Premium decorative surfaces. These three little words are bringing a renewed excitement to the countertop industry. And defining "premium decorative surfaces" is bringing a clear, concise vision to the everyday countertop consumer.

OK, so what the heck are premium decorative surfaces?

When you move beyond the realm of laminate countertops, you have entered into the world of premium decorative surfaces. From quartz to granite, from solid surface to soapstone, these "higher end" surfaces are what consumers look for when they want to bring a definitive and "upgraded" style to their kitchen and bath countertop.

Not only is the countertop often the focal point of any kitchen or bathroom, but it is also the most highly used surface in the entire household. It is understandable, then, that there has been a strong consumer focus on searching for the "perfect" countertop material.

However, once the search for the perfect surface begins, so also begins the phenomenon known as "consumer confusion." Consumers now, more than ever, are confused about all of their options and are confused about the overwhelming amount of information that is available to them.

Consumer confusion: How it all began

Let's take a trip back in time to the year 2000. Laminate was essentially the only available material in terms of countertop surfaces. With the limited scope of options to countertop consumers, certainly there had to be a surface that would bring a renewed interest to this seemingly single-product industry.

Enter granite. Heavily marketed as "the next best thing," consumers became enthralled with the elegance that came with a hard and shiny stone countertop. And so the industry trends began to shift dramatically towards granite. From homes to apartments, restaurants to offices, this relatively unknown material just a few years prior had become an industry giant in the world of residential and commercial design.

With its growing hold on the countertop market share, granite became the go-to material for anyone in search of a premium countertop.

But here is what could not be predicted: Although many consumers wanted to keep up with the growing trend of purchasing granite for their homes, other consumers wanted to differentiate and find a countertop material that better fit their lifestyle. And in this moment, the robotic granite buyer began to disappear and the confused consumer was born.

With so many options, how can I choose?

The answer to this question has become extremely convoluted. The premium decorative surfaces category can easily encompass a confusing number of options. And with all these options available, which information can you trust? Who can you trust to provide you with the right information?

And, most importantly, how can you realize that choosing the right countertop does not begin with reading the latest "home trends" magazine or watching a design show on TV? It begins with finding the perfect countertop material for your lifestyle.

This may seem like a simple enough idea, but let us take a look at some of the available countertop surfaces in the market today:

• Granite
• Quartz
• Solid surface
• Limestone
• Soapstone
• Glass
• Stainless steel
• Tile
• Marble
• Exotic wood
• Concrete
• Recycled materials

While some of these surfaces are perfectly suited for specific applications, not all surfaces are perfect for your home. Some countertop materials are natural and beautiful but can be high maintenance, while others may be more economical but don't fit your lifestyle needs.

This, in conjunction with the elements of an unstable economy, means that there is a growing need to be certain you are sinking your money into the right premium decorative surface.

Putting Two and Two Together

We know that lifestyle considerations are important when choosing a countertop surface. We know that value is an important factor in choosing the right countertop surface. So what next?

Amongst the plethora of available surfaces, there is a clear delineation between two — yes, only two — varieties of premium decorative surfaces: those that are hard and shiny and those that are seamless/integrated.

Hard and Shiny Surfaces

Granite, Quartz, Marble, Tile

• Natural stone surfaces: Many surfaces that fall into the “hard and shiny” category can offer the look of a natural stone surface.
• High reflectivity: Though some may enjoy the glossy appearance of a stone surface, it is most certainly a factor to consider — especially for those who may have issues with eye strain.
• Varying levels of porosity: These materials may require sealant (and may need to be re-sealed over time) which could result in more maintenance and upkeep. However, there certainly are hard and shiny surfaces that do not require sealing — such as quartz.
• Wipe and dry clean-up: A bit more work is required in cleaning this type of countertop.
• Loud and heavy: These surfaces tend to be "heavier" materials that project sound. (Think clanging silverware on your stone countertop surface.)
• Cold to the touch: Exactly what it sounds like — these surfaces are cold to the touch.
• High levels of scratch and heat resistance: Damage to the countertop is minimized. (Trivets are recommended to prevent damage from heat.)
• Not easily repairable: Though these surfaces are quite resilient, if damaged, they are extremely difficult to repair.
• Visible seams: The countertop will not appear to have a "consistent flow" as there will be visible seams as required.
• Sink options are limited: Undermount and overmount sinks are the only options when working with hard and shiny countertops. With these types of sink applications, there tends to be dirt/grime build-up around the rim of the sink.
• Inconsistent natural qualities: Because of these natural qualities, the surface has a unique, one-of-a-kind look.

Seamless/Integrated Surfaces

Solid Surface, Concrete, Soapstone

• Easy to install: These surfaces are much less cumbersome to install.
• Nonreflective: Because of the smooth, silky, matte finish, these surfaces are not reflective and are much "easier on the eye."
• Warm to the touch: These materials are warm to the touch and can be considered to have a more inviting appeal.
• Integrated seaming: Because of the malleable nature of these surfaces, seams have the ability to be integrated — meaning two pieces can be integrated together to appear as one piece. Often, seams are not visible at all, giving the countertop a consistent flow.
• Color runs all the way through the material: There is consistent color throughout the material. Should there ever be a need to renew or repair the surface, this consistent color makes it much easier to do so.
• Ability to add an integrated sink: Aside from the options of under mount and over mount sinks, these surfaces also come with the option of integrated sinks. When the countertop is integrated with the sink, the presence of mold/dirt build-up around the rim of the sink is completely eliminated.
• Integrated coved backsplash: Similar to the benefit of an integrated sink, integrated coved backsplashes also allow for ease of cleaning.
• Low maintenance: These surfaces require minimal upkeep and offer the added benefit of wipe-only clean-up.
• Nonporous: These types of countertops are extremely hygienic as bacteria cannot penetrate the surface.
• High levels of scratch and heat resistance: Damage to the countertop is minimized. (Trivets are recommended to prevent damage from heat.)
• Ability to create sophisticated edge details and routered inlays: Due to the malleable nature of these materials, you can personalize the fine details of your countertop.
• Ease of repair: Should any damage occur to your integrated/seamless countertop, the ability to restore the surface to its original state is almost always possible.

No matter who you are and what your everyday life entails — whether you’re a mother of three or a bachelor in the city — if you can take into account the various qualities of these two types of premium decorative surfaces, you will be able to make a more educated decision and choose the surface fits your lifestyle.

And so ends the confusion

As with every decision we make in our everyday lives, we are faced with weighing the outcomes of our decision. Why should choosing a countertop be any different?

If the design industry can lean away from suggesting a product and begin to suggest a product for your lifestyle, then you can make an educated, assured decision. It is with this simple idea that you, as the consumer, can stop being confused and can become confident in choosing the perfect countertop surface for your home.