Kitchen Countertops and Backsplashes

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Simple mixture of cement, aggregate (often sand) and water.

Tips for Selection: Since large amounts of energy are required for transport, look for a local fabricator. Use fly ash as a substitute for cement (at least 30%).

Advantages:

1. practically indestructible.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Formica is a manufacturer that offers high-pressure laminate Formica counter top in hundreds of colors, patterns, finishes and textures. Created from layers of decorative paper and kraft paper—a strong, moisture-resistant product with bonded fiber. These papers are treated with resin and fused together using high heat and pressure.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: made of individual tiles with spaces filled in with grout.

Tips for Selection: Unglazed tiles (which generally have a matte finish) must be sealed; glazed tiles are impervious to water.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Material definition: Although some quartz countertops are actually made of quarried slabs of the natural stone, the new engineered material is actually created through a manufacturing process that mixes approximately 95 percent ground natural quartz with 5 percent polymer resins. The result is a super-hard, low-maintenance, natural stone-look countertop available in a dazzling array of colors.

A quartz counter top, also known as . . .

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: The stone-synthetic composite - Corian's Zodiaq, Formica's Crystalite and Cosentino's Silestone - are all made of about 90 percent quartz particles and 10 percent acrylic or epoxy binder. Some of the composites look like natural stone, but not one that you could identify. Others are so close to real granite that you're left asking, "Is it real or is it Memorex?" And some are even better than the real thing.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Solid surface countertops are made by blending acrylic polymers (basically plastic) and stone-derived materials, which are then poured into molds to create half-inch-thick sheets.

Tips for Selection: Available in more than 90 colors, DuPont Corian is an advanced blend of natural materials and pure acrylic polymer used to create a seamless, clean, stylish look for your kitchen work surfaces.

HIGHLIGHTS: There are many different materials that fall into this category.

Material definition: Quartz, slate, granite...there are several materials that can be labeled as "black" countertop material.

Tips for Selection: Be aware of how materials will have different finishes and looks.

Average Material Cost: depends entirely upon your selection of material as prices will vary.

OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops: The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for ki

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Minimally processed, natural material; durable.

Tips for Selection: Look for Forest Stewardship Council-certified, salvaged, or reclaimed wood. Ask for a Chain-of-Custody certification. If product is laminated, avoid product with added formaldehyde.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Made from clay, a natural but finite resource. Durable, low maintenance.

Tips for Selection: Look for locally manufactured tiles with high recycled glass content, preferably post-consumer. Large tiles reduce the number of grout joints. Recommended as backsplash; may not be practical for countertop.

Glass has a natural green tint color to it, but colors can be created with coatings on the underside of the counter, or colors can be added in the manufacturing process.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Made from clay, a natural but finite resource. Durable, low maintenance.

Tips for Selection: Look for locally manufactured tiles with high recycled content (glass, ceramic), preferably post-consumer. Avoid lead-based and radioactive glazes on some imported tiles.