Putting beauty aside for a moment, your kitchen and bath countertops are there to work. So as you're comparing materials-and there are many-think about the chopping, sliding, hot pans, spills, and other abuse that daily use inflicts. Whether you're drawn to natural or engineered stone, tile, laminate, wood, bamboo, metal, or glass, consider each material's pros and cons. Once you've factored in the purchase and installation costs, it's finally time to follow your heart.