Other Viewpoints
The engineers at Consumers Union seem to test and rate just about everything in the world. We rely on their published ratings to buy vehicles and tools, But we don't always agree with their conclusions about kitchen and bath materials and fittings, for the simple reason that they are contrary to our experience, which is fairly extensive.

For example, the 2009 "Kitchen Planning and Buying Guide" suggests that sinks can be undermounted only under expensive countertops like solid surfacing, stone and engineered surfaces. We know of at least one sink that can be mounted under laminates. Consumer Reports seems not to be aware of it. The testers also did not consider stain-resistant epoxy and urethane grouts.

But most of the things they say strike us as being right on the mark. We agree almost completely with their take on countertop materials. Here are their top five ranked countertops based on extensive testing of various materials. We would reverse the rankings for tile and granite, placing tile above granite. We think Consumer Reports did not take into account the new stain-resistant urethane and epoxy grouts when evaluating tile countertops.

The numbers appearing in parentheses are Consumer Reports score for the material, out of 100 possible points.

Engineered Quartz (87)
Best For busy kitchens. Stain and heat resistant and low maintenance. There's no need to seal it and it's available in vibrant colors and styles that mimic natural stone. Coloring is consistent with stone sample.
But edges and corners can chip, although rounded edges help. Stone finishes can appear too uniform and, therefore, less natural.
Price $50-$100 per square foot, installed. $2,800 to $5,600 for an average-sized kitchen.

Granite (86)
Best For a natural stone look that can withstand heavy use. It resists stains when it's properly sealed, and also resists heat and scratches.
But granite needs sealing to protect it from stains. Color and grain can differ from samples.
Price $45 to $200 per square foot, installed. $2,500 to $11.200 for an average kitchen.

Tile (Ceramic or Porcelain) (76)
Best for use near stoves because it is heat resistant. Comes in many colors, patterns and prices.
But it chips and the grout between tiles stains even when sealed. Poor installation can increase these problems. Thinner grout lines and darker grout might help. (Editor's Note: Consumer Reports appears to be unaware of epoxy and urethane grouts that are not cement based and do not stain.)
Price $10 to $30 per square foot, installed. $550 to $1,700 for an average size kitchen.

Laminates (67)
Best for variety and budget-friendly price. It's excellent at resisting stains and heat damage and is simple to install.
But It's easily scratched and isn't reparable. Shows seams, though post-formed (seamless) options are available.
Price $10 to $30 per square foot, installed. $550 to $1,700 for an average-sized kitchen.

Solid Surfacing (49)
Best for seamless installations. Many colors and styles are available, such as those that mimic concrete, stone, and quartz. It's non-porous and stain resistant, and small nicks and scratches can be repaired.
But it scratches easily. Stone-look finishes can appear more uniform than natural.
Price $35 to $100 per square foot, installed. $1,950 to $5,600 for an average-sized kitchen.

Metal Tile? You're Kidding, Right?
Actually, no. Both glass and metal tiles are increasing in popularity. While glass tile is usually not strong enough for countertops, metal certainly is.

The installation process must take into account the fact that metal expands and contracts significantly when temperatures change, but a properly installed metal tile countertop is beautiful, durable, hygenic, moisture proof and very easy to clean. If it is marred or scratched, it can be refinished. You might dent a metal tile, but it would take a lot of determined work. Metal Countertops are Increasingly Popular

It seems that virtually any non-corroding metal is being made into tile. Stainless steel is the most popular. But copper, brass, zinc and even titanium are catching up fast.

Costwise, metal tile is about the same price as high-end ceramic tiles (depending, of course, on the metal. Exotic metals are more costly.) Metal tile is also not as design-flexible as ceramic and porcelain products. It fits well in contemporary kitchens, giving the kitchen a desirable high-tech look. It would not be the first choice of traditional kitchen designs.

Sources of Supply: Metal Tiles
For more good reading, check out our complete articles index.
New and Traditional Countertop Choices, Part 1
Photo: LG Surfaces LG Surfaces Countertop An engineered composite countertop can appear almost indistinguishable from natural stone, but is usually more sanitary, requires less upkeep and is more durable. This countertop by LG Surfaces. A countertop takes a lot of abuse. In the kitchen you put hot pans on it, cut on it, scrape and scratch at it, scour it, and spill hot liquids on it. In the bathroom, it's worse — with all the various chemicals spilled on counter surfaces — Budget Countertops
Do you love the look of upscale countertops such as granite and engineered stone but gasp at the hefty price tag? Take a look at the budget alternatives in Kitchen Remodeling on the Cheap: Simple, Practical Ideas for Creating Your Dream Kitchen on a Budget.

the soaps, the creams, the nail polish, the model airplane glue. Yet after years of abuse, your countertop is expected to look as good as ever — and mostly they do.

Today's countertop materials are truly miracles of modern engineering, evolving so rapidly that even if you’ve replaced a kitchen countertop in the recent past, you’ll probably be surprised by the many options in materials and styles now available.

Here are some of the common and uncommon materials available for countertops.

Natural Stone
Stone: Pros & Cons
Pros: Sinks can be undermounted and surface can handle hot pans (but some cannot, so be careful) and can resist most stains if properly sealed and maintained. Many suppliers of soapstone can also provide matching sinks.

Cons: Stone can be scratched and leaves watermarks if spills are not immediately cleaned up. Seams can be very evident especially if the surface has a clear or plain pattern. However, all but the deepest scratches can be buffed out. A soapstone can be renewed with a light sanding or even scouring with a ScotchBrite pad to remove surface stains. Stone can contain natural fissures that look like cracks. These are harmless but many homeowners do not like the look. There are very few materials more durable than stone. Cool and long-lasting, stone offers a timeless, elegant beauty that few other materials can match.

Some stones are hard and resistant to scratches and heat, Others are more delicate and require a lot of care and maintenance. And even the most durable stone has drawbacks as a countertop material. It has no "give" at all, so that a plate, cup or glass dropped on it is likely to shatter rather than bounce. The stone itself can crack, break, chip and scratch. Some stones stain easily - marble, travertine and soapstone are notorious culprits — although many believe that the visible signs of use that accumulate over time add to the patina and charm of these upscale materials. Polished Granite Countertop Polished Granite Countertop with undermount stainless sink. Some stones, like slate, are particularly susceptible to edge chipping and require special care in both installation and daily use.

Almost any stone can be made into a countertop: limestone, slate, marble, granite, travertine, even sandstone. But the most desirable stones are those that can take a good polish to create a smooth working countertop surface. Even soft, crumbly lavastone can be made into a countertop — although the process is very involved and very expensive. We are not even going to try to review all of the possible stone countertops, just the more common offerings in regular commercial use.

Granite Granite is still the stone of choice these days. It is heavy, hard and durable, very difficult to crack or chip and will easily outlast your house. Many varieties are very had to stain, but regular sealing is usually recommended. We have heard reports of granite tops that do not need sealing, but we have never actually seen one, and, frankly, don't believe it. Granite, no matter how dense, is porous and any porous material can stain.

Granite comes in a seemingly infinite range of colors and patterns, with more arriving everyday. On the downside, it is just about the most expensive countertop material around, rivaled only by concrete and some engineered stone materials.

Soapstone Soapstone, eclipsed for years by granite, is making a strong comeback as granite countertops become more and more common. The look of soapstone is timeless and historically accurate for almost any period of American architecture. It is warmer, denser and heavier than granite but not nearly as hard. The primary ingredient in soapstone is talc, about the softest mineral around. It can be scratched with a fingernail but rarely are scratches more than superficial and can be removed with an application of mineral oil. Even more sever scratches disappear with fine sandpaper or even a scouring pad.

Photo: Shadley's Soapstone Classic Soapstone Countertop Oiled soapstone showing the light gray veins typical of the material. This eye-catching installation by Shadley's Soapstone, serving California, Oregon and Washington. Unlike granite and most of the other natural stone countertops soapstone is almost impervious to water penetration, unaffected by acids or other kitchen chemicals, and absolutely heat resistant. These are some of the reasons it is the preferred material for countertops in chemical laboratories. Even the hottest pans can be set on it without harm. Since it is almost impervious to liquids, it does not stain or require sealing.

Classic soapstone from New England is light gray to almost black, often with a greenish tinge, but the material can range from light brown to terracotta depending on its source and treatment. Very little soapstone is now quarried in the U.S. Most comes from Brazil.

A soapstone surface darkens naturally with age or when exposed to water or oils. To darken it evenly, soapstone can be treated with food-grade mineral oil. The darker it gets, the more light grey or gray-green veins stand out adding to soapstone's appeal. New "dry wax" coatings have been developed that replace mineral oil and last longer, but are, of course, considerably more expensive. Many soapstone fans, however, simply let it age naturally over the years, adding a patina of wear and use. But renewing soapstone is easy - simply sand away the old surface for a brand new look. Repeated restorations are possible over many years without affecting the integrity of the material.

Marble and Travertine With the availability of tougher stones, we don't see much marble or travertine in kitchens these days. But they are still used in period bathrooms. They are historically accurate for just about any architectural style, and virtually required for some. A Victorian bath, for example, almost demands a marble or travertine vanity top for authenticity.

Classic Soapstone Countertop Marble is too delicate for use in most kitchens, and should not be used in showers because it collects soap scum and shows hard water marks, but as a bar or vanity countertop it is a beautiful addition to any room. Travertine is very like marble, just more porous and softer. Both materials have been popular since the early Greek and Roman years because they are beautiful and fairly soft, making them easy to cut and polish with relatively simple hand tools (and a whole lot of hard labor).

But they are not a good choice for the brutal environment of a busy kitchen. These are delicate materials that require a level of care similar to that of fine wood furniture. They are calcareous stones, like limestone, and are very acid sensitive. They readily dissolve in acid, therefore acidic products, such as lemon, vinegar or tomato juice should not be left in prolonged contact with either stone. These will cause the stone to etch — the surface finish will dull and change texture, even crumble into powder. Both materials are heat resistant, but they can scorch, so hot pots and pans should not be set directly on a marble or travertine countertop.

Frequent cleaning and re-sealing are needed to keep the materials looking new. They can be dulled by soap scum and hard water, and will show white rings if wet glasses are left on the countertop for too long.

Limestone Limestone Countertop Limestone makes a beautiful countertop that like marble and travertine, requires a lot of care and attention. Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of mostly calcite. Like marble, Limestone is very soft and easy to damage with acids and abrasion. The most frequently used limestone for countertops is probably Jerusalem Stone, a denser, fine-grained limestone that is known for its consistent texture and even color. Limestone is available in earth colors: brown, beige, yellow, gray, and black. Look for consistency in color and even texture throughout the stone. Some limestones can be polished to a high gleam, but the usual finish is a low luster, hewn stone look.

Limestone is soft and porous. It retains moisture and can stain irreparably. Like marble and travertine, it can be damaged by mild household acids like lemon juice, vinegar and tomatoes. It can also be easily scratched and is not usually recommended for busy working surfaces such as in food preparation areas, or any place a knife is likely to be used. But as an accent countertop or backsplash it can be truly gorgeous.

Solid Surfacing
Solid surface is a molded acrylic polymer surface made by heating the acrylic and a form of aluminum called alumina hydrate in a mold. The most recognizable brand in this group is the original composite, DuPont's Corian®. Solid Surface: Pros & Cons
Pros: Sinks can be integrated. Nonporous material is hard to stain and can be made in nearly every size and shape seamlessly. Scratches or burns can generally be repaired invisibly.

Cons: May be pricey and has the potential to melt when hot pans are placed on the surface. The finish may dull over time and need to be rebuffed. Matte finish only.

Easy to maintain, composites come in a wide variety of colors and patterns from a growing number of domestic and foreign manufacturers, including well-known brands such as Wilsonart, Formica and Avonite to name just a few of the most widely available. New players such as LG and Samsung (yes, the electronics manufacturers) have added to the variety. Photo: Dupont Corian® from DuPontp Corian® solid surface with integrated sink. The matte finish is not attractive to many homeowners, but the material is durable, flexible, and reliable.

Chip, stain, heat and bacteria-resistant, solid surfacing is long-lasting and can be repaired if it becomes damaged. Its finish is uniformly matte. No one yet offers a polished solid surface material. Unlike repairs to laminates, the patches are virtually invisible. Sinks can be undermounted and, unlike other countertop materials, even integrated, which means the sink is made of the same material and seamlessly joined to the countertop.

Not So Solid Surfacing Photo: EOS

Solid Surface Section
Solid surfacing is not at all solid. It must be supported by wood framework to keep from sagging. The illusion of thickness comes from gluing a nose piece to the front of the surface sheet. Only EOS offers an 1-1/4" solid surface that is structurally sturdy enough to use without backing. Most brands offer matching undermount sinks that seamlessly attach to the countertop material. Undermount sinks offer a number of advantages to traditional sinks that sit on the countertop; perhaps the most helpful is that you can sweep debris from the countertop into the sink without having to maneuver it over the sink's lip.

Usually (but not always) less expensive than most natural stone, solid surfacing is not a budget countertop solution. Still, it is an excellent, lifetime material. Solid surfacing countertops we installed 15 years ago still look good. So, if your new kitchen is the last kitchen you will ever have, solid surfacing may be the choice for you. Sources of Supply: Solid Surface Engineered Composites
When we first wrote this article in 2003, there was essentially one filler material used in engineered composites: quartz. In fact, quartz was so predominant that the original title of this section was then "Quartz and Engineered Stone". In the intervening years things have changed dramatically. Composite filler materials now include metal, glass, paper and bamboo as well as stone, and no doubt before this revision is actually uploaded, someone will come up with yet another filler material.

The object of using all these new materials is to get greener. Most are either environmentally sustainable or contain a high percentage of post-consumer waste, or both, giving them at least the patina of being a "green" material.

Since the manufacturing process uses a lot of energy and requires environmentally questionable chemicals such as phenol (derived from petroleum), methane and formaldehyde, we rather doubt the "greenness" of any petro-resin-bonded composite material. This is an example of the questionable practice of promoting products as "green" merely because they contain Engineered Composites: Pros & Cons
Pros: Sinks can be undermounted. Very hard, very scratch resistant, very hard to stain. No sealing or on-going maintenance required. "Real" stone look.

Cons: Very pricey. Some homeowners find it a little too uniform in appearance. some environmentally friendly components or processes while ignoring the totality of the product which may be about as eco-friendly overall as acid rain. It's called "greenwashing" and we don't think phenolic composites are or can ever be truly green, just greenwashed (See sidebar, below).

A composite countertop is thermosetting plastic, usually a phenolic resin derived from petroleum, with a filler added. Engineered composites are not new. The very first thermosetting plastic, Bakelite, developed around 1909 by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland, was a phenolic resin made with wood dust. Bakelite was developed for use as an electrical insulator but also found a home as the plastic shell for many very early radios and as the material used to make those truly ugly institutional food trays.

Sources of Supply: Engineered Composites:
Product Web Site Telephone
Quartz Fillers
Caesarstone www.caesarstoneus.com (818) 779-0999
Silestone www.silestoneusa.com (800) 291-1311
Zodiaq by Dupont www.zodiaq.com (877) 229-3935
Glass Fillers
Bio-GLASS www.coveringsetc.com (305) 757-6000
EnviroGLAS www.enviroglasproducts.com (972) 473-3725
Paper Fillers
PaperStone www.paperstoneproducts.com (360) 538-9815
Richlite www.richlite.com (888) 383-5533
ShetkaStone www.shetkastone.com (507) 357-4177
Bamboo/Wood Fillers
EcoTop by Kliptech www.kliptech.com (253) 507-4622
Miscellaneous Fillers
Eco by Cosentino www.ecobycosentino.com 866-579-4326
Some manufacturers have traded in petro-based resins for binders made of natural oils, such as corn oil. We certainly applaud these efforts. Now all we need is a few years of seasoning to see how well non-petro-binders actually hold up under normal use.

The filler makes up the bulk of the material gives the material much of its character. Common filler materials used today are quartz dust, glass shards, cellulose fibers, and metal shavings. When combined with a phenolic resin and baked under tremendous pressure the result is a dense, very tough, durable surface that looks much more like natural stone than does solid surfacing, but is harder and more flexible than real stone and free of the fissures, chips and pits that plague real stone. And, unlike natural stone, composites never need sealing. They are virtually maintenance free.

Often more expensive than natural stone, engineered composite products are not for those on a budget. The good news, though, is that prices seem to be continuously coming down as the market becomes more competitive.

Quartz Composites: The flagship engineered composite countertop, owning over 60% of the market, is Silestone®. Other quartz composite manufacturers include Caeserstone and Zodiac. Quartz is the fourth hardest natural mineral, after diamonds, topaz and sapphire. The binding material makes the material more flexible than natural stone - thus less likely to chip, crack or break. But it can be damaged by high heat - so never put a hot pan on any engineered composite.

Paper Composites: A relative newcomer to the countertop world, paper composites are often heralded as an environmentally friendly countertop product. We have some doubts about this (See sidebar).

Photo: Paperstone Paperstone Countertop Paper composite countertops are durable, but come in limited patterns and colors. This one looks a lot like soapstone. Putting environmental issues aside, however, the product is a very good countertop material. The paper is either pulp from managed forests or post-consumer waste — one manufacturer uses a high percentage of decommissioned paper money. It is dense and heavy, weighing about as much as natural granite. It can scratch, but since the color goes all the way through the material, it takes a very serious marring to show any damage. Variations in the base paper often result slight color variations and a "mottled" appearance, especially in lighter colors. There are no patterns available, all of the products have solid coloring. Seams will show, so careful design is needed to minimize or disguise seams.

The material is tough enough to use in chemical laboratories (its original application), and strong enough to be used as skating rink floors, but it will wear and can stain. Homeowners who prefer these countertops admire products like soapstone and concrete that show a patina of age. Over time and with use, the countertop will develop a seasoned appearance. It will exhibit a softer, deeper tone, with more luster in the areas of heavier use. Green LogoCan Engineered Composites Ever Really Be "Green"?
All engineered composites are made much the same way: a filler material is mixed with a thermosetting resin and compressed under high heat and tremendous pressure. The most commonly used resin is phenolic resin, a combination of phenol and formaldehyde with just a soupcon of methane. None of these is particularly enviro-friendly. Phenol has been identified by Greenpeace as a prime suspect in the growing incidence of reproductive disorders in humans, including lowered sperm counts in males, and has begun appearing in breast milk. Formaldehyde is a well known carcinogen. Finished products can "out-gas" formaldehyde for some time after manufacture, although modern manufacturing techniques now minimize out-gassing with low VOC formulations.

The major difference between Richlite, branded a "green" material, and Silestone (not green) is the filler material. The filler in Richlite is paper pulp fiber from "certified managed forests". Silestone uses quartz. Rock is not usually though of as a "green" material because it is not renewable.

Absolutely true. Once quartz is removed from the ground, there is no process that we know of that will refill the resulting hole with new quartz. But apply a little common sense here. Is our use of quartz really an environmental problem?

Our 3rd rock from the sun is composed mostly of, well, rock. So far all of the rock quarrying activity throughout all of human history does not equal the amount of stone in one smallish mountain. We have lots and lots of rock — a whole planetful of rock. Rock is the most common material we have — more plentiful than dirt. At present rates of usage we will never run out of rock. The sun will explode first, and vaporize the planet.

So how "green" is this stuff if the only green part is just one of its materials while the rest of its components and the manufacturing process itself is very, very ungreen?

We absolutely applaud the use of post-consumer waste in any product, and strongly support managed foresty. We think composites are a durable, beautiful material well suited for countertops in the finest kitchens. But adding some sustainable paper pulp or recycled glass does not make the material green. "Greener" maybe, at best, but decidedly not "green".

Besides eco-friendly fillers, true "green" is going to required friendlier binders and a less energy intensive process. Some manufacturers are already pioneering greener resins. Paperstone, for example uses a natural resin binder made from, of all things, cashew nuts. Kliptech also uses a non-phenolic water-based resin in its EcoTop material. Hats off to these guys. But, these new formulations have little history, so we don't know how long they well last or how durable they are in actual use. The verdict it still out.

But, no one has tackled the energy issue, and it may not be solvable until a completely new binder requiring much less heat and pressure is developed. None are on the horizon that we know of.

Engineered composites are not "green", they are, in fact a very long way from green. They have been "greenwashed" — a process of making a product seem more environmentally friendly by making some of the processes or materials more eco-friendly. If a composite works for your kitchen and lifestyle, fine, buy it. But don't buy it because it is greener than the alternative. It's really not.

Glass Composites Glass is also a relatively new filler material in composite countertops. The material is between 75% and 85% Photo: EnviroGLAS Enviroglas Countertop Glass composite countertop from EnviroGLAS. post-consumer glass, depending on the manufacturer, with the rest being a colored resin binder. Thousands of pieces of polished glass, which began life as beer bottles, windshields, traffic lights, and stemware are chopped up and become the predominant material in this composite.

It is tough and durable and has a truly unique texture of light reflecting off of glass particles. Although the surface is very hard, it can be scratched and high heat will damage the resin binder. Use a cutting board and put hot pans on a trivet.

Aluminum Composites: Photo: Alkemi Alkemi Countertop Aluminum composite countertop from Alkemi. Even shredded aluminum is finding its way into composite countertops. The manufacturer, Alkemi, uses shavings of scrap aluminum that are embedded in a resin that comes in dozens of colors. The metal reflects light in interesting ways, and the resin provides a contemporary appearance. With both a matte and a polished side on each slab, the materials offer the homeowner a choice of visual effects.

The surface is durable and resists heat, but as with most resin-bound composite products can be scratched by the truly determined and will be damaged by high heat.

Bamboo & Wood Composites: Photo: EcoTop EcoTop Countertop EcoTop bamboo composite countertop from Kliptech. Bamboo is an especially green material because it is plentiful, grows rapidly, and is easily renewed. It has become almost a first choice for eco-friendly flooring and decking, and is now used by one manufacturer as a filler for composite countertops. The filler is not just bamboo fiber, but also wood fiber from recycled lumber. We doubt that cellulose fibers from bamboo or wood are much different chemically from those extracted from paper, so it may be the that all of these fillers belong in one category — cellulose filler.

With a new, more environmentally friendlier water based resin binder, the company is reportedly able to make lighter, fade resistant, colors.

Repair is a matter of sanding out any scratches with fine sandpaper or a ScotchBrite scouring pad. Resistant to heat, the product will not stand very hot pans and will be damaged by high heat.

Due to its use of bamboo filler, the product is promoted by the manufacturer as a "green" material. We doubt that. See the sidebar at right.

Miscellaneous Composites: In describing these products as composed mostly of trash, we are not being disrespectful. One manufacturer, Cosentino, a well-established Spanish stone processor, uses filler material composed of 75% or so post-consumer and industrial waste, including salvaged mirrors, window and bottle glass, porcelain and industrial furnace residuals. The remainder is stone scrap bonded with 22% corn oil resin. The salvaged fillers and corn oil rather than petroleum resins make this about the greenist of the "greenish" countertops, and perhaps as eco-friendly as can be achieved with high pressure and heat processes that require an enormous amount of energy. The product is too new to have been extensively tested in the marketplace, but its manufacturer claims that it performs as well as the less eco-friendly composites, and backs its claims with a 5-year warranty.


Are you ready for your own dream kitchen?

We can build one just right for your budget. Contact usE-mail us at design@starcraftcustombuilders.com and let's get started.






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    The toe-kick space under your cabinets can be effectively used for extra storage, to store kitchen and bathroom accessories and for truly dramatic lighting.