Countertops

Discover what you need to know about countertops—from material choices and installation to the pros and cons of each.

Kevin O’Connor shows a quartz countertop

How to Install a Quartz Countertop

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor learns how quartz countertops are manufactured and then helps install one in a homeowner’s kitchen.

Kitchen Countertop Options

Read our guide to kitchen countertop options, which looks at cost, appearance, and durability in essential work surfaces.

How to Make a Concrete Countertop

Concrete countertops are gaining popularity in kitchens and bathrooms, and they also cost a fraction of what other traditional countertops cost. Kevin O’Connor explains how to make them.

Teak Island Countertop Install at the TOH Arlington Italianate Project House

Countertop manufacturer Paul Grothouse shows Norm the right way to install the new teak island top for the kitchen

Waterfall-Edge Countertop Fabrication and Install at the TOH Cambridge Project House

Norm travels to the Pennsylvania workshop of Paul Grothouse to see the dovetail key joinery of the kitchen’s waterfall-edge wood countertop, then back to Cambridge where the whole crew lends a hand getting it into the house and in place

制作一个柚木岛屿工作台面(音)Newton Project House

Norm Abram travels to Germansville, Pennsylvania, to see how countertop fabricator Paul Grothouse is crafting a beautiful 3-inch teak island top for the house

Buying Guide for Butcher-Block Kitchen Islands

No time to build it before Thanksgiving? Pick a readymade model that works for you

Restoring a Butcher-Block Countertop

When wood counters lose their good looks, here’s how to make them beautiful again, and keep them looking that way

How to Choose a Countertop

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner select a new countertop

How to Build Custom Concrete Countertops

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor learns how to create concrete kitchen counters

All About Wood Countertops

From types of wood to maintenance, our experts help you weigh your options before putting in a wood kitchen countertop.

How to Build a Butcher-Block Island

Combine iron threaded pipe and butcher block to create a kitchen centerpiece.

Quartz Countertops: Buying Guide, Costs, and Care

With the look of natural stone, minus the maintenance, quartz countertops give granite a run for its money.

All About Stone Countertops

The experts at This Old House explain how to find a quarried countertop that suits your home, your budget, and your cooking style

All About Kitchen Islands

Placed at the heart of the cook space, these multipurpose units can enhance a kitchen's utility and appearance.

How to Make a Hypertufa Table

This rugged stuff can weather spilled drinks, sticky hands, and even harsh winters. Use it to make a versatile outdoor table that will last for years

How to Maintain a Stone Countertop

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor learns important maintenance tips from stone countertop contractor Jason Keefe

How to Build a Home Bar

从我们的新系列锤出来:创建一个stately and sophisticated gathering place for mixing and serving drinks

All About Laminate

The stuff of retro 1950s kitchens is looking cool again, thanks to new patterns and vibrant colors

How to Build a Laminate Counter

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares his secrets for fabricating a stylish new plastic-laminate kitchen countertop.

Kitchen Island Design Ideas

Searching for the right look for your next kitchen build? Here are 13 great designs to inspire and inform

How to Repair Laminate Counters

Quick tips for repairing damaged laminate counters with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva

Butcher Block Buying Guide

Butcher block can be made out of nearly any wood—or any combination of woods—configured with its grain showing on the flat, on the edge, or on the end. Here are some of our favorite looks and colors for a kitchen accent