The countertops in your kitchen can make a statement and become an integral part of your kitchen’s style. When choosing a material for your countertops; cost, appearance and functionality must be taken into consideration. Some options are as inexpensive as $10 per square foot, others as high as $100 or more per square foot. What you choose heavily depends on your budget and your desired end result. Because kitchens are so commonly considered the gathering place of a home and are a huge selling point for many buyers, your choice should also take into account the added value to your home. So, let’s take a look at the different materials available and their benefits and differences:

Laminates are the least expensive, averaging $10-$40 per square foot. They're relatively easy to install, but they don't hold up well against scratching, gouging and scorching. They also tend to look old fairly quickly, though occasional replacement may be a viable option, considering the low cost.

Today laminates comes in a plethora of textures and colors and offer good stain resistance and easy cleaning. Installed over plywood, they can be replaced in a weekend for the DIY homeowner or can be installed in a day by a professional contractor. TIP: It's sometimes easier to replace the entire plywood plank versus scraping glue off the existing plywood.

Ceramic tile is another option with modest cost. Some tiles are as low as a few dollars per square foot, though prices can reach as high as $50 per tile. They're easy to install in new kitchens, but fairly difficult to replace or repair. Once glued down replacing them requires gouging out the grout and prying up the old tile, which can be a tedious and time intensive task. TIP: When replacing damaged tiles, take special care and patience to avoid damaging surrounding tiles.

Grout can also become a problem with ceramic tiles, since the rough surface and the porous nature of the grout can make cleaning a difficult chore.

Benefits to ceramic tile are long-life, heat resistant, scratch resistant, stain resistant and the huge variety of colors and designs available.

Styled concrete is one of the newer options for kitchen countertops, and it can often be installed for as little as $50 per square foot. It's almost impossible to scorch and can be colored to match almost any color scheme.

Keep in mind, concrete is heavy and requires extensive drying time before it can be used. It needs to be properly sealed, usually more than once. Installation is generally best left to experienced professionals who specialize in decorative concrete.

Stainless steel is also coming into vogue again. Costing around $50-$65 per square foot, it's in the middle of the pack in terms of price. It does show scratches easily, though some pre-roughened styles help to hide scratching. It's easy to clean, but the surface can become splotchy over time. TIP: Stainless steel makes a big style statement, so if considering stainless steel for your kitchen countertops, ensure it fits your style and kitchen design.

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