand new cabinets, floor, lighting. (we only took our refrigerator and stove from our old house). Here was our "fool the eye" solution-a grey laminate, custom making the countertops to a thinner profile, making them look more like stone slabs (even fooled a contractor friend!)We did replace the one counter by the stove this past year with butcher block, which I love-ran about $200- just seal with mineral oil, and you can put hot items on it, cut, etc. Backsplash is white subway tile, which was on ridiculous discount- I think we got 15 or 20 boxes for less than $100 at our local discount grocery/ everything store (NE Ohio- Marc's). And yes, I'm not lying about the budget- we live by the elusive KraftMaid outlet right by the Ohio/ PA border- it was worth being there by 4:30/5am to get into the lottery. I'll try to post pics when I'm not at work. Just giving all this info to let people know where there is a will (a stubborn, cheap, resourceful one), there is a way- do what you can, search for deals, and enjoy the process!
(BTW- I really think granite is going to be/ already is the mark of a dated kitchen soon, along with travertine. ugh!)

I have Silestone and am very pleased with its appearance and durability. Heat can be an issue and I just double-checked, they recommend that you not use a crock pot or tabletop grill (Foreman) directly on the surface, interpose a cutting board in between. The thought of cracking the top due to heat shock gives me the heaves - replacing the countertops, backsplashes would have to come up and part of the stove wall is tiled and would probably be damaged.

Totally of topic - I keep getting hung up by the fact that in the photo there's a pink mixer on a shelf 7 or 8 feet off the ground. Those suckers are heavy. How on earth would you get it down to use it, much less put it back again?

I wondered the exact thing about the mixer! Pretty sure I would break my back trying to get that down.
It is not mentioned here, but I am very interested in recycled glass counter tops, like Ice Stone. Does anyone have experience with those?

re concrete, look into Sonomastone's "nucrete" which has gorgeous colors but they mix in an epoxy which makes the surface less porous and impermeable to stains. we didn't end up using it for various reasons but it is a beautiful surface.

@joan mckniff
Have you considered a retro metal edging for your countertop?
http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/06/stainless-steel-edging-for-your-laminate-countertop/

Great and informative list, although I don't see our choice here.

We went with recycled glass countertops about a year ago, and they are wonderful. They were completely customizable to our preferences, because they were made for us by the contractor who works with our local Ikea. The glass is set in resin, so glass color and size, as well as resin color, are up to the customer. It is a fairly green product, and as far as wear, seems great so far. No issues with heat, although I don't test that much. I was worried about some staining issues because we went with bright white resin, but have managed to keep them white despite some spills of high-staining substances that didn't get cleaned right away. The contractor suggested that if anything ever did seem difficult to lift, silver polish would remove it.

I got granite a month ago and I love it. I replaced my ten yr old laminate that was still in good condition but always wanted an upgrade to granite. Very easy to care for and love you can put hot pots and pans on it. I don't think granite will ever really go out of style. There are other options to be sure but granite is beautiful and should be high on the list of best countertops.

Granite is so 2000's, in 20 years you're gonna look at your granite-and-stainless kitchen and be like "wow, welcome to 2007" the way you feel about a typical 80's white formica cabinet kitchen today.

I say don't worry about what will be trendy or "in" decades from now or currently. Do what makes a functional work area for you and what makes you smile. Go with your gut... Once you let go caring about whats in (& what others think) you can really develop a personal style.

Yes, there's the getting the most return out of your property, etc but seriously, no matter what you do, your kitchen isn't going to look updated or new 20 years from now.

I love my black galaxy granite countertop and it has nothing to do with whether its in or not (I have no idea whats in anyhow). Its because I love black mixed with white (I have white cabinets) and love alittle sparkle. And... I got a great deal as I've got friends in the carpentry and also stone dealership business. I love how solid it is, has made a wonderful workspace.

Quality and natural materials never really go out of style in my opinon.

Laughing cause I'm not the only one who was "what the heck" about the mixer?

I don't like anything on my countertop either but the mixer stays out so I don't have to move it around. Being only 5"1" I don't think I could even reach that shelf in the pic without standing on the counterop. Awkward....

I am looking at a different paper and resin blend: ARPA, an Italian product. The standard product comes in only 6 colors but there is a new line with texture that is more I treating. The quote I got was $5,000 for quartz but only $700 a sheet for ARPA, befor fabrication. I think 2 sheets will do it.

... agree on the KA way too high - they must not bake.

I think an interior decorator who perhaps doesn't actually cook put the mixer up there. Maybe one of the million dollar decorators did it! Ya know.... layers...

We bought an older house( 1904)that had been renovated less than a year before-of course they put in granite. It seems wasteful to redo the kitchen again, but I hate the granite. It chips easily and I don't like a surface I can't see. I feel like it is never really clean. If we stay here, eventually I would like marble or pale gray Corian.

@toastercat --

re: granite

Granite is actually porous, although less-so than marble (which is a calcarous stone). It is hard, but can be brittle, and so can chip and will scratch. Different types and colours of granite have different properties, and hence different issues, so it is difficult to generalize for all. Some granites (the more beautiful ones) have been of the same issues as marbles for example.

Honed granite is not as easy-care as highly-polished granite. Highly polished granite to a degree seals off the pores, whereas honing leaves them open. Sealing products do not work well on honed granite (they are difficult to apply evenly without leaving a noticeable trace), and honed granites will show grease marks over time. Grease marks which will be impossible to remove...

I installed granite in our of our homes -- in 1991. I'm over it. I'm tired of the look, and do not like it much. I really dislike the splotchy character of most granites, and feel that there are much better alternatives out there (e.g., like the concrete counter we have which is made with recycled glass).

This is great, a distillation of what Consumer Reports did this month. Is this info from Consumer Reports?

@toastercat- I think one con of granite is that it is so shiny. That may be a pro to some but to me it just looks really cheesy.

I agree with mschatelaine that honed is not easy to care for. My folks also have that and it just always looks streaky. In contrast the soapstone is very easy to clean and feels amazing.

but also @mschatelaine: You are right. You can DIY soapstone but they way one finishes it affects how easily it can be scratched. I know from (bad) experience. My point above was to urge other NOT to use a regular stone yard that is going to treat your soapstone like granite... they are totally different stones.

If you are doing an aging-in-place renovation, then plan for high contrast between the cabinets and the countertop; look for a honed not shiny surface; and plan for minor slips and mistakes in judging distance. I hope we see a post on kitchens for Aging in Place this month!

Laminate is especially good for the aging: bounces if setting something down too hard, does a contrast band on the edge, and offers a range of non-glare color and finish.

Can anyone suggest a way to refinish or cover existing kitchen counters? Don't have the cash for new ones but the ones in my apartment are beige and awful.

@mschatelaine & @heypielady

I have no idea which type of granite is in my kitchen, I've only had my house for 9 months, and the previous owners installed it sometime in the last 5 years. I just know that it hasn't chipped, I put hot pans right on it all the time, and being dark of course it hasn't stained from any spills. It IS dull/streaky if I use regular cleaner on it with a paper towel.... but I've been using 409 for granite along with a microfiber towel to dry and that makes it look nice.

One more option that may be good to look into: powder coated metal. We have this in our kitchen, and it's just as nice and heat/spill/damage resistant as the steel counter tops but doesn't get easily scratched or show streaks or fingerprints.

toastercat, I used pledge on my granite

@Nixie, have you considered the Rustoleum countertop refinishing products?
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=208

For those interested in lab countertops Toplab is a very good product. Heat resistant, chemical resistant. Now part of Trespa. I believe their latest is Toplab plus. and it IS available in lots of colors. The former Toplab was only available in Black if memory serves me correctly. When we last used Toplab in 2008 it was $20 a lineal foot at 24" wide that was about 10sf not including fabrication and shipping. It does have a waxy patina over time and shows scratches. But for my tastes its a fabulous alternative to the expense and maintenance of almost everything except metals.

Trespa toplab

Toplab is also unlikely to contain any radioactive material.

Hope this adds another less expensive alternative to the list.

umm.. I guess i"m the odd one out, but I would never put anything hot on my counters OR let water sit on them either. Maybe that's why I'm super comfortable with getting butcher block all around. It also makes me happy that it will come from a local mill and create jobs where I live.

I really think the material chosen has a lot to do with the level of upkeep a person is used to. No matter how high traffic your kitchen is, if you keep it clean and neat at all times can use whatever counters you want and they will be fine.

And yes, shiny granite screams suburbia from a mile away. but there are tons of people living happily ever after in suburbia, so again, to each their own.

I rent so I have no horse in this race, but I keep hearing about elevated levels of radiation from SOME marble counters and that children and pregnant women shouldn't be around them?

Any idea where those wooden wall shelves are from? They are absolutely gorgeous.

Granite and other stone materials do emit radon, which is not considered safe at any level, for anyone. I've heard the argument that granite would not be on the market if it causes lung cancer. Tell that to asbestos victims. I passed on granite for this very reason and went with stainless. Better safe than sorry!

Many natural materials emit radon. A brick house, for example, will increase the occupants' exposure to radiation. Other common sources of radiation are the old orange Fiesta dishes, which have uranium in the glaze, and thorium mantles in Coleman lanterns. The radiation in the plates is fixed, meaning you don't ingest it with your food. If you smoke, you get way more radiation from that directly to your lungs than you'd ever get from any of these other sources.

You can test the level of radioactivity using a geiger counter. My guess is that most pieces would be at such a low level that it wouldn't register, unlike the orange Fiesta ware.

Thanks for idea re retro metal edging on laminate. With more research I've read that can put new laminate over the old. Is that true? If so I'll do that as current brands have integrated edges. Thanks for idea re Wilsonart lam. They are sending 6 samples at no cost. Thanks for aging in place re laminate bounce. I've just turned 70, not ditsy klutz but have learned that arthritis and subtle loss of muscle strength can result in drooped wet plate or glass. Had no idea re the lam bounce.

I had concrete installed in my kitchen last year during a gut renovation......the appearance is the main selling point; everyone who sees it is absolutely stunned by the beauty and the natural imperfections in the cast. After living with it for a while, I'd say the biggest disadvantage is it's propensity to absorb any liquid that is not immediately mopped up. I learned that paste made of bleach water and baking soda covered up with plastic wrap and left overnight to dry usually takes out any stain, including permanent marker ink.

I love the raw, rustic appearance of the concrete. It contrasts beautifully with a glass mosaic backsplash and sleek white cabinets. I had a knotty pine plank ceiling and custom cherry wood shelves installed to add some depth and some warmth to the room. The result is absolutely stunning. Love, love, love, love my kitchen.

Based on personal experience, I couldn't recommend PaperStone at all. We liked the look but regret the hassle and mysteriousness surrounding some of our expensive PaperStone countertop failing on us. Despite its reputation for being resilient (skateboard parks etc), we haven't found it to be so. And that's a vital quality to have in a countertop!

We had a nightmare experience trying to get part of our countertops fixed after it started to stain simply from contact with water immediately after installation, turning misty. We complained to the distributor we bought the PaperStone from (and who recommended the installer). But despite visits from multiple installers and a distributor representative, the countertop is still super sensitive to water. Water!

This failing is very apparent because another piece of the same PaperStone in our kitchen (on the opposite countertop) isn't nearly so sensitive and was supposedly cut from the same larger PaperStone rectangle we purchased from the distributor. Who knows if the PaperStone we got was defective or something else went wrong in the finishing? Somehow neither the distributor nor the installers can identify the exact cause of the staining although they all admit something is wrong upon seeing it. It doesn't help when there seem to be considerable differences between PaperStone's guidelines, their East Coast distributor's guidelines, and the approaches of the distributor's recommended installers for treating/finishing the product pre- and post-installation. Everybody has different ideas and then likes to blame each other!

We are in the process of remodeling too so this is great to have as a starting point. We want to have a countertop with a passthrough window to our screened porch with a bit of a bar outside. Right now we have selected (but not purchased) a new window that has no bottom track so that we could slide things right outside. This eliminates laminite, I assume, from choices. I think granite may be too much (and I'm with others on how ubiquitous it is) but don't know what else to use other than maybe poured concrete. I was surprised at the cost. Are there other options or is there a way to decrease costs with concrete? We are using ikea cabinets in the kitchen if that matters, which I doubt.

well I guess marble is out for me. my husband is always leaving coffee rings all over the counters and its already hard enough getting the buggers out.
I'm liking the Bamboo & Paper Composite though. When it comes time to buy a house and then to remodel the kitchen that will definitely be my pick out of all the options listed here.

I too feel like the prices are way off in this post...just remodeled my kitchen last spring and wanted quartz, but found it is the new "in" countertop. Didn't want granite because I felt like it's already getting dated, but it ended up being the cheapest option (above laminate), and was comparable in price to Corian. We saw prices in Nashville of $30-$100 sq foot for granite. I ended up with River White granite with a leathered finish, feels and looks more like marble than granite. I pet my counters all the time. ha

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniperberry/5460173674/in/set-72157604950469933

My husband has a deep, visceral hatred of all things granite and marble. My opinion of them is not as strong, but it is when it comes to tile.

We are strongly considering putting in an offer on a new house within the next few weeks to get out of renting, but one of the caveats is that we will save up to remodel the kitchen within the next few years. Right now I like the look of soapstone and butcher block combined, but who knows what I'll like when the time comes. It's a 1958 split-level with a fairly open floor plan, and while I don't want to worry about completely matching the time period like I would with our 1920 Craftsman (it's over 1:30 away from where we're currently living and it's rented out - I wouldn't leave the Craftsman for a split level), I don't want to go super modern or super rustic.

I also want something timeless, because it won't be our forever home, and as people are learning with granite, that's really hard to judge in the moment.

We installed black Richlite countertops 3 years ago and love them. There has been some change in color but a simple mineral oil application once a year shines them right up. Its incredibly durable and any scratches only add to its appearance. The cost was almost identical to quotes we got for granite.

We remodeled our kitchen last fall and we went with Cambria quartz counters. I LOVE them. They are really durable, maintenance free and food safe. Also, you get a lot more appearance than you can with granite. My cabinet and counter colors compliment each other beautifully.

I remodeled my kitchen 2 years ago and went with Silestone counters in Mont Blanc (whiteish with little flecks of red, orange, and other colors). They still look great and I haven't had any issues with stains or heat. I got this color specifically to coordinate with the subway tile backsplash I designed (white, tomato red, watermelon pink, orange, and dark grey), grey floor tile, and dark espresso cabinets.

I, too, have always heard that quartz is heat resistant, which gives it an edge over granite. I'd love to have soapstone, failing that, I will have quartz. I will save however long it's necessary in order to have one or the other. My tastes haven't changed in forever. We'll do this kitchen once and never again, so I don't mind building up to a huge price tag.

RE: granite getting dated. I think it's only the 'galaxy black' or whatever it was called that's getting dated. You know, the ones that had glittery speckles, sometimes of more than one color. That's what I see folks turning away from. The other stuff still seems pretty popular. But we're of the same mind as an above poster, too shiny. Feels like a bowling alley.

@denisegk
Speaking as a countertop repair specialist, quartz is heat resistant, but less so than natural granite. Quartz countertops are made of ground up mineral held together by a synthetic resin binder. Excessive heat can damage the resin. Some granites, too, are resin impregnated, so that resin can be damaged by heat. The marketplace is flooded with low-end granite in recent years. It is wise to avoid placing really hot pots directly onto any countertop surface. I've seen thousands of countertops of every type damaged by excessive heat. Stainless steel might be the only exception. Every countertop material has its advantages and also its disadvantages. If you want perfection, go meditate or something. Do your research, ask tough questions; but in the end, pick what YOU like, not what other people say is best. You will live with your countertops every day, not other people. Feel free to ask me questions at TopRepair.com. Just don't ask me which material is best. That's a question without a specific answer.

Good Explain and Good Collection!! :)

After looking this page I found another similar thread on Squidoo http://www.squidoo.com/home-decor-countertops-cabinets-and-tile-flooring

Here a guy very nicely discussed cabinets, countertops and tile flooring :) Just love it!

I just put in Silestone Eco by Cosentino in black starlight (I think that was the name of the color). It is beautiful EXCEPT it is splotchy. I just had the guy who installed it come check it out, and he said that this color has the problem I am having. The countertop looks like there are uneven streaks, as though someone has cleaned only part of it, making some of it look a deeper black than other parts. As you walk by it, it looks uneven and can drive you nutty, because you get out the cleaner to fix it, but it doesn't fix. He doesn't know if there is a solution. So I would suggest avoiding black Eco by Cosentino.

I just had white quartz installed .Love the look, but not all the little gray metal fleck marks that have begun to show up all over. They are not removed with softsoap as suggested. Anyone else have this problem? The installer said he never heard of this before and said he will send the sales rep.

There are so many brands in the market for quartz such as the following. You can find Silestone distributed by Home Depot, and Zodiaq by Lowes. Ikea distributes Hanstone. Caesar is more popular because they focus on small business fabricators which have large network of consumers. Cambria has their own exclusive distributor. Haysonstone is the only brand that offers quartz in pre-fab or pre-cut size of countertop. Other brands offer them in slab size and forces consumers to buy in larger size, versus prefabricated quartz countertop. This brand will save you thousands of dollars.

hope you guys find this useful when choosing quartz.

We're putting in slate countertops - which were obtained from Craigslist for $150 from a guy who was going out of the pool table repair business. The colors of pool table slate vary from soft black to medium grey - but some can be brown. We're having it professionally cut to fit our layout. We were inspired by this photo of a homeowner that salvaged his own pool table and finished the surface with food grade mineral oil: http://blog.oregonlive.com/hg_impact/2009/01/medium_covcountersink15.JPG .