cover story

Countertops for stone or wood countertops that can be

refinished or recut to suit your space.

How to choose
Our tests reveal the looks that last Match the material to the probable wear
and tear it will get in your household. Look

A
ll countertops look good in
the showroom, but keeping
them pristine requires durable
materials or high maintenance.
We stained, scratched, sliced, scorched,
and pummeled leading brands of 11 mate-
rials and found long-lasting, attractive
countertops no matter how much—or lit-
tle—you want to spend.
You can’t get a more classic look than
natural stone. But only granite aced most
of our tests. Marble was at the bottom of
our Ratings and limestone didn’t do much
better. Quartz—a man-made combination
of stone, color, and resin—edged out gran-
ite because of slightly better overall perfor-
mance. And you don’t need to reseal it.
Laminate, another kitchen countertop
staple, excelled at resisting stains, heat,
and impacts. Plus it’s inexpensive. Choose
nature-inspired colors or crisp whites for a
classic touch. While we found differences for deals, such as a free sink or upgrades to
among materials, there were few brand a more expensive color or edge treatment
distinctions, so our Ratings are by mate- with your countertop purchase. Then:
rial. We also found: Factor in finishes. Laminates with
There’s an app for that. Download smooth finishes showed imperfections
DuPont’s free mySurface app to an iPhone more than textured ones. Concrete and
or iPod Touch to view screen-sized swatch- butcher block performed differently de-
es of their solid surfacing and quartz prod- pending on their sealer. But granites with
ucts and to order samples. DuPont also proprietary sealers, such as Stonemark,
has an online design guide. Match quartz performed no better than regular granite.
countertops to paints at Cambriausa.com; Select the sink. An undermounted
mix surfaces and cabinets at Formica.com. sink needs a waterproof counter, such as
Eco-friendly countertops? We haven’t stainless steel, stone, quartz, solid surfac-
found a material that’s completely green. ing, or concrete. For a seamless look use
The Richlite countertops we tested are those materials (except stone and quartz)
made of paper from certified, managed for the countertop and sink.
forests, but the resin is petroleum-based. Bring in a pro. Once the base cabinets
Check “green” credentials by how much are installed, have the fabricator take fi-
recycled content a material contains and nal measurements (and responsibility);
whether it’s made of renewable sources. create templates for sinks, cooktops, and
Another option: Scout home salvage yards faucets; and make those cutouts.

Ratings Kitchen countertops 1 close up

In performance order. 5 Excellent 4 Very good 3 Good 2 Fair 1 Poor On edge

Material Price per sq. ft.  Overall score Test results Edges are a seemingly small detail that can
affect the overall look of your countertop.
Abrasion 

Impact 
Stains

Heat

Cutting

Straight edges add a contemporary flair

without costing more. Rounded and bullnose
edges (¼, ½, or full) are chameleons, fitting
many styles. Plus they’re less likely to chip and
Quartz (engineered stone) $ 50-$100 87 &X &Z &Z &Z &V less risky when anyone bumps into them. The
Granite 45-200 86 & X & Z & Z & Z & V ogee complements traditional designs. Bevel,
Tile (ceramic and porcelain) 10-30 76 & C & Z & Z & X & C or slanted, edges bring a contemporary look
Laminate 10-30 67 & Z & Z & V & C & X and may not cost extra if the bevel is on the top
Solid surfacing 35-100 53 & X & X & V & V & X only. But most decorative edges can add $10 to
Paper composite * $50 a linear foot to the countertop price.
50-100 49 & X & X & V & V & X
Concrete (penetrating sealer) 80-120 48 & V & Z & C & V & B
Stainless steel 100-150 45 & X & Z & B & V & B
Concrete (topical sealer) 80-120 37 & Z & V & B & C & B 1 ¼ round
Limestone 60-100 34 & V & Z & B & V & B
Butcher block (oil finish) 30-65 34 & V & X & B & V & B
Butcher block (varnished) 30-65 32 & Z & B & B & B & B
Marble 50-140 19 & C & V & B & B & B
* Only Richlite’s product was tested. Results for other brands might vary. 1 Ogee

Guide to the Ratings

Overall score summarizes performance in all tests. Stains shows resistance to 20 common foods and
household products. Heat gauges how well materials resisted damage and discoloration from a pot filled
with oil heated to 400° F. Cutting reflects resistance to damage from weighted chef ’s and serrated knives
used in slicing and chopping motions. Abrasion is resistance to damage from a weighted sanding block. 1 ¼ bevel
Impact reflects ability to withstand blunt and pointed weights dropped from up to 3½ feet. Price is the
usual range per square foot, including installation.

40 co n s um er r ep o rt s au g u s t 2 0 1 0
 Countertop options: Some can take more wear and tear
Quartz
Price $50 to $100 per sq. ft.
Best for busy kitchens and baths.
It’s stain- and heat-resistant and
low-maintenance. It doesn’t need
sealing and is available in vibrant colors
and in styles that mimic natural stone.
But edges and corners can chip.
Rounded edges help. Stone finishes
can appear more uniform than natural.
Granite
Price $45 to $200 per sq. ft.
Best for a natural stone look. It can
withstand heavy use in a kitchen or
bathroom. It resists stains when it’s
properly sealed and it also resists
heat and scratches.
But it needs resealing to protect it
from stains. Color and grain can
differ from samples, so it’s best to
choose at the stone yard.
Tile (ceramic or porcelain)
Price $10 to $30 per sq. ft.
Best for use near stoves because it’s
heat-resistant. It comes in many
colors, patterns, and prices.
But it chips. The grout between tiles
stains, even when it’s sealed, and can
mildew. Poor installation can increase
those problems. Thinner grout lines
and darker grout might help.
Laminate
Price $10 to $30 per sq. ft.
Best for a wide variety of colors and
patterns at a budget-friendly price.
It’s excellent at resisting stains and
heat damage and is simple to install.
But it’s easily scratched by kitchen
knives and isn’t repairable. Most
laminates have visible seams, though
post-formed (seamless) options
are available.
Solid surfacing
Price $35 to $100 per sq. ft.
Best for seamless installations,
especially in bathrooms. Many colors
and styles are available, including
those that mimic concrete, stone, and
quartz. It’s stain-resistant, and small
nicks and scratches can be repaired.
But it’s easily scratched. Stone finishes
can look more uniform than natural.
NOTE: Prices include installation. A typical kitchen needs 56 sq. ft.; a bathroom, 6 to 10 sq. ft.
Stainless steel
Price $100 to $150 per sq. ft.
Best for a modern kitchen. It
repels stains and heat and doesn’t
rust or discolor. The countertop
can be made with an integral sink
for a seamless look.
But it can look cold in a bathroom.
It shows fingerprints and dents and
scratches easily. Matte or grain
finishes hide damage better.
Concrete
Price $80 to $120 per sq. ft.
Best for customizing. It can be
dyed or textured.
But it can develop cracks. Its
durability depends on the fabricator’s
skill and the sealers used. Topical
sealers, which resist stains but not
heat, are best for bathrooms.
Penetrating sealers resist heat but
stain and must be reapplied.
Limestone
Price $60 to $100 per sq. ft.
Best for a natural stone look
without heavy veining or graining
in a guest bathroom, powder room,
or low-traffic kitchen. It withstands
heat very well.
But it’s a very soft stone that is
easily sliced, nicked, and scratched.
It’s also porous, so it stains easily
even when it’s properly sealed.
Butcher block
Price $30 to $65 per sq. ft.
Best for a country kitchen and for
cutting produce. It’s easy to install
and repair.
But it might need periodic sealing
or refinishing to remove cuts, dings,
and scratches. Its finish affects
performance. Varnish improves
stain resistance and penetrating
oils decrease it.
Marble
Price $50 to $140 per sq. ft.
Best for a classic stone look in
low-traffic areas, such as a baking
zone or a guest bathroom. It’s
available in a wide range of
natural colors.
But it’s more porous than granite,
so it’s not as stain-resistant. It also
scratches easily, isn’t very heat-
resistant, and needs periodic sealing.
aug us t 2010 w w w.C o n su m e r R e p o rt s. o rg 41
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