Counter intuitive

The most popular kitchen surface may be granite, but other materials are drawing fans, too

Price: $65 and up per square foot

Concrete

Pro: Custom-stamped, tinted, textured; mixes can be plain or include recycled glass, metal and aggregate.

Con: Can scratch, etch; some require sealing every one to five years.

Price: $40 and up per square foot; IceStone, $75 and up. Besides locally fabricated concrete, products include the eco-chic IceStone, which is recycled glass bonded with concrete, and Granicrete.

Solid surface

Pro: Can include integrated sink; light damage can be polished.

Con: Scratches, stains; uniform look.

Price: $40 to $100 per square foot. Brands include Corian.

Laminate

Pro: Large color selection; stain-resistant; newest have texture and show a bit of depth.

Con: Seams visible; scorches, scratches can't be repaired.

Price: $12 to $22 per square foot. Brands include Formica and Wilsonart.

Andrea F. Siegel

counters by the numbers

A National Association of Home Builders survey in 2006 broke new countertop installation down this way:

Granite: 40 percent

Laminate: 36 percent

Solid surfaces: 13 percent

Ceramic tile: 4 percent

Marble or slate: 3 percent

Other: 4 percent