Counter revolution

Akitchen countertop is much more than a place to butter your toast and stack your bills.

As the kitchen has increasingly become the hub of most homes, the countertop has become a dominant piece in interior design. It defines the kitchen and provides a "wow" factor.

"Sometimes people come in when they're building the house, and they coordinate the countertops with woodwork and flooring before they do anything else," said Becky De-Pauw of Planet Granite, which specializes in slab granite countertops.

But which countertop to buy? Consumers' choices are proliferating quickly, making it difficult to figure out what best suits a person's needs and budget.

People used to have a choice of laminate or tile. Then came "solid surface" countertops, led by Corian. Then granite became popular and more affordable. Then came the stone-and-polymer mixes called "engineered stone" that are readily available at The Home Depot and Lowe's.

Now, companies such as Granite Transformations, which opened a franchise in Colorado Springs this year, have devised ways to graft an engineered stone covering onto your existing countertop so you don't even have to tear out the old one.

Some of the newest trends in countertops are the oldest materials: concrete, stainless steel, natural stone.

"This is a great time for the consumer," said Chris Geiger of Hart Stoneworks, specialists in soapstone and slate. "The consumer today has more choices than ever before. Everybody has a niche, but there's a lot out there, so they can decide what works best for them."

Choices are a blessing and a curse. With the help of local countertop experts and Consumer Reports, we've drawn up a list of advantages and disadvantages of popular countertop surfaces to help you make the right choice for your home. TOP IT OFF

1. ENGINEERED STONE (AND GRANITE RESURFACING)

Hot or not? Granite resurfacing is a hot new option. Engineered stone, such as Silestone and Zodiaq, is typically crushed stone mixed with polymer resins and pigments to make uniform sheets that may actually perform better than the real stuff. Engineered stone is fairly new and may end up the most popular countertop development of this decade. The possibilities are limitless -- from granite resurfacing to Caesar-Stone Quartz Surfaces' sleek slabs of red.

Maintenance: Easy. No sealing required. A lower gloss than granite hides greasy fingerprints and water rings.

Durability: High marks. Resists heat up to 500 degrees, so set that pot of boiling water right on it. You also can cut meats and veggies on it, although it can scratch if you drag the point of a knife on it. Resists stains effectively. Edges can be chipped.

Cost: Moderate. $65-$75 per square foot installed, but the resurfacing option also saves demolition costs in existing kitchens (price from Granite Transformations).

Etc.: Can be used on rounded countertops, unlike some slabs. Many color choices.

2. GRANITE SLAB

Hot or not? It's not as novel as 10 years ago, but granite carries prestige. Because it's real stone, granite will never be faddish, and the random designs in the stone add to its beauty.

Maintenance: Moderate. Must seal the granite at least once a year, so it requires a bit of elbow grease.

Durability: High marks. Impervious to heat (even a blowtorch, say the folks at Planet Granite). Use it as a cutting board or to roll out pastry dough. More susceptible to stains than engineered stone. It's one of the hardest substances on Earth, so it can take a lot of abuse.

Cost: Surprisingly moderate. Most stone can be had for $65-$75 per square foot installed, say the specialists at Planet Granite. But a rare stone can cost $200 per square foot.

Etc.: Easy to repair. Fewer color choices because it's natural.

3. SOLID SURFACE (SUCH AS CORIAN)

Hot or not? Not. Once the trendiest countertop around, solid surface is OK, but it's no longer the choice of interior fashionistas. It's functional nevertheless, and there are endless color choices to match the house.

Maintenance: Easy.

Durability: Pretty good. Resists heat, but don't set a scalding pot on it. Pull out the cutting board because the countertop cuts easily. Resists most stains. Tough to chip.

Cost: Moderate. $40-$85 per square feet, so it can cost as much as natural stone.

Etc.: No seams. Easy repairs for small nicks.

4. TILE

Hot or not? Perhaps the least hot of all surfaces. Granite Transformations advertises with the phrase "no more outdated tile or Formica." Planet Granite and Granite Transformations agreed that they replace more tile countertops than anything else. The problem is not the look as much as the grout.

Maintenance: High. Over time, sealing grout seems to wear on homeowners. The grout also gets discolored with time, and it harbors bacteria.

Durability: High marks. Resists heat from hot pots. You'll need to use a cutting board, but tile is tough enough to withstand your accidents. Resists most stains (tinted grout helps). Can be chipped fairly easily.