Countertop styles run the gamut

With so many options in today's market, countertop decisions can become confusing. What's right for one homeowner, isn't necessarily the right selection for another.

Different circumstances will rate different materials. Families with children may need something more durable and stain resistant than a gourmet chef who opts for hardworking surfaces that are food prep friendly such as a dough kneading area. If you are an avid entertainer, perhaps the look of luxury is important.

And, of course, budget considerations are a major factor. High-end surfaces that are extremely popular today are granite as the No. 1 choice, with other solid-stone surfaces such as marble, limestone and even soapstone emerging as choices in this more expensive arena. Improved sealers and routine maintenance make these products more acceptable today than in previous decades. However, most of these natural-stone countertops require more maintenance and care than their manufactured mimics. Because these products are in continuous natural-stone slabs they are more expensive than tiles, or man-made solid-surface products. For instance, granite tiles run about one-third the cost of a granite slab.

On the budget-friendly end of the spectrum, countertops in laminate and tile offer great looks at affordable pricing. At a higher cost in the midrange would be solid-surface countertops and products such as manufactured quartz.

Although ordinary ceramic tile is currently on the out-dated list, it still provides a hardy, durable kitchen countertop surface that will accept hot pans without a problem. Many people find that the grout is difficult to keep clean, but with the right grout selection and application of a good acrylic grout sealer this should not be a problem.

A trend today in tiles is the use of larger tiles, 12 inches by 12 inches, which means fewer grout lines. Granite, ceramic, porcelain and natural stone are the most common materials used in tiles.

For many do-it-yourselfers tile installation is a feasible project, whereas the installation of a solid-stone slab is not.

Solid-surface countertops are made of synthetic materials and are often designed to look like natural stone. They are nonporous, stain-resistant and heat-resistant, as well as easy to maintain (you can buff out stains and scratches). It can be molded to fit any design specification, and with the use of fillers appear seamless. Many installations feature integral sinks made to match. Some of the leading brand names are Corian, Staron, Gibraltar, Formica Corp, LG Solid Source and Avonite.

Quartz surfacing is one of my favorites. Authentic quartz crystals are combined with a resin binder to produce a highly durable, easy-to-clean, stain-resistant surface. Quartz products mimic the look of granite, marble or limestone. However, you can get patterns in lighter shades and without the busy speckled look of the many darker granite pieces.

Unlike natural stone, quartz won't stain and does not require sealing. It can be formed for uncounter sinks, and attractive curved exposed edges. Among different manufacturer's products are Cambria, LG Solid Source, Samsung Chemical USA, Silestone by Cosentino, DuPont Zodiaq and Starton Quartz.

But, don't overlook laminate which has taken on a completely new and bold look and is both budget friendly and easy to install. Today's laminates now come in looks and textures replicating natural stone, and can be installed with no obvious seams. It's hard to image that this is the modern day relative of the laminates of yesterday. Some of the leading manufacturers include Wilsonart HD High Definition surface collection, Arborite's Granite Series, Nevamar's Essentials Collection, Formica Corp. Honed Finish group and the Designer Series by Pionite.

It's best to shop around and visit various suppliers to view these different products and get recommendations and pricing for your particular installation prior to making an actual purchase. Suppliers can often provide many innovative ideas that you haven't thought of. Your individual lifestyle will help dictate the right product for you.