When it comes to remodeling our living space, there seems to be way too much brain-racking to be done over colors and designs. There are many things to consider, such as costs, aesthetics, installation issues, etc. Not infrequently, the diversity of goods available for sale makes us feel dizzy and unable to make sense of what's better. Kitchen countertops come in a wide variety. They differ in size, shape, design, material and therefore price and reliability. In order to make a final decision, home owners should compare different kitchen countertops. For some people, this is pretty much of a challenge!

When you finally get to your local home improvement store, there will be counters made of the following materials: laminate, solid surface, wooden or butcher block, stainless steel, quartz, granite, marble, engineered stone, concrete and ceramic tile. These vary in price, durability, appearance and maintenance requirements.

Laminate countertops are generally low budget. However, laminate counters have been around for more than 30 years, so their quality has gotten better and some of them do look attractive. Usually, a counter is made of a particle board with a sheet of plastic glued to it. Providing they are cared for properly, plastic counters stay in good shape for at least 20 years.

Contrary to the low budget laminate, natural stone is very costly. Marble, granite and quartz countertops are rarely seen in homes for the simple reason that few people can afford them. At the same time, price may depend on the grade of the material, so you should compare several kitchen countertops made of natural stone before purchasing them. Granite and marble countertops can be cut out of a single slab or composed of several tiles. There is no uniform color for these, since there are no two granite or marble pieces with identical patterns. Besides, both stones are porous and stain easily. Therefore, natural stone countertops require regular sealing.

Quartz countertops are just as expensive as granite or marble countertops. However, they require less maintenance and they do not stain so much. Besides, they are available in a variety of colors. Unlike granite, quartz slabs are not mined from the earth and are actually engineered. However, they look very elegant and natural.

Compared to granite and marble counters, stainless steel countertops are low maintenance. However, they are quite expensive too. They can boast high durability and ease of use, but they cannot boast high aesthetic value.

If you are fond of natural materials and your budget is tight, compare wooden kitchen countertops. They are usually medium price and may look beautiful. They are made either from hard maple or butcher block and require a lot of maintenance.

Solid surface countertops are made of resins and are less expensive. However, they look great and are easy to care for. Besides, they have no serious installation issues, and seams are less visible than in natural stone countertops. Scratches can be easily removed by sanding.

Concrete countertops are durable, medium price and heat resistant, and they can be styled in different ways. However, they are rather heavy and therefore must be installed by qualified professionals. They are likely to crack and therefore require careful handling.

Ceramic style counters are available in various shapes and styles. They are durable and heat resistant and relatively easy to maintain. However, ceramic tiles stain easily. Unless cared for properly, they may stain indelibly and are likely to crack.