Frequent dinner-party guests know there are three topics to avoid if you want to have a pleasant evening: politics, religion and countertops. No matter what you prefer in a kitchen counter there will undoubtedly be someone who thinks you’re out of touch and can’t wait to explain why before they’ll pass you the rolls.
You’ve got to hand it to the people who market granite. It is still the gold standard for many people and if it’s part of a home’s features it will appear in a prominent sell-line in real estate ads. Although it’s beautiful and durable, other options have entered the marketplace that are just as tough and lower maintenance.
Like granite, quartz counters are scratch, heat, stain and crack resistant. Unlike granite they can be formed instead of cut. If your counter design requires a corner, your granite slab will need cutting and it’s next to impossible to match pieces of the natural stone in order to camouflage a seam.  Unless it’s done properly, it can look like improperly lined-up wallpaper and catch your attention when you walk into the room. Quartz counters are actually composed of 93% quartz with the remainder made of up aggregates, pigment and resin. Your quartz counter can be curved and cornered with consistency and no seams.
Another advantage to quartz is a uniform colour. When you choose granite you’re getting a natural piece of stone and you might end up with a colour variance, even within the same slab. Some people appreciate the random look of the stone and don’t mind that it’s not evenly shaded or features a sudden vein of gold or white. Granite also needs to be sealed once a year to keep the stone from absorbing bacteria. It’s a simple job and not a problem for most people. But if you want to just use it and forget about it, quartz is maintenance-free except for soap-and-water cleanups.
Caesarstone Quartz has just released six new shades for its Fall 2013 collection. If that sounds more like a fashion line than a material for countertops, you’re right. The warm, nature-inspired tones with names like Bianco Drift and Vanilla Noir align with the season’s hottest fashions straight from the runways. They also take their cue from home trends where deep greys, browns and sultry black are currently anchoring interior looks.  Sometimes you want a counter that adds colour to an otherwise monochromatic space. Other times you want it to blend in so it doesn’t detract from the architecture. There are enough colours in quartz to satisfy every need.
When budget is a major consideration, laminate is still the top choice. When we did a kitchen refresh, as opposed to a full renovation, we installed a granite-look laminate that fools more people than you might imagine. And it simply looks good for its own sake
Have you considered a paper counter? Companies with eco-friendliness at heart are creating flat surfaces, from mantles to tables to counters, made from compressed paper. They’re beautiful and promise to be moisture-proof. There’s Corian solid-surface, stainless steel and even concrete for those who are a little more adventurous. Slate, tile and wood (heavily protected with varnish or oil) are also in use, each with their own particular weak spot, sometimes literally. Slate isn’t as hard as granite or quartz. Tile requires some extra attention to any grouted areas and wood needs a lot of protection or it will hold bacteria and discolour from consistently getting wet.
Whether you’re a die-hard granite fan, crazy for quartz or think a compressed paper counter is the way to go, save yourself some grief and pass up the temptation to ask friends for their opinion. It will only lead to a debate that no amount of red wine can help you win.