Surface Materials

Categories: Uncategorized

MATERIALS	RELATIVE COST (price range per sq. ft.)	MAINTENANCE & REPAIR	PROS & CONS
Glass	Medium to high ($45-$85)	Easy to clean. Extremely durable. Can be scratched. Must be heat- and stain-resistant glass.	Flexible. Can fit any style, from contemporary to rustic. Wide array of colors available. Can be molded to fit needs. Extremely durable.
Manufactured Quartz	Medium ($35-$65)	Requires little maintenance. No sealant needed.	Durable, resistant to wear and tear, scratches, stains. Heat-impervious. Looks like natural stone. Available in a wide array of colors and patterns. Slab-size limitations may mean waste and seams.
Wood	Medium to high ($50-$250)	Surface can be sanded and resealed to repair scratches. Requires careful cleaning. Regular application of mineral oil keeps wood in good condition. Use a cutting board to protect.	Warm appearance. Will scratch; use cutting board. Will absorb stains and odors. Resistant to heat damage. Wide array of wood types and colors available.
Natural Stone Granite	High ($45-$75)	Not repairable. Use a cutting board. Resealing needed once or twice a year. Dark surfaces need frequent wipe-downs to avoid fingerprints.	Very stylish. Provides a smooth, cool surface for handling things like dough. Will not mar or scratch easily. Absorbs some oils and stains. Heat-resistant. Sold by the slab; may be some waste.
Limestone	Requires annual sealing.	Porous and soft. Best used in bath or low-traffic kitchen areas.
Marble	High ($50-$65)	Scratches somewhat easily. Not repairable.	Professional look. Cool surface for handling things like dough. Absorbs oils and some odors. Heat-impervious.
Soapstone	High ($50-$65)	Requires annual sealing.	Porous and soft. Best used in bath or low-traffic kitchen areas.
Metal Stainless Steel	High ($65-$100)	Easy to clean. Durable, but scratches easily. Scratches are not repairable. Requires frequent wipe-downs due to fingerprints. Brushed finish can minimize appearance of wear and tear.	Sleek, professional look. Cool surface. Does not chip or crack. Does not absorb stains, oils or odors. Can dent. Heat-impervious.
Copper	High ($89-$119)	Can be sealed to prevent tarnishing. Clean with copper cleaner for shiny finish. Can be cleaned with soap and water if patina is desired.	Warm, artistic look. Anitbacterial surface. Extremely durable.
Tile (ceramic, porcelain)	Low to medium ($10-$90)	Grout lines must be cleaned; grout can discolor. Tile can chip. Repairable.	Very stylish. Will not scratch. Does not absorb oils or odors. Heat-impervious. Mixing and matching provides opportunities for creativity.
Concrete	High ($60-$65)	Requires sealer to protect surface. Reseal every one or two years. Clean with nonabrasive cleaner.	Porous and soft. Can scratch, burn and stain. Wide array of color mixtures available. Made to order, eliminating slab size limitations.
Solid Surface	Low to medium ($35-$55)	Easy to repair surface scratches, stains and burns. Deeper damage can be professionally repaired. Little maintenance required.	Does not mar easily. Easy to repair and restore. Does not absorb oils or odors. Resistant to heat damage. Great flexibility; pliable material can be molded to almost any specification.
Laminate	Low ($20-$50)	Can scratch, stain, crack and chip. Not repairable.	Least expensive to install and replace. Vast color and pattern selection. Does not absorb oils or odors. Not heat-impervious.
Cast Polymer (cultured marble, other cultured stone)	Medium ($45-$65)	Resists mildew; stains can be cleared with nonabrasive cleaner.	Used mostly in baths. Can be molded into a variety of shapes. Resistant to breakage; more durable than natural marble and porcelain.