While countertop options for a home builder or renovator are varied and attractive, the final choice depends on the location and intended use. In a kitchen or bathroom, where countertops are most often found, a waterproof or moisture-resistant finish is necessary to prevent surface degradation or staining. Ceramics or laminates are two open paths to do it yourself guys with some experience. Because tile surfaces have permeable grout lines, they must rest on a water-resistant artificial substrate; One type, made of concrete and fiberglass, is easy to use and widely available. Since laminate surfaces are waterproof, they can and usually are installed over plywood, MDF, or particle board.
Granite is an attractive countertop option. It is found more often in kitchens than bathrooms. It is an area of work best left to professional tradesmen unless one is a very experienced builder. Requires special tools for shaping and cutting. It is usually a job of at least two men to move and install a granite countertop. There is a good variety of man-made countertop materials, mostly composed of rock or marble dust and resin. These surfaces are durable, easy to maintain and available in a variety of colors.
Alternative countertop options for kitchens would be a wood surface such as butcher block. It can be understood by maple strips laminated side by side. Some of these are a thick slab which, when treated with a food grade penetrating oil finish, provides a cutting surface that is both durable and attractive. Germ-free maintenance is easy to achieve with any number of today’s cleaners.