Selecting Countertops By Greg Jordan    Having decided to remodel your kitchen you are now faced with selecting your countertops. As with any remodeling decision there are budget considerations and you want something durable and easy to clean. You like tile, your neighbors just replaced their countertops with Corian , and you have always loved the look of granite, so how do you choose?    Tile countertops have always been popular. With tile you have almost endless possibilities for colors and designs. Glass, ceramic, porcelain and natural stone are all readily available tile materials. When choosing tile there are a few things to consider. Slate, although beautiful, may not be the best selection if you want low maintenance, it is a porous material that will need to be sealed on a regular basis in order to resist stains. Glass, ceramic and porcelain tile are very good choices because they are non-porous and need less maintenance. Also keep in mind that grout lines must be sealed and re-sealed from time to time.    Corian® is a seamless molded plastic countertop that is heat, stain and scratch resistant. It is available in a multitude of colors, patterns and edge designs. One advantage of Corian® over tile or granite is the ability of the material to deflect the impact of glass or dishware. If you drop a glass on granite or tile, it will more than likely shatter. Corian®, on the other hand, is a softer surface that may spare that wine glass from breaking. Many people also like the seamless look of Corian®.    Granite is a wonderful countertop material. The cost of granite is normally dictated by how far the material is shipped (granite from Marble Falls will be less expensive than granite from Italy) and the edge design you choose. There are almost endless colors available with granite. Granite is heat and stain resistant and holds its beauty with very little maintenance. Granite is the choice for most custom homes being built today and has proven itself to be a durable and beautiful choice for countertops.    These are just a few of the more popular choices for countertops. As with everything we do in life the best way to proceed when making a decision of this magnitude is to research your choices and decide what will best suit you and your family's lifestyle. Greg Jordan is the owner of Omountain Homes and has been building & remodeling homes since 1986. He does projects throughout central Texas. Omountain Homes can be reached by calling 847-5507 or 557-4790 or you can e-mail them Close this window