Noramally I don't quote Consumer Reports because I think they are wrong as often as they are right. But on countertops I think they are right on. Quartz is tops for durability with granite slightly behind. And the rest significantly behind.

On GW kitchens it seems to be when then there is a problem with quartz a bad batch is not blamed but quartz in general or at minimum that particular quartz company.

When there is a problem with granite a bad install is blamed or a problem with that particular piece of rock. Hmmmm?

Corian will definetly get scratched over time but can be refinished.But that is money and hastle. And it still looks plasticky to me,especially if I wanted a matte finish.

You have experience with laminate and todays stuff is much better than the old stuff.Still I would never get it. Seems and durabilty not as good as either quartz or granite.

Good luck!

If the counter run is less than 12' or doesn't contain any bumpouts or non 90� corners, laminate won't need a seam. You can use postformed that wraps the edge and goes under it in a bullnose look. Yeah, if you have a 90� corner, it will be a seam, but as long as that isn't close to the sink, or you seal it before it's joined together, there shouldn't be any problem with moisture infiltration of seams.

Interesting thoughts on how problems with quartz and granite are perceived, thanks - and I hadn't seen Consumer Reports' take on it, that's good to hear. Hollysprings, I do have a 90 degree corner, with the sink very close by, which is why I'm having trouble thinking of where a seam could go if I did laminate. Thanks for the input. Looking forward to hearing more experiences and thoughts.

Interesting thoughts on how problems with quartz and granite are perceived, thanks - and I hadn't seen Consumer Reports' take on it, that's good to hear. Hollysprings, I do have a 90 degree corner, with the sink very close by, which is why I'm having trouble thinking of where a seam could go if I did laminate. Thanks for the input. Looking forward to hearing more experiences and thoughts.

When I was looking, it seemed that this very much depends on what you want. I am so frustrated with my over mount sink having ick at the lip that I nearly went with Corian just to go seamless. It was a huge factor. Ultimately I decided the scratches would eventually bother me, since the scratches in the SS sink bother me a bit.

Quartz vs granite was harder. I'm accustomed to using trivets and cutting boards, so either surface would have suited my needs. But for some reason quartz here is very expensive. They were both in the same ballpark, and I liked the movement in some granites more than the uniform quartz, so granite it is! Just put my deposit down today.

Noting that we put in granite counters when we reno'd the kitchen, I still have to plug laminate.

Our laminate was installed in 1971 and I'm pretty sure it was never actual Formica. It was white. Not only did we do lots of cooking and baking on it, we also used the peninsula for a myriad of arts and crafts projects. All the little dresses and shorts and quilts were made there. I clamped my wood carving project to the counter and chiseled away right there in the kitchen! After 40 years I had exactly 2 tiny chips in 47 sq. ft. of counter and no stains. A little 409 or whatever and a sponge took everything right out: red paint, cranberry juice, tumeric, anything. Right at the end we had a bit of de-lamination on the vertical piece right next to the stove. We also had a couple of edge chips from DW installation (the floor got higher over the years). On the day we ripped it out it was as pristinely white as it was when we moved in in 1974. Talk about a workhorse!

We did put in granite and I love it, but I would have no problem installing laminate again. In your case because you have an entire tribe of kiddos who might not be as careful as your are, I would give it real consideration. Granite is good, quartz is good, but it's possible that laminate might be best in your case.