Many people prefer natural materials such as granite, and it's easy to see the appeal. Granite:

Let the coating lapse and even water rings could leave marks. Wipe the countertop daily and never let grease sit on it. Busy people with young families may find granite difficult to maintain. Too many people wait for stains to appear before they apply the sealant. Choosing granite can be difficult. Sample squares may not show the varying patterns visible on a full slab. We recommend delaying your final selection until you look at a wall size slab.

Cutting granite requires water-cooled diamond blades. It takes time and skill to cut them which adds to the price. If you require several cutouts for sinks, faucets and soap dispensers, the price goes up. Edge styles, including straight, beveled and bull-nose, also affect the price. Plan accordingly. It can take up to three weeks from template to installation.

Marble is softer than granite, so it scratches easier. Fortunately, scratches can often be buffed or polished out. Marble also can fracture along veins. Because it's soft and is vulnerable to stains, we don't usually recommend it for kitchen use. Most people choose marble for bathrooms instead of kitchens, yet its cool, non-stick surface is ideal for bakers and candy-makers. People renovating Victorian homes may choose marble for an Old World flair. Marble has more feature variations than granite. View large slabs before you finalize your selection. Like granite, marble is cut with a water-cooled diamond tool, which adds to the cost.

Soapstone, another natural material is becoming trendy. There aren't as many color choices as there are with granite. The spectrum runs from muted gray to green. Soapstone looks wonderful in classic or country kitchens. It also looks stunning with a farmer's sink. There are disadvantages. Soapstone does scratch, though like marble, it can undergo buffing. It's highly resistant to heat, but stains can be a problem. Maintenance is a must. Sealants darken soapstone to give it a warmer appearance.

Cambria, Silestone, and Caeserstone , is an engineered quartz product. It's made by blending crushed quartz with pigments and resins. Quartz is one of the hardest materials in nature, so it creates a surface that is durable, practical and carefree. Unlike granite, quartz surfaces never need sealing. The beautiful combination of quartz crystals and the resin technology creates a surface that's stronger, more consistent and easier to care for than natural stone. They also come with a guarantee, unlike its natural counterparts. It has all the good qualities of Corian and granite. It's stain, scratch and heat resistant. The nonporous surface is easy to clean, and it maintains its luster without sealants or waxes. The quartz gives it a finish similar to natural granite.

Corian and Hannex are manmade solid surface products made of plastic-resin composites. Being manmade has advantages. A Corian sink can be molded so that there's no seam between it and the countertop. There are no crevices to collect bacteria or grime. Corian also comes with a guarantee. Corian is also easily repairable, unlike natural surfaces. Corian withstands heat better than ordinary surface materials. However, hot pans, as well as some heat generating appliances, like frying pans or crockpots, can damage the surface.