Your kitchen is the heart of the home and how it performs and how it  looks are the most important factors to most families.  The countertop  material you choose will be based on your budget, your style preference  and how durable it is for your lifestyle. When considering countertop  materials do your research ahead of time. While some are more beautiful  than others, some have to be maintained to keep their beauty and  durability. Read on to see how to choose the perfect countertop for your  family and lifestyle.

- Assess your family and lifestyle: For busy families  on the go the wear and tear of everyday life can take a beating on  countertop surfaces. If your family only uses the kitchen occasionally  higher end granite may be perfect.  While if you are constantly cooking,  kids are using the countertop for science projects, and you don’t want  to keep up with maintenance a plastic laminate low cost countertop may  be a better choice.
- Durability & Price: When choosing a countertop  you should consider the durability before the price.  The reason being,  just because you can afford it, doesn’t mean it will hold up in your  home. Here are tips for durability:
o   Plastic Laminate: Durable for moderate wear,  comes in a multitude of colors, low end in price, can chip at the edges  and shouldn’t be cut directly on.
o   Solid Surface: Man made material with color  throughout, scratches easily but can be buffed or polished out by  professional. Mid range price and has a wide range of colors.
o   Butcher Block: Wood product, best used for  islands away from water sources/sinks. Medium durability – can absorb  stains because wood is porous. Color is chosen by different wood stains,  moderate to high in price. 
o   Tile: Durable if taken care of properly.  Porcelain tiles can chip, crack or break if items are dropped on the  counter.  Grouting can also chip and discolor. Price is based on how  expensive the individual tiles are. Can get expensive with hand painted  and imported tile.
o   Granite: Very durable because it is stone. Since it’s porous will need to be sealed periodically. Granite is in the high price bracket.
o   Concrete: Very durable although it is possible  to crack. It can be molded into shapes and stained different colors.  It  too, should be sealed and is in the med range price bracket.
Heat resistance: One of the considerations when  choosing a countertop material is the heat resistance when you are  cooking.  You shouldn’t put hot pans directly on countertops.  Using a  trivet between the pan and the countertop surface is a good idea.   Natural stone materials and concrete can endure heat better than plastic  laminate that can leave a scorch mark. Ceramic tile countertops can  take heat, but may crack due to rapid temperature changes.  To be  certain, do not place heated pans on countertops, stainless steel is one  of the few countertops that can endure heat. 
Choosing a kitchen countertop should be considered thoroughly.  Lifestyle, budget and durability are the main determining factors. Use  these tips to help guide you and then check with local countertop  suppliers and get their opinion on the different materials.  New  materials and countertop varieties emerge on the market every day.  You  never know, the countertop for your family is probably waiting for you  to discover it! 
source : freshome