PROS & CONS 

 Glass

 Medium to high           ($45-$85)

 Easy to clean.  Extremely durable.  Can be scratched.  Must be heat- stain-resistant glass.

 Flexible.  Can fit any style, from contemporary to rustic.  Wide array of colors available.  Can be molded to fit needs.  Extremely durable.

 Manufactured Quartz

 Medium       ($35-$65)

 Requires little maintenance.  No sealant needed.

 Durble, resistant to wear and tear, scratches, stains.  Heat-impervious.  Looks like naturea stone.  Available in a wide array of colors and patterns.  Slab-size limitations may mean waste and seams.

 Wood

 Medium to high         ($50-$250)

 Surface can be sanded and resealed to repair scratches.  Requires careful cleaning.  Regualr application of mineral oil keeps wood in good condition.  Use a cutting board to protect.

 Warm appearance.  Will scratch; use cutting board.  Will absorb stains and ordors.  Resistant to heat damage.  Wide array of wood types and colors.

 Natural Stone Granite

 High        ($45-$75)

 Not repairable.  Use a cutting board.  Resealing needed once or twice a year.  Dark surfaces need frequent wipe-downs to avoid fingerprints.

 Very stylish.  Provides a smooth, cool surface for handling things like dough.  Will not mar or scratch easily.  Absosrvs some oils and stains.  Heat-resistant.  Sold by the slab; may be some waste.

 Limestone

 High        ($50-$65)

 Requires annual sealing.

 Pourus and soft.  Best used in bath or low-traffic kitchen areas.

 Marble

 High        ($50-$65)

 Scratches somewhat easily.  Not repairable.

 Professional look.  Cool surface for handling things like dough.  Absorbs oils and some orders.  Heat -impervious.

 Soapstone

 High        ($50-$65)

 Requires annual sealing.

 Pourus and soft.  Best used in bath or low-traffic kitchen areas.

 Metal     Stainless Steel

 High        ($65-$100)

 Easly to clean.  Durable, but scratches easily.  Scratches are not repairable.  Requires frequent wipe-downs due to fingerprints.  Brushed finish can minimize appearance of wear and tear. 

 Sleek, professional look.  Cool surface.  Does not chip or crack.  Does not absorb stains, oils or ordors.  Can dent.  Heat-impervious.

 Copper

 High        ($89-$119)

 Can be sealed to prevent tarnishing.  Clean with copper cleaner for shiny finish.  Can be cleaned with soap and water if patina is desired.

 Warm, artistic look.  Antibacterial surface.  Extremely durable. 

 Tile        (ceramic, porcelain)

 Low to medium  ($10-$90)

 Grout lines must be cleaned;grout can discolor.  Tile can chip.  Repairable.

 Very stylish.  Will not scratch.  Does not absorb oils or odors.  Heat-impervious.  Mixing and matching provides opportunities for creativity.

 Concrete

 High        ($60-$65)

 Requires sealer to protect surface.  Reseal every one or two years.  Clean with nonabrasive cleaner.

 Pourus and soft.  Can scratch, burn and stain.  Wide array of color mixtures available.  Made to order, sliminating slab size limitations.

 Solid Surface

 Low to medium     ($35-$55)

 Easy to repair surface scratches, stains and burns.  Ceeper damage can be professionally repaired.  Little maintenance required.

 Does not mar easily.  Easy to repair and restore.  Does not absorb iols or odors.  Resistant to heat damage.  Great flexibility; pliable material can be molded to almost any specifications.

 Laminate

 Low        ($20-$50)

 Can scraatch, stain, crack and chip.  Not repairable.

 Least expensive to install and eplace.  Vast color and pattern selection.  Does not absorb oils or ordors.  Not heat-impervious.

 Cast Polymer (cultured marble, other cultured stone)

 Medium      ($45-$65)

 Resists mildew; stains can be cleared with nonabrasive cleaner.

 Used mostly in baths.  Can be molded into a variety of shapes.  Resistant to breakage; more durable than natural marble and procelain.