Options for Kitchen Countertops

Granite Countertops

Cost: $65—$100 or more per square foot installed

Maintenance: Periodic applications of protective sealant to ward off stains.

Comments:

• Cleans easily; highly resistant to scratching and staining; won't scorch from hot pans.
• There's a wide range of natural colors and patterns, so expect variations even from slab to slab of the same type; if you can, pick stone locally.
• Cabinets must be stout to support weight.
• Fabrication is very labor-intensive, accounting for the material's biggest drawback: its price. Costs climb higher if you choose exotic varieties or details such as intricate contours or laminated and sculpted edges. To keep costs down, most fabricators install 3-centimeter-thick (about 1 1/8-inch-thick) countertops, which don't require built-up edges or the support of a plywood substrate atop the cabinets. For a lower-cost granite option, consider 12x12-inch tiles.