Helpful Sites Granite Counters Granite Gallery Home Upgrades Flooring Info Page Polished Conrete            Quartz Counterops: SileStone Zodiaq Cambria Technistone CeasarStone Legacy    Solid Surface Countertops: Corian Formica WilsonArt LG HI_MACS    Other Types of Countertops Paper Countertops Wood Countertops Bamboo Countertops Concrete Countertops Granite Blue Stone Modern Contemporary Kitchens Quartz Countertops, Solid Surface Countertops, Granite Countertops, Concrete Countertops, Dovanian Stone Countertops Countertop Choices Latest News Tate Ornimental Glass Countertops Corinthian 2000 Kitchen Remodeling Cambia Countertops IceStone Counterops Nevamar Countertops Custom Laminates Recycled Glass Countertops Durable Countertops Unique Countertops Countertop Choices Concrete Countertop Conference Atlanta Street of Dreams Photos Paper Countertops from Richlite CaesarStone Colors Zodiaq Colors EOS Hudson Samsung Contemporary Kitchen Bamboo Countertops Today there are more choices for countertop materials than ever before and trying to select the countertop for your home can depend on your budget, your decor, the makeup of your family and other personal considerations. We will provide you information on many countertop materials, and many brands.  We will try give you information about new products, the old standby's and some materials you may not have considered for your countertops.  Countertop materials now include concrete, wood, synthetic stone, natural stone like granite, Devonian Blue Stone, Marble and other materials. See Latest Kitchen Countertop News What Is The Difference Between Quartz Countertops  And Solid Surface ?  Solid Surface Countertops are made from acrylic or plastic material which is colored by resins.  An example of solid surface is Corian.  Quartz Countertops or Engineered Stone is a nonporous material, made from a mixture of 93% quartz and 7% resin binders and pigments. Quartz countertops look more like granite and are almost as expensive. An example of quartz countertops is Zodiaq. Countertop Material Quick Comparison Chart   Quartz Laminate Solid Surface Granite Concrete Beauty very good fair good excellent very good Scratch Resistance excellent fair very good excellent good Stain Resistance excellent fair good very good fair Heat Resistance excellent fair fair excellent fair Mildew Resistance excellent fair excellent very good very good Burn Resistance excellent fair fair excellent good Easily Repairable very good good very good good fair Seamless very good fair excellent very good fair Non-porousless excellent good excellent good fair Average Warranty 10 years 1 year 10 years 1 year 1 year * Ratings.. excellent is best, followed by very good, good, fair   Quartz Countertops For those who love the look of granite countertops but are concerned about its drawbacks, quartz may be the answer. Unlike granite, which can be permanently stained by cooking oils and grease, or which can be etched by the acids in such common household products as hairspray and other toiletries, engineered stone is impervious to these hazards. Quartz countertops inclue Dupont Zodiaq, Cambria, Silestone, Technistone, CaesarStone, Legacy and others. Click photo for larger view. More Quartz Countertops Information.   Solid Surface Countertops Solid Surface countertops were born in the late 1960's when Dupont introduced Corian, a synthetic blend of natural minerals and high-performance acrylic, as a practical, inexpensive alternative to granite. Solid Surface resist attack by acids, alkalis and water; they also will resist stains as well as the growth of bacteria, fungus, mold and mildew. Solid Surface Countertops include Dupont Corian, LG HiMacs, Wilsonart and others.  Click photo for larger view. More Solid Surface Countertops Information.   Granite Countertops Granite's rich colors, unique patterns and strength make it an ideal choice for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, or exterior cladding. Granite countertops are beautiful, durable, and low maintenance. Each stone has its own unique mineral make up that creates the colors and structure, giving your countertops a truly custom appearance. Granite countertops offer deep colors and that elusive, one-of-a -kind beauty created only in nature. We have created a web site just for granite countertops. Visit the Granite Info Page for Granite Countertops Information. More Granite Countertops Information.   John Boos Wood Countertops & Butcher Block Countertops Butcher block countertops are a perfect melding of beauty and function. Made from hard rock maple or Appalachian red oak, these natural solid-surface tops impart a warm friendly glow to any kitchen. Gourmet cooks and  chefs prefer butcher block maple for all slicing, dicing, and chopping duties. Bakers choose it for preparation and rolling dough. No other countertop surface offers the functional advantages of butcher block, and they are priced far below other solid-surface tops. More John Boos Wood Countertops Information Paper Countertops Richlite® is made primarily of paper purchased from managed forests throughout North America. The paper is treated with resin then pressed and baked to create solid sheets. Click here to find out more about the paper used in making Richlite®. The same material has been used for decades by the aerospace industry for tooling, the marine industry for fiberglass reinforcement and the action sports industry for outdoor skate ramp surfaces. It's beautiful, durable and will last for years. More Richlite Paper Countertops Information Concrete Countertops Cast concrete countertops have become the favorite of designers and architects because concrete can give warmth and color depth not available in granite, marble or Corian. Hand finishing can give them a finish as smooth as glass with a patina that improves over the years.  Concrete is an exciting alternative to the more common marble and granite surfaces. Concrete is a stone like material that has a natural warmth, it adds a richness to both modern and traditional interior environments. More Concrete Countertops Information   Devonian Bluestone Countertops Glacier Blue Devonian Sandstone is a sedimentary rock formed during the Devonian Period.  This striking and workable building stone evolved during 410 million years of glacial pressures and natural mountain-forming events. It's largely made up of silica with a quartzite cement, which give the material incredible strength and make it an excellent choice for countertops.  More Devonian Bluestone Countertops Information   Hardwood Floors, Carpet, Vinyl, Tile Flooring Thinking about a new hardwood floor or carpeting for your home or office.  Today there are more choices for floor materials than ever before and trying to select the right flooring for your home can depend on your budget, your decor, the makeup of your family and other personal considerations. The Flooring Info Page will provide you information on many types of flooring materials, including hardwood floors, laminate floors, vinyl tile and resilient flooring, ceramic tile, and carpet. They also give you information you need to be more "flooring knowledgeable" when you talk to a flooring contractor, or a flooring supplier for a do-it-yourself project. More Hardwod Flooring, Carpet, Vinyl Flooring Information. Home Upgrades Blog More and more people are investing in there homes with home improvement upgrades.  Visit the Home Upgrades Blog for great ideas about home upgrades. Not only information about granite countertops, but outdoor kitchens, hardwood flooring, carpeting, ceramic tile, fountains, landscape lighting, gardening and more.  Links to other granite related sites and home improvement ideas.   Visit the Home Upgrades Blog. Atlanta Homes Show Street OF Dreams Home Show in Atlanta 2007 Get information and see granite countertop photos from the Atlanta Street of Dreams 2007. Click here for more information on Quartz Countertops, Solid Surface Countertops, Silestone, Corian, LG Hi-MACS, Quartz kitchen countertops, vanities, custom quartz countertops, styles of quartz, countertop gallery, Technistone, engineered stone, Kitchen Bath industry, Granite Countertops, solid surface products,  Corian, natural stone products, Stone Care products, SSI, Home Improvement, kitchen remodeling, commercial and residential,Elberton, Georgia