RENO'S: The encyclopedia of countertopia

If you're remodelling or designing a kitchen from scratch, you can be sure counters will eat up a healthy chunk of your budget.

There are many options with varying price points. Some are shiny, heavy and pricey, including colourful granite, while soapstone and concrete create a subdued impression that's more country than urban glam. There are fragile performers and the almost indestructible laminates that should be the solution for busy families where knives nick and tear.

Often, you can end up with a combination of surfaces in one kitchen, meaning it's important to know what best suits your lifestyle and budget. We spoke to kitchen-design companies to understand the pros and cons of various surfaces.

Here's what we found.

QUARTZ/ENGINEERED STONE

Engineered stone is composed of crushed quartz particles that have been combined with polymer resins and pigment. It's uniform in colour and pattern, which is great for those looking for a clean finish. It's also available in a wide range of colours.

"The look is different. It's more of a solid, speckled finish, versus some of the stones that have a grain," says co-owner Jim Deslaurier, of Ottawa's Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, adding it's easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Some brands on the market include Cambria, Silestone and CaesarStone.

Pros It is stain-and scratch-resistant, easy to care for and manufacturers usually include a warranty.

Cons Expensive to fix if chipped or cracked.

Cost $50 to $100 per square foot, installed.

GRANITE

Granite is right up there with quartz, and is the top material of choice if budget is not an issue. The popularity of this surface has skyrocketed, and the fact that it boosts a property's resale value doesn't hurt. This material is a rock with naturally occurring variations in colour and pattern. While it does hold up to heat, experts suggest using a protector to avoid any problems. Some warn the counter may crack if a hot object is placed near a weakened area or hidden fissure, or if the counter has not been installed properly.

Pros A wet cloth cleans this surface easily. It has the second-highest hardness rating after diamonds.

Cons Requires some maintenance, including a sealer. Some stone absorbs stains if not sealed; knives can become dull if you cut on it.

Cost $55 to $200/sq. ft., installed.

LAMINATES

Laminate counters, made of plastic-coated synthetics, are manufactured by several companies, including Formica, Nevamar and Arborite. They've come a long way over the past decade, and boast thousands of looks, including textures similar to leather, marble and granite.

"Laminate today is not the laminate of even 10 years ago," says Aviva Ben-Choreen, a designer with Laurysen Kitchens Ltd. "There are new textures, there are new colours. It's no longer just a fine polka-dot, or something that looks like granite. You can now get things that look like slate, feel like slate. There's some really beautiful and wild colours available."

Pros Cost-efficient, easy to clean and available in a variety of colours


Cons Scratches and chips are difficult to repair, seams show, end and front-edge finishes can be pricey.

Cost $25 to $70/sq. ft., installed.

WOOD OR BUTCHER BLOCK

Wood countertops offer a beautiful, warm look and are available in a wide range of colours and finishes. Maple is often the wood of choice because of its colouring. Wood is used as an accent piece, especially with island counters having multiple sections, says Mr. Deslaurier.

"You can have a special prep area where you can put a solid maple block and use it for a cutting board. That being said, people have drifted away from wood cutting blocks, because it's proven that they can hold bacteria, versus the stones and different substances that you can cut on now."

Pros Easy to clean and season with vegetable oil. It can be sanded and resealed as needed.

Cons May stain over time. Can be damaged by water and heat.

Cost $30 to $125/sq. ft., installed.

SOAPSTONE

Soapstone is non-porous, comes in dark grey tones, and is silky and smooth to the touch. It's made of compressed talc and is often seen in both traditional and modern homes. Mr. Deslaurier says it's not as popular as quartz, but there are clients who want that beautiful honed look.

Pros Smooth feel, somewhat stain-resistant, does not need to be sealed.

Cons Not many colour options, requires regular mineral oil treatments, and scratches easily.

Cost $60 to $200/sq. ft., installed.

MARBLE

This surface is classic. However, because of the cost, it's not often used throughout an entire kitchen.

To get the luxurious look, Marie-Eve Beaudoin of Poirier Kitchens suggests using it on an island or as an inset at a baking centre.

"You see it a lot in magazines, because it is very beautiful," Ms. Beaudoin says, adding they don't install it often in kitchens, as it stains easily.

Pros Marble is elegant, waterproof and heatproof.

Cons Porous, stains easily unless professionally sealed, can scratch.

Cost $50 to $200/sq. ft., installed.

STAINLESS STEEL

This contemporary material is heat resistant and can be installed with a seamless finish. Stainless steel is popular for those wanting a style-forward or an industrial look; it can incorporate a stainless sink in a seamless piece. It's also often used as backsplash or accent piece. "We'll do an island or part of an island, and maybe all the prep area around the stove in steel," says Mr. Deslaurier.

Pros Easy to sanitize. Takes hot pans without marking.

Cons It does scratch and may dent, adding to the industrial look.

Cost $100 to $200/sq. ft.

CONCRETE

Concrete may be a good choice if you're looking for a custom shape and an edgy or handcrafted look; it can be formed into any mould. However, as it's often cast right in the kitchen, Mr. Deslaurier says the installation is a more complicated process. While this material is not as popular as granite or quartz, Mr. Deslaurier says that when he does sell it, it's to someone who doesn't want anything else. "It's because somebody walks in and says, 'I want concrete,' and that's it."

Pros Heat-and scratch-resistant, can be colour-tinted, looks exotic. Additives reduce porosity; custom-formed with a modern appeal.

Cons It can crack without proper treatment. It can appear cold and industrial. It is porous, but can be sealed.

Cost $80 to $120/sq. ft., installed.

SOLID SURFACE

Manufactured solid surfaces, including Corian, are acrylic-based products that are usually half an inch thick, and can be moulded and shaped. The esthetic advantage is that, when it's glued during installation, the seams disappear, making for a flawless finish.

"Corian is very versatile," says Ms. Beaudoin. "You can actually have a one-piece counter that goes to the floor. You can have a Corian sink built in one piece."

Pros It comes in a rainbow of colours and patterns. Scratches can be buffed out.

Cons The more pigment, the more expensive; extremely vulnerable to hot pots.

Cost $80 to $140/sq. ft., installed.

(prepared by Paula McCooey/National Post)