Granite

Granite has been used as a building material since ancient times. It is one of the oldest and most durable building products available, and will far outlast the building in which it's installed. It has become the material of choice for today's luxury homes and offices because of its enduring beauty, and because no synthetic material can yet compare to its elegance and performance.

Solid Surface

Solid Surfaces were born in 1967 when Dupont introduced Corian, a synthetic blend of natural minerals and high-performance acrylic, as a practical, inexpensive alternative to granite. The formula was modified in 1968 and has remained unchanged to this day.

Corian was first presented nationally as a commercial bath product at the National Association of Home Builders Show in 1971.

Quartz Surfaces

For those who love the look of granite but are concerned about its drawbacks, quartz may be the answer. Unlike granite, which can be permanently stained by cooking oils and grease, or which can be etched by the acids in such common household products as hairspray and other toiletries, engineered stone is impervious to these hazards.

And while granite is subject to unpredictable variations in color or pattern between slabs, making matching of sections of...

Plastic Laminates

Plastic laminate is the most widely used surfacing material for builders and remodelers, due to its durability, wide range of colors and patterns, and its moderate price.

Plastic laminates are produced in hundreds of colors and patterns including metal, granite, marble, wood, and even leather.

Cultured stone

Cultured stone is one of the more popular materials used for bathroom counter-tops. It is both elegant and functional, and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Cultured marble, cultured onyx and cultured granite are basically made of polyester binding resins, pigment and pulverized crushed marble, calcium carbonate or hydrated aluminum (onyx). The mixture is poured into a mold then coated with a thin

Ceramic Tile/Butcher Block

Tile countertops are typically made with ceramic tile ranging in size from one square inch to as large as six square inches. There are also other shapes, such as octagonal, rectangular, etc. Tile countertops are popular in country-style kitchens and are durable materials. However, all tile has grout lines, which can cause problems. Grout soils very easily and will require frequent cleaning.

Concrete

Although concrete is a hardened mixture of water, cement, and sand or gravel, concrete countertops bear no resemblance to garage floors or roads. Concrete countertops are made of cement, lightweight aggregates, and a other additives such as fiber reinforcement, silica fume pozzolan, and acrylic. In order to prevent cracking, reinforcement such as structural steel, wire mesh, fiberglass, and/or fibers is used.Depending on the installation requirements, more than one type of reinforcement may be used.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, a classic look that never goes out of style, is the choice for countertops by professional cooks, restaurant and food service facilities. Above all other materials, it identifies the owner as someone who takes cooking seriously.

Super-strong, hygienic and resistant to water and heat, stainless steel has long been considered an ideal surface for food preparation. Today's kitchen designers are pairing this cool classic with other materials, such as warm wood and hand-painted

Zinc

Zinc is the 23rd most abundant element in the earth, and an important element in the proper function of the human body. It is a relatively soft, non-ferrous (non-magnetic), non-porous, pewter-like (bluish-white) metal.When polished, zinc resembles shiny pewter ... but when allowed to naturally oxidize (tarnish) a textured, semi-matte, blue-gray patina develops in about a year.

Glass

Designers attending both the 2002 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the 2003 International Builders Show, singled out glass as an emerging material for countertops. Glass countertops are fashioned from annealed (tempered) glass, generally between 1/2" - 1" thick. The edges are highly polished and for safety purposes, rounded. Glass countertops can be made in almost any shape. The amount of overhang or cantilever will be determined by the layout of your project. Stainless steel or brass brackets