The right countertops can make a big difference in your kitchen. That’s because they affect both the appearance and functionality of your kitchen. That said, note that there are various materials from which to choose, including concrete solid surface countertops, arctic white granite countertops, blue solid surface countertops, and even those of the quartz countertop variety.

The best one for your home depends on details like the surface area you want, the theme and layout of your kitchen, and your budget. Once you’re comfortable with all of these, the next thing to do is to find the right person to do the installation for you. Note that the best team or person is one with ample experience handling and installing the countertop that you decide on.

They should also have the necessary tools and equipment to be sure that they do a great job. Make sure that you know what you want right from the start so that it’s easier for you to get the right end result. This way, you’ll also be able to communicate better with the professional you choose to work with. If, for example, you want a Brooklyn quartz countertop, first make sure that you can get it and that you’re okay with all of its aspects so that you don’t change your mind once the project begins.

If you are thinking about new countertops, you may already know what a big difference they can make in this important room. They set the tone for the decor, and they will get heavy use every day. It’s a good idea to get a nice-looking countertop that is also very durable. Before you get a countertop installation service for the job, you need to choose the material your countertops will be made from.

If you are interested in basic kitchen countertops, there are many types that can be considered basic countertops. Formica is one of the bargain countertops that you can choose from. The best affordable countertop material may be either concrete or tile. Both of these types are durable and can look great if you choose well. Concrete can be polished and stained so that it looks like a stone countertop or even like wood.

If you are looking for higher-end materials, you can’t go wrong with marble. It has an unmistakable style and will look great for decades. Granite is another choice, and it tends to be expensive as well. A quartz countertop is also a great material for countertops, as is Corian. All of these choices are great ways to redo a kitchen.

When it comes to home modeling, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house. More than 10 million kitchens are remodeled each year and one in 10 households does an annual kitchen remodel.

There are a great many things you can do to pull off the perfect kitchen remodel: you can install new flooring, you can put in new cabinets or you can even add new appliances. Another important part of a remodel is your kitchen countertops.

These days you can pick from quartz countertops, granite countertops and marble countertops among other materials when you’re shopping at local kitchen design stores. If you’re not sure which countertops would work best for your kitchen remodeling project, here’s a guide to help you find the perfect match:

Granite

For many years, granite countertops have been associated with elegance when you’re talking about a kitchen. For many shoppers at kitchen design stores, granite has been the material of choice for luxury and modest kitchens alike. Granite has traditionally been an expensive material, but the price has come down over the years.

Pros of granite: durability, almost maintenance-free, variety (thousands of colors are available), stands up well against heat.

Cons of granite: cost, not DIY-friendly, can crack under stress.

Maple

Marble is another popular choice in kitchen design stores and is lauded for its uniqueness. No two sheets of marble are the same, so your marble countertop will truly be different. Cost can be a factor with marble and folks doing remodeling typically don’t outfit a whole kitchen in marble. Marble can also be subject to scratching, even with sealers overtop of it.

Pros of marble: water and heat proof, adds value, unique

Cons: Cost, easily scratched, not DIY-friendly

Quartz

You may not know it, but quartz is actually manufactured stone. It contains quartz particles and other minerals that are shaped and then bound with resin. Many companies have created their own versions of quartz as an alternative to granite and marble. Many home remodelers have chosen quartz from kitchen design stores because it resists staining and scratching, requires no sealing and is available in a wide variety of colors.

Pros of quartz: easily maintained, can be installed DIY, natural appearance, stands up better to scratches and stains

Cons of quartz: cost, installed countertops are very heavy

Tile

Another choice for countertops is ceramic tile, which is less expensive than some of the options mentioned above and is easy to clean. If you’re looking for DIY installation of countertops, ceramic tile is the way to go. If you’re looking at tile in kitchen design stores, more than likely you’re going to notice how many design options there are available.

Pros of tile: easy to clean, immune to heat, variety of designs and colors, easy DIY installation

Cons of tile: It can be brittle and crack easily, custom tiles can be costly, stains and grout lines can be difficult to clean

Laminate

Laminate countertops are plastic-coated synthetic countertops that have an easily cleaned, smooth surface. One advantage to them is that they can be custom-made or ordered in per-formed segments. In some circles, laminates are considered a poorer alternative to more “elegant” materials, but they have recently become a popular option for kitchen remodels.

Pros of laminate: wide variety, DIY installation, easily maintained, less expensive than other options

Cons of laminate: may not positively affect your ROI, visible seams, can be chipped or scratched with almost no way to repair it

Wood

Wood countertops can give your kitchen a warm look and you can pick from a wide variety of hardwoods such as oak and maple in a variety of finishes and colors.

Pros of wood: easy to clean, long lasting (with proper care), adds a country look to the kitchen

Cons of wood: cost, surfaces can be easily scratched, can be damaged by stains or water, bacteria can develop if it’s not maintained

Regardless of what type of countertop you ultimately choose for your kitchen remodel, take time to do a little research to find the best option for your kitchen. If you’re spending money on a total remodel, you want to make sure you’ve got material that you’re comfortable with and that you want to install in your kitchen.