Is a kitchen remodel in your future?  Well, before you tackle that crucial room, here are a few tips on some of the most popular countertops.  

Granite: Timeless, durable and beautiful!  It won't date itself like some of the others.  The darker the granite, the less porous and more stain resistant it is.  You will need to seal it twice a year and clean up is a breeze with warm water and liquid detergent.

Manufactured Quartz:  Highly durable, low maintenance, easy to clean, and stain and scratch resistant, what else could you ask for?  Composed of quartz blended with a resin binder, it imitates the look of granite, marble, or limestone but still appeals to people who want a more even, balanced pattern.  It's warmer to the touch than granite and not as busy.  Clean with warm water and a non-abrasive cleanser.  No sealing required.

Concrete:  Both modern and rustic, concrete works well with most architectural styles.  If you want a natural, organic look and don't care for the polished hue of granite, this is your alternative.  Don't pour it yourself though, concrete tops have meshing and metal in them and are installed after they are fabricated.  You can change the look of concrete by adding glass tiles, dyeing it, stamping it, etc.   You will need to wax the concrete every 6 months and seal it annually.  It can stain so clean up spills immediately. 

Glass:  Glass is known for its attention-grabbing translucent beauty, and is as durable as most other counter tops.  Because of its distinctive look, I suggest using it as an accent countertop rather than throughout the kitchen.  But recycled glass is an eco-friendly option.  For maintenance, clean with window cleaner.

Natural Stone:  Soapstone and marble are just a couple of choices.  Soapstone won't crack like others stones, but it will dent if hit with something hard.  Some like the dents because it gives the room a used, stressed look and comes in many colors for a warm sentiment.  Although bakers love marble it is soft, stains easily and chips so use it in moderation.  Try using it on an island countertop instead of the entire kitchen.  Clean stones with a liquid detergent and water.  Seal marble annually but apply a mineral oil on Soapstone every other week for the first year to help the stone oxidize evenly.  Apply every other month thereafter.

Stainless Steel:  This counter has been around for years.  The reason why is it can take abuse from just about any kitchen utensil and the scratches and marks instill a lived-in finish  This countertop works well in both traditional and contemporary kitchens making it a popular choice.  To maintain it, use a cleaner with a high alcohol content that dries quickly.  To buff scratches, use a scouring pad and follow the grain of the metal.

Laminate:  Laminate has come a long way and is one of the best options for the budget minded.  With some attractive styles out there now, choices are made easy AND you can install it yourself!  Laminates tend to show scratches but if you love rich color, you can find a pattern that hides the scratches.  If you want a retro kitchen, this is for you!  Laminate is susceptible to heat and standing water but no sealing is required.  All you need to do is rinse after cleaning to avoid soap rings. 

These helpful tips provided by:  www.interiormotiv.com