Counter tops

[John Dirks Jr]

I am creating a list for kitchen counter top materials. Can some of you help me by listing various materials used in the construction of counter tops? Please list both common and uncommon types.

[Scottpat]

Laminate

Tile

Natural stone

Concrete

Solid surface

Stainless steel

[StevenT]

Butcher block

[Les]

Glass

fiberglass

acrylic + filler

cultured "stone"

cement, as opposed to concrete

[Jim Katen]

I just saw a recycled bowling alley lane last week.

In the low rent district, I frequently see vinyl flooring used to cover countertops. It's often held in place with carpet tacks.

My very own house has a countertop made from oak t&g flooring. (Done by the previous owner when he was on a bender. Remind me to replace it someday.)

I've heard of, but not yet seen, bamboo countertops. Coming soon to a yuppie household near you.

Granite is pretty much ubiquitous in new construction around here.

I have a very wealthy customer who bought a beach house a couple of years ago. I noticed that the kitchen counters were plain, postformed laminate. I mentioned to the realtor that laminate countertops seemed inconsistent with this customer's taste. The realtor explained that the laminate was temporary while they waited for the custom-quarried, single-piece marble that they'd ordered from Italy. It seems that the shipping crate they had to build to contain this monster had cost more than the stone itself. So you might want to add marble to the list.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Richard Moore]

At the high end, I've seen copper once (pretty, but not sure how that's going to wear and age). At the other end of the spectrum, plain old painted plywood "decorated" with pot rings and scorch marks.

[hausdok]

I categorize them:

Plastic laminate ie. formica

Ceramic tile

Slate tile

Granite tile

Marble tile

Concrete

Stainless steel

Copper

Solid surface ie. Corian

Cast polymer

Wood

OT - OF!!!

M.

[randynavarro]

Is travertine marble or granite?

[John Dirks Jr]

I would not have thought of all of these on my own. I suppose I could have googled it. Its fun to get everybody slinging ideas around. Thats why I posted the question here.

[John Dirks Jr]

Originally posted by randynavarro

Is travertine marble or granite?

Randy, according to Wikipedia, niether,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travertine

[Scottpat]

Originally posted by randynavarro

Is travertine marble or granite?

Neither. I think it is in the limestone family.