If you want to spruce up your kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanity, you might consider upgrading the countertops even if you don’t change the cabinets. The evolution of the countertop is quite a fascinating study, as over time new ideas and methods brought us a dramatic array of choices. I will discuss some of the options that you have available, in more or less the order in which they were introduced to the market.

• Wood. I remember wooden counters and washboards in my grandparent’s home in Canada. Wood is a very sanitary surface that when kept clean does not support bacteria. It can be maintained with a regular dose of mineral oil and protection from extreme heat. Hardwoods are most commonly used in real wood countertops including oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, teak, walnut and beech. Wood provides a natural beauty and a warmth to your kitchen.
• Stone. Granite and marble are the two most common natural stones used in countertops. The individual pieces are usually not very large and need to be seamed together to fully cover your cabinets. You need to seal the stone and the seams regularly to keep moisture out. Granite comes in a great variety of colors and patterns depending upon where it was quarried around the world. Marble is more susceptible to stains and also more porous and can be damaged by foods high in acid. Black or red slate is another option and chefs appreciate the fact that it will come to room temperature better than other natural stone.
• Ceramic Tile. This top has been popular for several years and is also fairly economical to install. It is known for its hard surface that resists scratches and can handle high heat from a pot or pan. One drawback is that the tiles are surrounded by grout joints that collect grime and need to be regularly sealed to prevent damage.
• Stainless Steel. This has been the standard for the professional chef for years, but has become popular in the home kitchen as well. The introduction of stainless appliances has contributed to the matching stainless countertop popularity. It is, as its name would suggest,  stain resistant and also heat resistant. It is generally available in a smooth finish, but brushed or textured finishes tend to hide small scratches better.
• Laminate. This is the most common material used over many years. It is economical, available in a miriad of colors and patterns including butcher-block and grained wood looks. It is stain resistant, but definitely not scratch or heat resistant. Because it is readily available in random lengths and pre-cut corner pieces, it has been very popular with do-it-yourselfers. It is usually sold by the piece or lineal foot and comes with pre-molded backsplash and bull-nose front edge. It is glued and screwed to the cabinets.
• Engineered Stone. One of the newer entries into the countertop market is made of a quartz-composite that is mixed with colored pebbles, epoxy and polmer materials. Its pattern is more uniform than natural stone, and it is available in more colors too. This makes it easier to add on later and match what you already have installed. This is a very strong material that resists both staining and heat. It costs about the same as real granite.
• Concrete. I saw my first concrete countertop a few weeks ago and it looked pretty amazing. It has textures and details different from any other solid material. It is quite porous and stains easily and needs to be regularly sealed. There are a number of formulas that are used by different fabricators. Some are poured in a factory setting, while others are actually poured in place on top of your cabinets in one large piece. It can be colored or stained to your specs.
• Solid Surfacing. This is a seamless acrylic material that can include integrated sinks and comes in a great variety of colors, styles and patterns. It can be made to look like granite or marble or other natural stones. It is very stain and heat resistant.

Lots of choices with a fairly wide range in pricing makes this decision one that will take some time and research.

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