Great article. I think the area where stone cannot be mimicked is when you touch it. Looks are deceiving but touching something either reveals "plastic" or stone. We are about to get new countertops and this is the area where we noticed the most difference. No foolin the hands....

About 10 years ago while attending the UofU I helped my neighbor who was in the school of Architecture make his own concrete countertop as a project, and install it and I have been in love with concrete ever since, the many looks colors and styles that concrete can be is awesome. It can be rustic, eclectic, cottage, contemorary or even traditional. I am also a fan of the concrete tile floor My wife and I live in a 1940's home that the kitchen was redone in 2001 by the previous owner. Their taste if it can be called taste is not mine. The custom cabinets were done in standard oak with shiny brass hardware. Solid light blue colored laminate countertops and the floor is covered in blue and gray swirl linolium flooring. It looks like a smurf barfed on my floor. I can't justify replacing the new cabinets so they will be painted and brushed nickle hardware added. An estimate for concrete countertop was $1,500 and an additional $1,500 for a concrete appron sink. I may try to do it myself but it won't look as good. It is still up in the air about what flooring to do.

Yeah, I was surprised and somewhat disappointed the article didnt mention concrete countertop, even though I see a picture of concrete countertop. Do you need to seal those, finish those? If you color them, is it safe for food?

Hi, I'm the author of the story, and the sidebar that goes with it DOEs talk about concrete, along with comments from about 40 readers on their experiences with granite, laminate, concrete, solid surface, etc. You need to click on "related content" above this story. Valerie Philips

I hope you like your Wilsonart, I'm not sure I like mine. We've had it seven years and it's cracked on us 4 times. Luckily it's under a 10 year warrenty so they've come out and fixed it. I have another crack that I've had for 2 years and I need to have it fixed again. IT was a new product when we got it so maybe they've fixed the problem. Just be careful with the counter over your dishwasher. For some reason if you run several loads in your dishwasher, one after the other, it might crack. Both my neighbor and I had this happen at Thanksgviving time the first year in our new homes. Other than that I've loved the color and the way it looks...when it's not cracked.

Avoid granite. It is rapidly going out of style. I work with top kitchen designers and they are using cesarstone. Pick up a current design magazine. You won't see much granite. It is no longer considered modern and cutting edge