Granite Countertops Beats The Other Countertops By Interior Designer Elizabeth Howell-Jones Stone What is it about stone or granite, in particular that makes it the most sought after and applied material in homes today? Here in Grand Cayman more than 90% of kitchen and bathroom counters are specified in granite. Granite is so versatile that is appropriate in virtually any setting. Granite speaks of elegance, sophistication, luxury and durability. Granite because of the hundreds of colors and patterns to choose from, make it a unique and a beautiful substance that is never dated or trendy. Although somewhat expensive, it pays for itself by increasing your property value. Granite countertops are easy to clean, sanitary and will not harbour bacteria. Granite is resistant to scratching, you can cut on it, put hot pots on it without burning the surface and since it is cool to the touch it is perfect for rolling out pastry dough. Another good choice in this category is marble or slate but they lack some of the durability of granite. Solid Surface Material Made of acrylics and composite materials, solid surface products often mimics stone and comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns. Since it has solid colour all the way through, it can be sanded down to remove stains, scratches and burns. As with stone and wood it is possible to get decorative edging. Pricing is similar to stone. Lumicor, a new member of the family is made from clear resins and is blended with decorative materials such as metallics, botanicals and many other interesting accents. Plastic Laminate This is the least expensive countertop material. This thin, durable surface is mounted on a plywood base comes in many colors, textures and patterns. It chips and scratches so look for the best grade of plastic laminate which will hold up longer. It is relatively easy to install but has limited edge treatments. Easy clean up but will scorch if you rest a hot pot on the surface. Stainless Steel Stainless steel countertops require a lot of maintenance if you want your counters to be shiny and streak free. It is prone to dents and scratches and may be vulnerable to corrosion. It has a high tech modern look but can look quite sophisticated as well. It is favored in restaurants for its practical durability and capacity to take high heat from pots and pans straight from the cook top and is impervious to water. On the negative side it can be noisy to work on. Works well when mixed with other surface materials. GO to page 2 Also see Electric Radiant Floor heating