Your countertop is one of the most noticeable features in your kitchen; it's also one of the most used and abused surfaces in your home. This is why the choice of material used for your kitchen countertop is very important. There are many types of materials, colors and designs to consider; here are a dozen to get you started:



Granite is by far the most popular and one of the highest quality countertop materials available today. The natural stone material is strong, durable, heat tolerant, stain resistant and a very elegant addition to your kitchen. With a wide variety of colors and styles no two slabs will be exactly alike, so you can be assured your granite countertop will be one of a kind. There are a variety of techniques to use for finishing for a matt, rough, or very smooth and glossy look. The cost is high, but so is the quality. You can lower the cost by selecting granite tiles instead of a slab, but you will sacrifice looks, strength and durability offered by a complete slab. Granite is easy to maintain with sealers and cleaners specifically designed for use on granite.

Marble is also a very popular, high quality material that comes in a wide variety of color choices, and is available in slab form or various size tiles. There are also several finish techniques available for marble; smooth polished for countertops or a rougher finish for floor tiles to minimize slip and falls. Marble is also heat and stain resistant, but not as resistant as granite. Like granite, it is easy to maintain with cleaners and sealers specifically designed for use on marble surfaces.

Soapstone is a softer material, easy to work with, and its texture feels kind of like a bar of soap when you run your fingers across it. It is very strong and durable, easy to clean and maintain and less expensive than granite or marble. With soapstone, you are limited to a matt finish in either gray or black.

Limestone is available in various kinds; some are too porous to be suitable for a kitchen countertop. It will require more frequent sealing to maintain the surface to prevent staining.

Slate is generally used for floors but could serve as a natural stone countertop. It is not as desirable because it can be very porous and rough in texture.

Ceramic tile, like slate, is more suitable for floors but has been used as a countertop. The grout joints tend to stain easily and the tiles could chip or crack when heavy pans are set on or slid across them.

Stainless Steel is an interesting choice, but plain and limited in color and texture. It looks OK in restaurants, but most people prefer a little more creativity and design for their kitchen.

Concrete is popular in some areas, available in soft colors, strong and durable, but it is too porous to be stain resistant.

Corian is a plastic slab material that looks like a natural stone, but is losing favor because it just doesn't hold up to the rigorous use of a kitchen countertop. It is easy to clean, but not as durable or scratch resistant.

Engineered Stone, like silestone, is a slab material made of stone pieces held together by plastic. It is similar to corian and the stone chips give it a more natural look.

Formica is a plastic laminate that is affordable and comes in a wide variety of colors and designs. In earlier generations, it was the popular choice for builders and housewives, but has become outdated.

Glass is gaining in popularity as a slab type of countertop. Slabs are made of glass chips bound by plastic. EnviroSlab is an example. Another example is Icestone, a colorful countertop with ice chips bound in concrete.

Nothing outdates your home more than an old countertop, except the ugly green or gold appliances from the 60's; remember those? A new countertop can be an elegant, beautiful upgrade to your kitchen, adding immediate value to your home. When considering your choice of material, don't forget about style and durability as well as how much your budget allows. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling are the highest expense and the most labor intensive, no matter what choices you make, so don't be afraid to spend more in these rooms. Granite and Marble are the most desirable choices for countertops for durability, beauty and elegance and they are easy to clean and maintain.

This article was written by Charlie Thiede, owner of Rock Tops Granite, the leading granite and marble countertop fabricators in the US. Rock Tops technology sets them apart from other companies. With computer numerically controlled stone processing equipment, they get a perfectly cut and polished edge on every countertop. Artfully merging the latest technology with old world stone craftsmanship, Rock Tops are the experts at creating quality granite and marble countertops which they professionally install. Visit their website at http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom and learn more.