| Surface Type |
What is it? |
Care & maintenance |
DIY? |
What it costs |
| Laminate |
Industrial paper or fabric laid onto a highdensity
fiberboard (HDF) or plywood substrate (backing) and coated with melamine
resins. Wide range of available colors, textures, and edge treatments. |
Withstands heat and abrasion fairly well. Cannot be
repaired if scorched. Knives or harsh scrubbers will scratch. Impervious to
water and common solvents/cleaners. |
Most confident woodworkers can cut and glue their own. You
can also buy limited selections of prefabricated and preformed sections. |
About $8-$20 per square foot, installed; more with custom
edgework such as bevels or rolls. |
| Tile |
Clay tiles fired in kilns and sealed with a hard-fired
glaze. For countertops, specify "impervious" tile that won't absorb
water or other liquids. |
Extremely heattolerant and hard to scratch, but can break
with heavy impact. Easy to keep clean, but grout joints require periodic
cleaning, bleaching, or regrouting. |
Laying ceramic tile is within the reach of many
do-it-your-selfers. Rent a tile saw or cutter, and expect to spend $50 on
other tools. Tile also requires cementboard substrate (backing). |
Most common residential tiles run $5-$20 per square foot,
professionally installed. |
| Butcherblock |
Most often strips of hard maple laminated with
water-resistant glue (aka butcher block), forming a 1”inch-thick slab. Other woods,
including exotic types such as teak or zebrawood, are also available. |
Requires a food-friendly sealer such as mineral oil,
renewed periodically. Will scorch and scratch, but surface can be renewed by
power sanding. Standing water and other liquids can stain. Not practical
everywhere, but great for a baking center or an island. |
Don't plan on making your own unless you have woodworking experience
and tools. Instead, order a standard size and use as is; fasten from below
with screws. |
For standard laminated maple tops, about $50 per linear
foot is typcial. Exotic woods cost more. |
| Solid Surfacing |
Plastic resin composites available in a variety of colors;
most mimic the look of natural stone. Can be fabricated with integral sinks
and other details. Available in 1/2-inch-thick panels or 1/8-inch veneers. |
Nonporous and resists scorching. Softer than stone, but
scratches and stains can be sanded and buffed out. Easy to clean. |
Professional fabrication and installation only. |
About $50-$80 per square foot, installed. Custom edge
treatments add as much as $20 per linear foot. |
| Engineered Stone |
Crushed quartz mixed with pigments and binder resins;
often mimics granite but also features intense hues and consistent patterns
not found in natural stone. |
Durable and nonporous; resists scratches, burns, and
stains, and does not need periodic sealing. |
Requires stone-cutting tools to fabricate. Professional fabrication
and installation only. |
About $60-$90 per square foot, installed; add more for
custom edges. Consider using in limited quantities (such as on an isalnd) is
cost is an issue. |
| Granite |
A hard and dense igneous stone, known for durability and
great depth of color. Most home centers and stone yards sell dozens of
varieties. |
Impervious to heat and abrasion, but scratching from
knives is possible. Periodic sealing required to prevent stains. Glossy
surface shows fingerprints, but you can opt for a honed/matte finish. |
Professional fabrication and installation only. Requires
specialized machinery and diamond blades, plus polishing. It's heavy and must
be fitted on-site. |
Most varieties run $60-$100 per square foot, installed;
exotic types or custom edge shaping and edge profiles can increase cost.
Consider using in limited quantities (such as on an island) if cost is an
issue. |