We have just finished installing our second porcelain slab countertop, and we are pretty impressed with the material.

It is expensive, though, and may be out of reach for some homeowners, but if it can be fitted into the budget, it is worth the investment.

A couple of notes:

1. Porcelain slabs and sintered stone are the same product -- essentially a very large ceramic tile. Porcelain slabs are usually glazed, sintered stone unglazed. Both are made the same way as good quality tile rated "impervious", just much larger using massive presses and up to 100,000 psi of pressure to compact the material.

2. Only a few countertop or tile shops handle the material and installation is costly, but coming down as installers get more familiar and more comfortable with the product.

3. If you want the look of stone, but without the maintenance of actual stone, either product is a good choice. We particularly like it to replace delicate stones like marble or travertine.

4. Watch out for the up-sell. Porcelain slab is usually less expensive than sintered stone, but there is no real difference in the products, and no reason to choose the more expensive version unless it has a color or pattern you just must have.

5. Sintered stone has been hyped to the extreme in an effort by its manufacturers to distinguish it from porcelain lab and justify the higher price. Again, there is no real difference in the material, so don't be taken in by the glowing prose.

If you want the advantages of porcelain slab without the high price, try regular large format (12" x 24" or larger) glazed tile with urethane grout. Urethane grout does away with the problems of the old cement-based grout. It does not stain and is easy to keep clean. The tile countertop in our test kitchen has been used and abused for 15 years, and still looks brand new -- not a hint of stain in the light-gray urethane grout.

For more complete information about the various countertop options with ratings by our very experienced countertop people, see New and Traditional Countertop Choices.