Countertops: From Outrageous to Ordinary

By David Lion Rattiner

Your home is your castle, and at your castle you are going to want to eat. The question is, are you comfortable with where you're cooking? One of the most important parts of a home is the kitchen, and one of the best parts of designing a kitchen is deciding which countertop makes the best sense for you.

Countertops, as weird as this may sound, are a big deal. There are hundreds of different designs and dozens of different types of material that can be used to lay them out. What is important is that your countertop offers you excellent quality, great aesthetic appeal and is easy to maintain.

Like anything, there are very expensive countertops and there are less expensive ones. The more expensive countertops are made of natural materials, like stone, but they're also the best. The less expensive countertops can be made of plastic, which can sometimes offer a nice aesthetic appeal, but don't offer the same quality. Think of the difference that you see between a real hardwood floor and a fake hardwood floor.

Assuming that you're going to go with a natural stone, which is recommended, you want to be sure that you work with a company that is expert with countertops. The best material to use is granite. It's the countertop material of choice for those who want luxury and beauty. You can find granite in just about every color. It will last forever, and it's the second hardest material in the world, next to diamonds. So, until you want to shell out money for a diamond countertop, granite is the way to go.

Stone is the next in line in terms of countertops of choice, particularly those engineered of quartz particles. Engineered stone is resistant to scratches and is less expensive than granite. It is also attractive.

If you really want to go nuts, a marble countertop may be for you. But marble countertops are extremely difficult to maintain, are extremely expensive and stain very easily. They are, however, stunningly beautiful. It is not the ideal choice, however, for those that are looking for something more practical.

Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for DIYers. They're easy to clean, inexpensive and, if you're handy, you can install them yourself since they come in small sections rather than huge slabs that need to be hauled and professionally cut. Laminates are in the same boat, but the big problem with them is that if you chip or cut a laminate countertop, it's practically impossible to repair.

People who want to be in a kitchen that has a professional feel might like a stainless steel countertop. Heat resistant, they're the same countertops found in kitchens at restaurants. However, you're going to have to match most things in your kitchen, such as your fridge and your oven, with your countertop.

Wood countertops are great to creating an earthy feel. Maple and oak offer gorgeous pizzazz to a kitchen if the home itself has a rustic theme. A wood countertop really can connect your kitchen to your home when done correctly, and can come in a variety different colors and glazes that add tremendous value to a kitchen. Wood countertops are also easy to clean, and any real damage can be quickly remedied with a sander and be resealed. Wood doesn't last forever, however, and over time you are going to see scratches and small stains.

If you really want to be different, a concrete counter might be what you are looking for. Concrete counters have a high price tag, but offer an exotic look and are heat and scratch resistant.

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