SURFACE PROS AND CONS
SOLID SURFACING
PROS:
- Invisible seams
- Can be repaired
- Waterproof, so it can be used with undermount sinks; also available with integral sinks made of solid surfacing
CONS:
- Heat can damage surface over time
- Needs to be fabricated and installed by a professional
COST:
$70 TO $150 per linear foot installed.
CONCRETE
PROS:
- Unique shapes, textures and colors available
- Can be fabricated with integral sinks and drainboards
- Available as precast molded slabs or can be made on site
- Color can change over time and hairline cracks can develop, but these add character
CONS:
- Experienced fabricators are hard to find
- Expensive
- Hot pots can damage sealers and knives can leave scratches
- Needs to be waxed annually to maintain finish
COST:
$75 to $200 per square foot installed.
WOOD
PROS:
- Beautiful and wide variety of species available
- Great for slicing, chopping, cutting
- Scratches can be sanded out, so surface is renewable
CONS:
- Not heatproof or waterproof (teak is an exception)
- Should be oiled occasionally to maintain good looks
- Spilled foods can stain surface
COST:
$40 to $100 per square foot installed
GRANITE
PROS:
- Available in a wide range of colors and patterns
- Heatproof and waterproof
- Can be used with undermounted sinks
CONS:
- Can look institutional
- Can be noisy
- Hard on breakables and knives
- Honed finishes are easier to maintain than polished ones
COST:
$75 TO $200 per linear fot installed. Engineered stone offers many of the advantages of stone at a lower cost, from $45 to $90 per square foot installed.
STAINLESS STEEL
PROS:
- Heatproof and waterproof
- Can be used with undermount sinks; also available with integral sinks made of stainless steel for a seamless look
- Won't fade, rust or chip
CONS:
- Can dent or scratch, but minor scratches can be buffed out
- Shows watermarks and mineral depostis, but brushed finishes are easier to maintain than polished ones
- Noisy
COST:
$65 to $150 per linear foot installed.
LAMINATE
PROS:
- Available in hundreds of colors and patterns
- Inexpensive
- New edge treatments and post-formed counters eliminate unsightly seams at edges
CONS:
- Hot pans and knives will damage surface
- Damages cannot be repaired
- Can't be used with undermount sinks
COST:
$30 to $35 per linear foot installed; $45 with decorative edge treatments.
TILE
PROS:
- Wide variety of shapes, sizes, designs and colors lets you customize counter
- Wide price range
- Heatproof and waterproof
CONS:
- Grout lines trap food and dirt but improved grouts make staining less of a problem
- Noisy
- Hard on breakables
COST:
$15 to $50 per square foot installed.
What the pros like:
"I love the look of granite, but solid-surface materials and wood are more hygienic (no surface sealers), quieter and more flexible in terms of shape and edge treatments."
-Pat Swalander, Heartwood Kitchen & Bath Design
Calgary, Alberta
"I believe different counter materials serve different functions in the kitchen. Stone near the cooktop offers heat resistance, stainless steel at prep areas is best for sanitation, solid surface at the sink and clean-up areas offers ease of maintenance and wood adds warmth."
-Michelle Wagner, Poliform
Hawaii, Paia, Hawaii
"Stainless steel is one of our favorites. It's a beautiful surface that lasts for years and works well with many professional kitchen appliances. More than that, it's very malleable and can be customized to provide a seamless experience. However, large expanses can be cold or hard, so we often use concrete or stone as accent surfaces to provide warmth, color and texture."
-Ivor Brown, Slant Studio
Emeryville, California
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