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What should you use for your kitchen countertops?

Here is a comparison of the most used material available on the market to help you make a wise choice:

GLASS COUNTERTOPS (ThinkGlass)

• Maintenance Free: YES
• Requires Sealing: NO
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
• Scratch Resistant: YES and if there are little scratches, they will not show on textured glass
  
• Heat Resistant: YES
• Chemicals Resistant: YES
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: Limited
• Ease of Installation: **
• Recyclable: YES
• Cost: $$-$$$

RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS (Vettrazzo, Icestone)

• Maintenance Free: NO
• Requires Sealing: YES
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES, if well sealed
• Scratch Resistant: YES
• Heat Resistant: YES, but sealer might not
• Chemicals Resistant: YES, but but sealer might not
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
• Ease of Installation: ***
• Recyclable: part of it is recycled but might not be fully recyclable
• Cost: $$

CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS

• Maintenance Free: NO
• Requires Sealing: YES
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: NO
• Scratch Resistant: Sealer could scratch
• Heat Resistant: yes, but sealer might not
• Chemicals Resistant: may damage sealing
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: NO
• Ease of Installation:***
• Recyclable: YES
• Cost: $$

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

• Maintenance Free:NO
• Requires Sealing: YES
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: Yes, if well sealed
• Scratch Resistant: Hard, but can scratch
• Heat Resistant: YES, but sealer might not
• Chemicals Resistant: NO
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: NO
• Ease of Installation: ***
• Recyclable: YES
• Cost: $-$$-$$$

QUARTZ/ENGINEERED STONE COUNTERTOPS (Ceasar Stone, Silestone, Samsung)

• Maintenance Free: YES
• Requires Sealing: NO
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
• Scratch Resistant: Hard but can scratch
• Heat Resistant: Limited
• Chemicals Resistant: Limited
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: Limited
• Ease of Installation: –
• Recyclable: –
• Cost: $$ -$$$

WOOD COUNTERTOPS (Spekva)

• Maintenance Free: NO
• Requires Sealing: YES
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: NO
• Scratch Resistant: NO
• Heat Resistant: NO
• Chemicals Resistant: NO
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: NO
• Ease of Installation: **
• Recyclable: YES
• Cost: $ -$$

STAINLESS/COPPER COUNTERTOPS

• Maintenance Free: YES
• Requires Sealing: NO
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
• Scratch Resistant: NO
• Heat Resistant: YES
• Chemicals Resistant: NO
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
• Ease of Installation: ***
• Recyclable: YES
• Cost: $$

SOLID SURFACE COUNTERTOPS (Corian)

• Maintenance Free: YES
• Requires Sealing: NO
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
• Scratch Resistant:NO
• Heat Resistant:NO
• Chemicals Resistant: NO
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: YES
• Ease of Installation: ***
• Recyclable: NO
• Cost: $

LAVA STONE COUNTERTOPS (pyrolave)

• Maintenance Free: YES
• Requires Sealing: NO
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
• Scratch Resistant: YES
• Heat Resistant: YES
• Chemicals Resistant: YES
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
• Ease of Installation: –
• Recyclable: –
• Cost: $$$

PAPER COUNTERTOPS (Paperstone)

• Maintenance Free: NO
• Requires Sealing: YES (natural)
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: –
• Scratch Resistant: NO
• Heat Resistant: No excessive heat
• Chemicals Resistant: NO
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: Limited
• Ease of Installation: ***
• Recyclable: YES
• Cost: $

TILE COUNTERTOPS (Ceramic, Porcelain)

• Maintenance Free: NO
• Requires Sealing: YES
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: Grout NO
• Scratch Resistant: YEs
• Heat Resistant: YES
• Chemicals Resistant: YES
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
• Ease of Installation: **
• Recyclable: NO
• Cost: $

LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS (Arborite, Willsonart, Formica, Nevamar)

• Maintenance Free: YES
• Requires Sealing: NO
• Mold/Mildew Resistant: YES
• Scratch Resistant: NO
• Heat Resistant: NO
• Chemicals Resistant: NO
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: –
• Ease of Installation:**
• Recyclable: NO
• Cost: $