Scripps-Howard News Service

Replacing your kitchen counters is a big project — and it can be an expensive one, too. Here’s a rundown from Home & Garden Television on 10 fashionable materials for kitchen countertops, plus details on their care, pros and cons, and cost.

1) Concrete. Concrete counters should be waxed every six months and sealed annually. Wine, lemon juice and ketchup can stain, so clean up spills immediately. Companies such as Sonoma Cast Stone have begun manufacturing stainless versions. Cost: $75-$200 per square foot, installed.

2) Glass. To create a beautiful breakfast bar, cantilever a piece of glass out of a central island. Cost: $85-$150 per square foot, installed.

3) Granite. If you want a matte look, consider absolute black granite in a honed finish. The darker the granite, the less porous and more stain-resistant it is. Granite countertops need to be sealed twice a year. Cost: From $100-$200 per linear foot, installed.

4) Laminate. Scratches tend to be more visible with dark colors. If you love a rich color, find a pattern that will help disguise scratches. The boomerang style looks great in a retro kitchen. Rinse after cleaning to avoid soap rings. Laminate is susceptible to heat and standing water. No sealing is required. Cost: $25-$60 per linear foot, installed.

5) Manufactured quartz. Use quartz instead of granite if you want a light-colored top. Lemon juice, red wine and vinegar will not stain quartz. No sealing is required. Cost: From $110-$250 per linear foot, installed.

6) Natural stone. Clean natural stone countertops with liquid detergent and water. Seal marble annually. Apply mineral oil to soapstone every other week for the first year to help the stone oxidize evenly; apply every other month thereafter. Jerusalem stone requires annual sealing. Cost: From $75-$200 per linear foot, installed.

7) Solid surface. Solid surface looks best in a contemporary kitchen, especially if you use a shade of white. Clean with liquid detergent and water. You can buff out stains with a scouring pad and abrasive cleanser. Cost: $90-$150 per linear foot, installed.

Stainless steel. Granite combined with steel gives your kitchen a fashionable look. Cost: $85-$150 per square foot, installed.

9) Tiles. Colorful ceramic tiles go well when used in Southwestern and Craftsman kitchens. Colored grouts don’t show dirt as easily and can be used to accentuate the color of the tile. Cost: $10-$90 per square foot, installed.

10) Wood. Spekva of Denmark (www.spekva.dk/?lang=uk) offers more than 20 types of beautiful, solid wood countertops made to specification. Cost: $30-$150 per square foot, installed.