Navigating Countertop Choices

Consumer Reports

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1. Quartz: Costs about $2,240-$5,600. Quartz is a combo of mineral, color, and resin and looks like stone but it needs less upkeep and it stands up to hot pans, knives, and stains. On the down side, the edges of quartz counters can chip which would require a professional to come in for a repair.
2. Granite: Costs about $2,240-$5,600. Granite slabs are unique and they hold up heat, scratches, and cuts. Both polished and matte finishes repel stains as long as a proper sealant is applied. Granite does need minimal upkeep including resealing periodically to keep it stain resistant. The corners of granite can chip much like quartz ones so if that occurs it will need to be repaired by a professional.
3. Soapstone, limestone, and marble: Costs vary between about $2,800-$5,600. Soapstone isn't used as much as granite but it does resist heat remarkably well. Small scratches can show up in soapstone but they can be repaired by fine sanding and applying mineral oil. Limestone and marble both are classic materials with a timeless look. Limestone looks like natural stone without lots of veining and it also resists heat very well. Cons for these materials include the fact that soapstone can become stained permanently and it also does scratch easily. Limestone and marble both share those negative aspects and marble can be damaged by heat.
4. Laminate: Costs are around $560 to $2,240. This is a very inexpensive choice and it has come a long way due to new printing techniques and decorative edges. Laminate is very heat and stain resistant. A drawback includes the fact that laminate does scratch easily so cutting boards should always be used.
5. Solid surfacing: $1,960-$5,600. Lot's of color and pattern variety to choose from and this material can be used for counters, sinks, and backsplashes so it can easily create a cohesive look. Solid surfacing is stain resistant for the most part and any scratches that occur can be fixed. Similarly to laminate, solid surfacing does scratch easily so cutting boards are necessary.
6. Recycled glass: $3,360-$6,720. Both contemporary and more traditional looks can be created with recycled glass by either using large shards or finely ground pieces. Most glass countertops that were tested are resistant to heat, stains, scratches, and cuts.
7. Butcher block: $2,240-$5,600. Butcher block adds a special warmth to kitchens and is both easy to install and repair when needed. Varnish is necessary to assist with stain resistance although oils that penetrated the surface ate away the finish. Although this product does scratch easily, the scratches can be repaired by sanding. 

*Cost estimates are for both materials and installation and are based on an average kitchen with 56 square feet of counter space.