Kitchen bench tops or countertops encounter heavy use and abuse. As such, they must be able to weather wear and tear for as long as possible. Modern countertop materials are plenty whether it's a metallic finish or something more ornamental you desire. And, each material can deliver less or more in the way of durability. Take a look.

Ceramic

Ceramic tile is very affordable even for consumers who have a tight budget. There are some higher-priced varieties as well. What's best is that they serve perfectly as backsplashes too so you can have a matching set of essentials.

What can be a bit of a problem with ceramic tile is dirt buildup in grout. It can look unsightly and keeping it pristine means regular cleaning. However, maintenance is minimal or at least, doesn't require a lot of elbow grease so even users averse to cleaning won't have a problem maintaining it.

The cost of ceramic tiles can go as low as $10 for a square foot, affordable even for consumers with very tight budgets.

Laminate

Laminate is made of paper treated with resin and fused under high temperature. It's similar to laminates used in flooring. It's trendy, highly customizable with a vast range of colors and patterns, able to endure everyday use, and is easy and cheap to replace.

Laminate benchtops also mimic natural stone though, of course, not to the same standard. Still, if ceramic isn't to your taste, give it a thought the next time you go benchtop shopping.

The downside is that they can't be cleaned with abrasive materials as they aren't hard as tiles. They also don't resist heat and scratches well.

Laminates cost around $40 per square foot, significantly more than ceramic.

Timber

Timber was the material of choice for centuries and still is for some people. Butcher block countertops or slimmer wooden tops can be built to your specification. Wood is warm, elegant and long lasting as long as it's treated and coated with sealant. Wiping off spillage and leaving the wood to dry will prevent water damage further.

Wood can cost between $35 and over $100 per square foot.

Recycled glass

Glass is often recycled to produce countertops. Unlike other options, it can be highly decorative so if you have a muted kitchen design in need of some spark, this is the choice to go with.

Glass by itself is quite tough and recycled or crushed glass even more so. It doesn't chip easily and the non-porous surface means water doesn't sleep in. However, as strong as it is, glass can't bear very heavy weights and acidic spillage can leave some stain.

The cost of a square foot of crushed glass slab is between $50 and $100.

Natural stone

Natural stone is the top choice for countertops but it's expensive whether it's granite, slate or marble you choose. The one drawback it has is porosity which means regular sealing is necessary. Options like granite have natural antibacterial properties so sanitation is not an issue. And since natural stone is formed by pressure and heat, it can take the heat of a pan quite well, at least for short periods.

Natural stone costs around $100 to over $200 for a square foot.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel has good hygienic properties because it's so easily cleaned. It also looks great when paired with wood, tile or laminate.

Contrary to popular belief, stainless steel does stain and corrode albeit at a much slower pace than other metals. Its cost is the same as natural stone.