Choosing the

Best Kitchen Countertops

Reviewing your options among kitchen countertops

Are granite countertops the best choice right now among kitchen countertops? It depends: Granite is durable and can help raise the resale value of your home, but quartz countertops are a close second. Quartz countertops (also called engineered stone) have many of the advantages of natural stone, but are easier to maintain.

Other choices include solid-surface countertops -- basically, these are made of plastic, but they're much nicer than laminate. Solid-surface countertops come in a huge range of styles and colors, from faux stone to funky and modern. Plus, solid surfaces are easier to repair than other types. Laminate, including Formica is the budget choice, and an experienced do-it-yourselfer might be able to save on installation costs.

Choosing the best kitchen countertop really depends on whether you're willing to compromise on costs and maintenance, and whether you're considering your new countertops as a long-term investment. This ConsumerSearch buyer's guide outlines the pros and cons of each major type.

Types of Kitchen Countertops

Granite

$50 to $250 per sq. ft. installed

Advantages

Great for heavy use
Resists heat
Elegant appearance
Wide array of colors
Raises value of your home

Disadvantages

Expensive
Must be regularly treated with sealer
Can chip or crack
Lingering radon controversy
Professional installation required

Granite countertops are easily the most popular type. Granite is elegant, durable and can add to the resale value of your home. However, it's expensive, and granite countertops need to be re-sealed a couple times a year to prevent stains.

Quartz

$50 to $200 per sq. ft. installed

Advantages

Low maintenance
Resists heat, stains
Mimics look of natural stone
Excellent color/pattern choices

Disadvantages

Expensive
Not as attractive as natural stone, some say
Professional installation required

Quartz countertops, also called engineered stone, are a low-maintenance alternative to granite. Made of crushed quartz mixed with resins and polymers, quartz can mimic the look of stone, but unlike natural stone, it doesn't need to be periodically treated with sealant.

Solid-Surface

$40 to $100 per sq. ft. installed

Advantages

Less expensive than other types
Huge selection of colors and patterns
Easy to maintain and repair
No visible seams
Very durable

Disadvantages

Made of plastic
Not heat-resistant
Easier to scratch than stone
Requires professional installation

Made of acrylic or polyester plastics, solid-surface countertops come in a huge range of styles and colors, from traditional to funky. Solid-surface counters are easy to maintain, and although they are more prone to scratches than stone, they are also easier to repair.

Laminate and Formica

$15 to $25 per sq. ft. installed

Advantages

Inexpensive
Easy to clean and maintain
Good selection colors and patterns
DIY installation is possible

Disadvantages

Not as elegant as other surfaces
Visible seams, edges
Difficult to repair
Prone to heat damage

Plastic laminate countertops offer the best combination of price and durability, but they aren't as attractive as stone or solid-surface counters. Seams and edges are visible, and the surface can be warped by heat, but laminate is otherwise easy to clean and maintain. Formica is the best-known brand.

Concrete

$75 to $100 per sq. ft. installed

Advantages

Extremely durable
Elegant, modern appearance
Easy to customize

Disadvantages

Professional installation required
Can crack over time
Very heavy
May be hard to find

Concrete countertops are a durable and classy alternative to stone. The downside is that they're extremely heavy, can be difficult to fabricate and install, and are sometimes prone to cracking over time.

Wood

$100 to $200 per sq. ft. installed

Advantages

Warm look
Some can serve as a cutting surface
No bacteria risk if properly maintained

Disadvantages

High maintenance
Expensive
Limited colors
Can dent, scratch

Natural wood and butcher-block countertops look very attractive; the downside is their high maintenance (they have to be kept oiled) and, sometimes, their high price.

Ceramic Tile

$5 and up per sq. ft., plus installation

Advantages

Inexpensive
DIY installation possible

Disadvantages

Grout hard to clean
Non-level surface
Can chip, crack
Grout discolors over time

Ceramic tile is perhaps the least expensive type of countertop, and a skilled do-it-yourselfer might be able to handle installation. However, tile can chip and crack, and grout can be hard to clean.