We abuse them - We clutter them - We sometimes sit on them … sometimes.

Think of countertops as little workbenches of life. They are probably one of the most necessary items in a kitchen or bathroom - and if you don’t have an adequate amount of them, you’ll really feel it.

Standard kitchen countertops run 24″ deep and 36″ from the floor.

Bathroom counters are typically shorter. They tend to run 18″ deep and 30″ from the floor.

Some countertops have backsplashes but some do not. All countertops are made with (or, are supposed to be made with) durable, long-lasting materials.

Most are made of a combination of plywood, particle board, mastic, glue, mortar and grout. This combination of materials not only provides durability, but they also keep the countertops protected from water and stains.

The most common surfaces are ceramic tile, wood, high-pressure laminate, solid surfacing and natural stone. These surfaces range very wide in price.

Stone and Granite countertops are all the rave right now. They’re very sexy and sleek. But they’re also very pricey. The going rate around my neck of the woods STARTS at about $39 /ft. I’m not sure how up to par you are on countertop pricing - But that’s a good 3 times the price of a “regular” countertop.

Another differential to consider is edging. Depending upon the materials used to make your countertops, you may have several options to choose from.

This entry excerpted from: http://totalhomeblog.com/blog/a-quick-countertop-411/