Kitchen countertops have to take the whole brunt of kitchen work; therefore, it is important to pick out the most reliable and durable counter you can afford. With the diversity of countertop types and materials they are made from, choosing a good one can be pretty much of a challenge.

With the tremendous amount of workload our kitchen counters are exposed to, strength and durability should be the most important criteria of choice. At the same time, many people put the aesthetics first. Kitchen is a place where our home life is forged. Therefore, that how comfortable we feel at the kitchen defines how well off we are elsewhere in the house.

Well, what is the most solid type of counter? Logically, solid surface is the first thing that comes to mind. Indeed, in relation to countertops, the term 'solid surface' is quite a nice sound for what it means: strong, enduring and reliable.

What we know as solid surface countertops are those made of plastic materials, which have been around for decades and proven resistant to the harsh realities of kitchen life: dampness, humidity, physical impact, cuts, scratches, etc. Solid surface countertops are basically plastic, combining polyester or acrylic materials. They are resistant to water and are not subject to bacterial contamination. Since they are non-porous, stains are removed easily. Scratches can also be dealt with by way of sanding.

Solid surface countertops come in a broad palette of colors to suit any kind of interior. Some counters imitate natural materials, such as stone and wood. One of the best things about solid surface countertops is that patterns are uniform. Segments can be fused together without forming visible seams.

There are also other types of kitchen countertops which, though not categorized as solid surface, but are made of truly solid materials. Here come engineered stone (quartz) countertops. They are cut out of sheets of manufactured quartz consisting of crystals of quartz and resin binders. Quartz countertops are available in tons of colors, and they can boast of exotic appearance. Engineered quartz is highly imitative of natural stone. However, unlike granite or marble countertops, quartz counters are uniform and therefore more fitting in terms of interior compatibility.

Quartz countertops are as appealing in looks as they are reliable and long-lasting. They are non-porous and therefore stain-resistant and impervious to bacteria. They do not require complicated maintenance and are renewable. One issue with quartz counters is that they are as expensive as natural stone countertops.

Granite and marble counters seem to have been climbing the charts ever since their inception. These counters are most hunted by wealthy home owners striving to add a little bit of divine natural beauty to their homes. Because granite and marble are naturally mined from earth and appear to be the most labor consuming, they are more expensive than other types of counters.

It should be noted that it is not only the price that may put you off buying a granite or marble counter. Natural stones are porous and therefore sensitive to stains. In order to prevent staining, these countertops must be sealed on a regular basis. They are very heavy and therefore must be installed by professionals. Although there is hardly a thing to match granite in beauty, granite counters are pursued by the seam issue. Since there are no two identical pieces of granite or marble in the whole world, pieced do not match well and seams are way too conspicuous. What's most certain about granite is that it is the strongest and most solid material for countertops!