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Contemplating a renovation of the kitchen in her Leaside home, Patsy Lam is thinking countertops.

With five children and a husband, Ms. Lam puts a premium on the practical. "I'm busy, and I just need to get things done," she says. "For me, it's all about function."

The 39-year-old homeowner certainly doesn't lack for choices — in terms of material, look, functionality or price. Kitchen countertop materials include everything from solid and composite stone to hardwood to old favourites such as solid-surface and plastic laminate.

Then there are some fairly recent entries, such as concrete and stainless steel. And with today's emphasis on the environment, paper and recycled glass counters have emerged.

Today's homeowner doesn't necessarily have to stick to just one type of surface in the cooking area, either. As Nathalie Thorel, a Toronto-based interior designer with IntraMuros Design and Space Planning, points out, with the variety of countertop materials available, it's becoming "pretty common to mix materials in a kitchen. … If [there is] a lot of stainless steel, some wood … will soften the appearance."

Engineered stone

This type of counter — made from particles of granite, marble or other stone mixed with resin and pigments — provides a uniform surface look, is as durable as the real thing, and comes in a wider range of colours.

It's also not as porous as natural stone and therefore doesn't require sealing.

Engineered quartz is the latest must-have kitchen countertop, and it's popularity is not surprising: It has a glorious shine and a uniform surface look. And the product, which can be very expensive, has a lot going for it in the functionality department as well.

"Quartz is very strong and durable," Ms. Thorel says. "It resists scratches and doesn't need a special finish.

It is also good with heat, although like any product, you do have to take … normal precautions and not put something right off the stove on the counter.

"My clients like it because it is clean and modern looking," she adds.

Natural stone

Granite, marble and slate counters are elegant and durable but tend to be at the higher end of the price scale. They stand up well to heat, don't chip, and their colours are what you find in nature.

Granite is more porous than engineered stone products, and has to be sealed once or twice a year. Slate, on the other hand, doesn't stain easily. (While they both make beautiful counters, marble and limestone are often not recommended for kitchens as they're more porous than the others.)

With its mirror-like finish, granite has been considered the gold standard in kitchen countertops for some time and is not in much danger of being knocked off its pedestal.

"Granite is a beautiful product — not manufactured, and that does mean it is considered environmentally friendly, too, when it comes from a local source," designer Eric Tomas points out.

Its surface — full of jags of colour and fissures — doesn't have the uniform look of a engineered stone counter.

But advocates of the natural stone consider these features part of its beauty.

"I would consider granite a bit more traditional and not so modern," Ms. Thorel says. "The choice depends on the look you are trying to achieve."

Solid-surface

These countertops are made with a mineral compound, polyester and/or acrylic resin.

They come in solid sheets, are stain resistant, seamless, and their colours won't fade. They can be scratched and are not very heat-resistant, but chips and dents can be easily repaired. The most common brand name is Corian. They can be very expensive.

Tile

Counters made of ceramic, porcelain, natural stone or mosaic tile can add warmth to a kitchen.

Generally cheaper than natural stone, they are resistant to heat and moisture, and are available in a range of colours, textures and patterns.

On the down side, they can crack or break, and the grout around them can stain and must be sealed regularly.

Stainless steel

This would seem to be an unlikely material for a kitchen counter. Couldn't it be scratched or dented? The short answer is yes, but for aficionados, this doesn't seem to matter.

They point out that it stands up well to heat, and provides a seamless look.

"Some people like an entire kitchen of stainless, and this type of look will suit a loft or a space that is somewhat industrial," Ms. Thorel explains.

Concrete

This material also may be a surprising one for kitchen countertops. Proponents point to its idiosyncratic look and its performance, and it also gets a nod as being environmentally friendly.

Carolyn Moss, a principal with Moss Sund Inc., a Toronto-based architecture and design firm that specializes in sustainable building, cites a company called Concrete Elegance that is "committed to producing concrete with high recycled content."

These countertops are heat and chip resistant, and come in a wide variety of colours and finishes. But being porous, the material has to be sealed with wax. They also can be expensive.

For more information, go to www.concreteelegance.ca.

Paper

Relatively new are countertops made of paper-based fibre, resin, a binder and pigment. Heat and pressure give it its hardness and strength. (Recycled paper or cardboard is sometimes used, but not always.)

These "paper" countertops are durable, scratch resistant to a point, and heat resistant to about 175 degrees.

For more information, see www.paperstoneproducts.com or www.richlite.com.

Plastic laminate

The granddaddy of countertop materials is plastic laminate, which comes in a wide range of colours and finishes, and is often the least expensive option. It is made of many layers of kraft paper saturated in resin and pressed at a high temperature.

Just about any look — from sand to marble to granite — can be replicated in the laminate surface.

This type of countertop has other advantages besides cost, says Joe Savarino of Scarborough Countertops & Design. For one thing, a homeowner can get one installed very quickly — it can even be cash and carry in some cases.

But plastic laminate can be easily scratched, sometimes chips, and heat can cause its seams to pull apart.

Hardwood

These countertops are usually made of pieces of maple, yellow birch or white oak glued together for strength. They are prone to water damage and need to be sealed periodically, but when damaged, they can be sanded and reoiled. While they cost more than laminate products, they add warmth to a decor.

"Wood should be FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. Substrates should be, too, or be formaldehyde free," Mr. Tomas points out, but adds: "Products that are reclaimed or can be recycled or have an extremely long life are examples of good choices."

Recycled glass

A fairly new product, it's made from recycled glass and concrete. These counters are non-porous, durable and heat-resistant, and usually can be custom-coloured. For more information, go to www.icestone.biz/new/.

Ms. Lamm, meanwhile, is leaning toward a plastic laminate counter.

"I've had my present one for six years and I have no complaints," she says.

"I've seen Corian and granite in my friends' homes and they look awesome, but I am not that concerned with the aesthetics. I want to focus on function."

Words of warning

When it comes to damaging kitchen countertops, all bets are off.

Some materials are relatively better than others when it comes to chipping and denting, as well as resistance to stains, heat and moisture. (And some surfaces are easier to repair than others when damaged.) But any surface needs to be treated with respect — by using cutting boards and trivets, and avoiding harsh cleansers and substances that can leave a stain.

You cannot cut directly on a countertop, or put pots on it that are right off the burner.

Special to The Globe and Mail