Countertops

When building a new home or remodeling, you have hundreds of options to pick from when you go to choose a kitchen countertop. First you should decide on how long you will need your countertop to last and how durable you desire it to be.

Granite kitchen countertops are very long lasting and even without a sealant they are very stain and water-resistant. You can get granite countertops in one piece or go with a modular look if the counter space you are creating is too large for one piece of stone.
Marble is a bit more porous and will be damaged by acidic juice spills if you do not cover then with some type of polymer sealant. All natural stone kitchen countertops are unique in design and color and you will have to pick your stone to fit your decor. Quartz countertops can solve this problem because their colors and patterns can be replicated in case you have to add more counter space later or damage a piece and need it replaced. Concrete kitchen countertops have this same benefit and are as durable as any natural stone countertop. Soapstone is another quality option and is more stain resistant than even marble and can be cleaned with everyday kitchen cleaners.

Wood countertops for your kitchen offer a distinctive look but are not as long lasting as stone. While it can be sealed against water and acid damage you must make sure that the surface is not used for cutting or the benefits of the sealant will be destroyed. While glass makes a great countertop surface and can withstand the heat of cooking pots and the sharp edges of knives if used as a cutting board, they are very susceptible to impact damage and one dropped pot can cause you to have to replace the entire countertop.

Corian(tm) countertops created by the Du Pont Corporation are an artificially created material which can be reproduced in hundreds of colors. It is stain and heat resistant, is easy to clean and has an added advantage in that it can be molded so that sinks and backsplashes are all of one piece of material. It can be made to fit even the most oddly shaped area of your kitchen design.

While it requires the most upkeep, tile kitchen countertops are also the least expensive of your choices. While the ceramic tile itself is heat and stain resistant, the problem lies in the grouting between the tiles. It requires frequent resealing to prevent stains and the possibility of water damage loosening it from its substrate.