Natural Stone

• A Natural Stone Countertop, photo by Editor B
  
  Many kinds of stone are used for kitchen counters, including granite, marble and quartz. Natural stone counters clean easily and are very durable, but they require care and can be expensive.
  
  

Laminate

• Laminate is plastic bonded to paper and particle board and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. It is affordable and easy to take care of but will eventually wear out.
  
  

Ceramic Tile

• A Ceramic Tile Countertop, photo by The Author
  
  Ceramic tile is made from oven-fired clay. Ceramic tile is water resistant and has many design and color options. But the tiles can be chipped or broken more easily than other materials and you have to keep the grout clean to keep it looking new.
  
  

Butcher Block

• Butcher block is made from pieces of hardwood bonded together, then mounted on the counter with the edges up. With proper maintenance, you can use a butcher block counter as a cutting board, but it can be burned and scratched more easily than other types of counters.
  
  

Metal

• An Industrial Stainless Steel Countertop, by David Monniaux
  
  Metal counters made for residential use are bonded to wood to reduce the noise when you put things down on them. Among the metals used are stainless steel, copper and zinc. Metal counters clean easily and resist stains, but they can be permanently scratched or dented.
  
  

Solid Surface

• Solid surface counters are made from plastic resin with additives to give the surface color. It can be completely seamless from the counter to the backsplash to the sink itself, though it can scorch and will stain more easily than other kinds of counters.