Engineered quartz has become an option among homeowners seeking new, durable kitchen countertops. The material is composed of 95-percent natural crushed stone combined with five  percent polymer resins. The result is a naturally appearing surface that comes in a wide range of colors and can be exceptionally durable.

The composite is offered through most house and garden supply stores as well as from independent kitchen renovation retailers and manufacturers. Some of the more common brand names include Zodiaq, Cambria, and Silestone. But, as HGTV recommends, consumers should be aware that engineered quartz is heavier than other countertop materials and often requires produt specialists to handle installations.  Sales of the hearty material increased by 60 percent in 2004 alone, according to HGTV.

Beneficial Attributes of Engineered Quartz
The highly polished surface of an engineered quartz countertop is naturally resistant to scratches, spills, and stains from food acids. Quartz, manufacturers say, is among the strongest stones, with only topaz, sapphire, and diamonds having a tougher resistance. Some engineered quartz products come with a 10-year warranty.

The surface cleans with soap and water. Retailers say that the resistance to bacteria and mold of engineered quartz kitchen countertops can offset its higher materials and labor costs over laminate.  It cleans with soap and water.

On the negative side, engineered quartz can be harmed by extreme heat, so homeowners must develop the habit of using pads or trivets when laying pots or saucepans on its surface. Costs of installation more closely match those for granite.

Lastly, the material can be mounted securely with glue, making it a good candidate for use in backsplashes that complement your countertops.

It can be agonizing to spend good money on a vital kitchen component only to discover after a while that you hate looking at it. Countertops aren’t permanent, but you sure don’t want to put in a new one every few months because the color or texture has either gone out of fashion (do you care?) or, worse, become flat-out ugly.

Renovation stalwart Bob Villa has created a primer on countertop materials, evaluating pricing  materials by durable qualities and installation costs.  After looking over samples of stone, wood, marble, stainless steel, concrete, tile, laminate, or solid surfaces, you should have a good idea of your taste and budget.

Be a Countertop Fashionista
Countertop choices  can be as personal as those for apparel or jewelry. You’re going to have to live with your choice a while.  HGTV offers a countertop questionnaire to help you narrow down your selections based on personality and fashion preferences.  The attributes are for bold, conservative, or contemporary styles based on whether you see yourself as edgy, traditional, or balanced.

No matter where you roam across the blogosphere, home improvement enthusiasts claim that the number-one consideration when it comes to choosing countertops is your renovation budget. Even with tight financial constraints, you should be able to find a countertop in your materials, textures, and colors of choice.

Another consideration is why you need a new countertop in the first place. Are you looking for cost savings and durability–or are you in the market for a fashionable makeover?  Will the new countertop materials complement your existing colors or kitchen theme, or will you have to change cabinets and fixtures?

Plan ahead and take your time.

If you’re interested in improving the functionality, appearance, and value of your kitchen, you should consider having new countertops installed in your home. Modern countertops come in a delightful range of designs, colors, and materials that match or complement most kitchen schemes.

It’s the perfect time, if you’re remodeling your kitchen or refinishing your cabinets, to install new countertops at the same time that lend a custom look that completes the renovation with style and panache.

Many pre-designed or custom countertops are available in reasonably priced laminate and tile materials, and you can also choose granite, concrete, wood, quartz, bamboo, or resins that provide a unique, upscale theme. Let’s look at a few features in some materials to consider:

Tile:
Available in a great variety of colors, designs, and textures. Materials include ceramic, metal, stone, and glass. Tiles can crack, and must be sealed to prevent bacteria.

Laminate:
Inexpensive water-resistant countertop option with outstanding range of designs and colors. Easy to clean. Can crack or burn with misuse.

Wood:
Pricy option, but awesome in appearance, texture, and color. Can burn or stain easily. Can harbor bacteria and sustain water damage.

Granite:
Exceptional countertop durability, with extensive range in colors, designs, and textures. Can be expensive. Needs resealing and can be stained by cooking grease.

Concrete:
Relatively inexpensive materials but may be expensive to install as a countertop. Easily cleaned, with plenty of texture and color options, but can be discolored or crack and requires regular resealing.

Marble:
Can be an expensive countertop that stains easily. But has unmatched beauty, durability, and wipes clean easily. Needs routine resealing and can be discolored.

I recently upgraded my kitchen countertops with a very dark granite color, which nicely complemented my white cabinets. When it came time to decide on how to handle the edges of my new countertop, I was a bit overwhelmed with the various options that are out there. Since I had to stick to a budget (which is becoming more commonplace these days!), I decided that I had two edging options that made sense financially and aesthetically: bull nose or straight.

The bull nose design is one of the most popular edgings for granite countertops. It gives the edge of your countertop a smooth, rounded finish. Bull nose edges work well for classic kitchens as well as for modern kitchens. However, “bullnosing” adds cost to your countertops because of the labor that goes into constructing the bull nose.

As for the straight edge finish, it is definitely making a come back. Think of this as the “square” finish to the bull nose’s rounded finish. Many people are opting for the “edgier” look with granite countertops because it blends in well with more modern kitchens. Additionally, there is no added cost to for a straight edge finish as opposed to the 10-20% premium that you need to pay for bull nose.

So which one did I go with? I went with the bull nose because the look complemented the rest of my kitchen and I felt that it made the kitchen look richer. Before making your own choice, I would recommend looking at samples of both styles before choosing.