Material Choices:
Granite (natural stone, random patterns, higher heat resistance)
Quartz (Manmade, harder than granite, zero maintenance)
Solid surfaces (Corian family, repairable, integrated sink option, seamless back splash)
Laminate (20 yr. counters, good for lower budgets)
Porcelain (hard, zero maintenance, high heat resistance)
Tile (not popular due to grouting)
Concrete (long lead times, heavy, DO YOUR HOMEWORK before going there)
Butcher block (high maintenance, will take on a patina, 1 company has lifetime warranty)