Countertops

A countertop has to withstand considerable punishment over a long period of time. Fortunately countertops are one product where beauty and practicality can coexist.

Falling prices for granite and other tony materials mean that you can now get a custom-look countertop for about what you'd pay for solid surfacing like Corian. You'll also see new products as high-end options hit the mainstream.

Retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe's now offer granite and quartz, also known as engineered stone, for as little as $40 per square foot. But even these luxury materials may not be distinctive enough for some design-conscious homeowners. Concrete, which is made to order, is one way to get a custom look. Another trend, stainless steel, appeals to homeowners who want to integrate their counters with pro-style appliances.


WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Butcher block. Butcher-block countertops are made of hardwoods; maple is the most common, though red oak and teak also are used. A slab of butcher block is useful for chopping and slicing, but it can become marred with everyday use. Butcher block is relatively easy to install and repair. The wood will almost certainly become scratched, nicked, burned, or stained as it's used; fortunately, it can be sanded and resealed. Butcher block should either be treated regularly with mineral oil or beeswax, or it should be sealed with a varnish suitable for food-preparation surfaces. Wood is vulnerable to fluctuations in humidity, so butcher block is a poor choice for over a dishwasher or near a sink, where it can get wet frequently. Price range: $40 to $65 per square foot, installed.

Ceramic tile. Ceramic tile comes in an almost limitless selection of colors, patterns, and styles. A professional or an adept do-it-yourselfer can install it easily. You can use tile to customize a countertop--on a backsplash or island top. Tile set into the counter near the range can serve as a built-in trivet. Glazed tiles are highly resistant to stains, scratches, and burns. And repairs are relatively easy and inexpensive. Grout can be tinted to match or contrast with the tiles, but the joints can trap crumbs and soak up unsightly stains. Cleaning it can be difficult even if the grout is sealed. Tile can be scratched by hard, sharp objects and can chip or crack if hit hard enough. Price range $10 to $30 per square foot, installed.

Concrete. This still-exclusive countertop material can be tinted any color and include stone chips. Its exclusivity can also be a drawback, however. Since concrete countertops typically are custom-formed by local fabricators, quality can vary. Concrete also cuts and chips easily and must be sealed. While topical sealers resist stains, they were prone to damage from hot pots in our tests. The reverse held for penetrating sealers. Concrete countertops are also expensive. Price range: $80 to $120 per square foot, installed

Laminate. Laminates such as Formica and Wilsonart are lightweight and relatively easy to install, although edge treatments add to installation cost and complexity. Laminate is the most popular countertop material, probably because it comes in hundreds of colors and patterns and the price is right. Typically it consists of a colored top layer over a dark core; when laminate covers the top and edge of a countertop, part of that core shows as a dark line.

Prefabricated seamless countertop-and-backsplash--known as postformed counter--is also available. Laminate is not as durable as other materials. Solid colors and shiny finishes readily show scratches and nicks. Damaged areas can't be repaired. Water can seep through seams or between the countertop and backsplash, weakening the material underneath or causing the laminate to lift. Price range: $10 to $30 per square foot, installed.

Natural stone. The most popular stones for kitchen countertops, granite and marble, come in a spectrum of colors. They also stand up to almost any type of physical abuse, resisting scratches, nicks, and scorching from hot pans. Granite is the tougher material. Marble is slightly softer and more prone to staining and etching from the acids in foods and cleaners. The stone's cold surface also makes it ideal for keeping pastry dough cool and firm while it's being rolled or kneaded. Both granite and marble should be sealed with a protective, penetrating sealer that's applied periodically.

Because these are natural materials, the grain you see in a display may not be the same as in the stone delivered to your kitchen. But most suppliers will allow you to inspect and choose the stone slabs. Genuine stone is expensive, partly because it's heavy and difficult to install. Stone tiles are less expensive--and lighter weight--than thick slabs. Special equipment may be needed to move the slabs, which have to be arranged to match color and grain. Without sealing, stone counters can stain easily, and the stains may be difficult to remove. Limestone, slate, soapstone, and sandstone are also used as countertops, though they are softer than either granite or marble. Price range: $40 to $100 per square foot, installed.

Quartz (engineered stone.) This material is a combination of small stone chips,resins, and pigments. Quartz can look much like granite but has a more uniform appearance. It's resistant to stains, heat, and abrasion and never needs sealing. However, engineered stone doesn't withstand impact--especially a blow to the edge--as well as real granite. Price range: $45 to $90 per square foot, installed.

Solid surface. Solid-surface materials, which imitate concrete, marble and other types of stone, are sold under various brands: Avonite, DuPont Corian, Formica Surell, Nevamar Fountainhead, and Wilsonart Gibraltar. Solid-surface countertops are reasonably durable but expensive; they're best installed by a contractor who has been certified by the manufacturer. Made of polyester or acrylic resins combined with mineral fillers, they come in various thicknesses and can be joined almost invisibly into one apparently seamless expanse. These materials can be sculpted to integrate the sink and backsplash and routed to accept contrasting inlays.

Scratches and nicks don't show readily on solid surfaces and can be buffed out with an abrasive pad; some gouges can be filled. Repair of a solid-color surface tends to be less discernible than repair of a surface that mimics a granite pattern. Prolonged heat may cause a solid-surface material to discolor. Price range: $35 to $80 per square foot, installed.

Stainless steel. Another emerging trend in countertops, stainless steel appeals to those who want to integrate their counters with pro-style and other stainless appliances. Major brands include John Boos and Elkay as well as local fabricators. Heat and stain resistance are a plus. But stainless tends to dent and scratch easily while showing fingerprints. It's also expensive. Price range: $120 to $160 per square foot, installed.


HOW TO CHOOSE

See What's Available, above, to match the look you want with how you'll use the counter. Then follow these tips:

Consider your lifestyle. If you have young children, a counter that needs TLC might not be worth the trouble.

Start with the sink. Most counters work with most sinks. But if you want an undermount sink, you'll need a waterproof material like solid surfacing, quartz, granite, or concrete. If you want a seamless sink made from the same material as the counter, you're limited to solid surfacing, stainless steel, and concrete.

Think about seams. The counter you choose could depend on whether you can live with visible joints. With solid surfacing, pieces are fused to get rid of seams. Stainless seams can be welded, ground, and buffed away. But think twice about other materials if seams are an issue.

Laminates typically require seams on the front edge and between the backsplash and counter. Post forming melds the backsplash, counter, and front edge into one laminate-wrapped unit, avoiding seams. But this option offers fewer color choices.

Use edges with discretion. Custom edges like bullnoses, ogees, and bevels can give low-priced counters added flair. But edges can cost up to $50 per linear foot--a concern if your budget is tight.

Consider the finish. Granite and engineered stone are sold polished or honed. Contrary to popular belief, our tests found that honed finishes resisted stains no better than glossy ones if the stains were allowed to dry overnight. Stainless offers brushed and random-grain finishes. These are better at hiding scratches, but if fingerprints are an issue, consider faux-stainless laminate over the real stuff.

Combine more than one type. Using two or more materials can trim costs while adding functionality and variety.