carolynparis not great for stain removal and sanitation, fyi....

flowerbill I saw the first photo in this article and tried to copy it on a cheaper scale but found that unless you can find a square sink you have to use a drop in sink as ordinary non designer tile comes in straight lines and modern sinks have round edges.. I won't go into my kitchen nightmare but I ended up having to smash out the tile that had been laid and putting in granite!

pgpainter These pctures are beautiful, but we removed our tile countertops. Family life and daily use were not easy...grains of salt and sugar loved the recessed grout areas. Ours never felt clean and wet areas by the sink degraded pretty quickly.

rkq903 I like tile, just not on counter surfaces.

Joe Statwick Ugh, good luck if you bake at all, ever. Rolling out pizza dough or pie crust, kneading bread, and cutting out cookies or pasta are all challenging and gross on tile. If money were limiting, I'd rather go with wood, stainless, sealed concrete, or even laminate.

flowerbill If you drop something heavy on tile the tile breaks.

Norberry Tile I like to supplant tile countertops with utilitarian work areas like an island counter made of butcher block or smooth stone slab.

dihabibi I already have tile countertops and, unfortunately, have to live with them for a while longer.... can I add grout to make the depressions higher, without removing the stuff that's already there?

appytrails I would never suggest tile counters for kitchen surfaces. Had them, couldn't wait to get rid of them, for all the reasons already mentioned.

patricia beharry I love a tiled counter top. don'f get it about rolling pie crust or baking bread, cause in my neck of the woods no one will dream of not using something between your food and the counter tops. Must be something done in the US of A.

appytrails Patricia, Even when using a cutting board for your dough and flour, some bits of flour always gets on the counter. Try getting flour out of grout lines.....It sticks, blow it out..nah, you wipe it, some moves across grout lines, wipe it with a damp cloth, now the grout is wet and still isn't clean. Multiply that with all the crumbs, coffee spills, etc. and you have anything but an easy to maintain surface. I've been there, never again!! Compared to granite, OMG, or even laminate, which I initially replaced it with, what a difference in ease of maintenance.

patricia beharry @appytrails Had granite. When building I went with a solid surface. Then a neighbour built a massive house with all the bells and whistles, Imported, over a million. Tiled her counter tops, Just love the counter tops. Maybe I am just odd. BTW, never heard of anyone dying from their counter tops. I worked in the Labour and delivery unit ,walked all over the bloody floors, among other things. People brought their young children in, when we asked them to not let their children drag all over the floors, we were cursed out, told we were unfriendly. But they worry about the tiled counter tops. GO FIGURE. One of the dirtiest places on earth is a hospital floor.

lindaleibowitz frankly, I'd prefer a nice laminate. the grout is just too much for me to handle.

tradess2012 For 31 years I had off white tiles on my counter tops and backsplashes with a greyish grout. Granted the tiles were not as shiny, but the surfaces were very clean being used for so many years. All I ever used was Glass Plus. FYI ...spent about $1,600 so many years ago but splurge on the Spanish tiles on the floor. It was a happy kitchen serving my wonderful family.

Kuche+Cucina Looks nice, but as you can see from all the comments, not a good choice and no one mentioned that wet grout is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria (in the kitchen!!!) - hello...?!?
If you really want the look of ceramic, w/o the problems, use enemaled lava stone (see http://www.kuche-cucina.com/projects/?wppa-album=36&wppa-slide&wppa-occur=1) - it is pricier, but looks like a big piece of ceramic and has great design possibilities - see the backsplash and the custom trash chute near the sink.

graciel57 No way in Hades would I have a tiled countertop in my kitchen! Just no way to really keep it clean, and the unevenness of the surface would drive me wild when working on it. It would probably dissuade me from buying a house with it, as well.

I do LOVE the turquoise tile up above, but I couldn't have it in my kitchen.

Joan McKniff Had original tile in our first home, a post WW II bungalow in CA, and loved it. Lived happily and healthy with it for years. When we first bought it we had grout cleaned and re grouted/sealed or whatever needed; was more than 30 years ago. After that easy, normal cleaning was all that was needed. Was a great rich, dark green color. Now retired in Florida, am about to have tile counter top installed. With countertop inspired by the colors of Iznik tiles, the back splash will include some traditional patterned Iznik tiles brought back from Turkey. Can't wait!

astraea This is one of those articles that confirms my recurring suspicions, that as soon as 80%+ of homeowners switch to one material (i.e. granite), designers will start a new trend .. using a material they just finished convincing everyone was impractical & old-fashioned (i.e. tile) .. to sell more product! I honestly don't see any benefit of going to ceramic tile, where you're always sealing & cleaning the grout!

tradess2012 most people with cleaning comments never had tiles to begin with....don't remember how many potential buyers used to complain about it....my reply....I am a cook but also like a clean house/kitchen....end of story.

flowerbill There is no difference between granite and tile they both have to be sealed, they are both hard surfaces that breaks anything dropped on it. The only difference I can see is ease of installment for contracters, granite being a lot easier and more expensive has become the one they all push you to use. If we went with the the cheapest and most practical we would all have formica. So it comes down to aesthetics and what you can afford. Sanitary has nothing to do with choice of counter tops, they all get dirty, they all need cleaning.

sheboom I agree with the previous comments. I have tile kitchen counters, and I have such difficulty keeping them clean. The pictures posted here are beautiful, but I would not recommend them.

efpico I love tile countertops. I think they look great, any DIYer can do it, they are easy to take care of and simple to clean.

ggir139 Installed granite 12 x 12 tiles on kitchen countertops in our island home in Maui. Love them! No problems keeping clean. Reseal grout lines about once a year, takes about 30 minutes. Love it so much, we did bathroom countertop to match. Have solid granite in stateside home. No grout lines, but really no big difference. If you haven't tried it, don't knock it! Oh, and I was able to do the tile granite myself, saving tons of money!

lorirobinson I agree with flowerbill! This is more a case of different strokes for different folks. You are kidding yourselves if you think your granite isn't every bit as dirty a breeding ground for bacteria as tile. The truest "clean" counter tops are manufactured compounds. No holes and no seams. Having said that, it really boils down to a matter of taste. I find, as with most things, they have their advantages and disadvantages!

patricia beharry When the industry get tired of granite, they will introduce something else and the granite will be so bad, harbouring all sorts of bacteria because it was not sealed properly. How many people does anyone know who died of bacteria from a tiled counter top? Right now granite is in. Just a matter of time before it is old fashioned and Sooooooooo 2000 era.

sclawson Liked tile counters until I had them in a rental right after we were married. Thank the stars I got an opportunity to try them out before we built 3 years later! Cleaning didn't bother me all that much, but if you dropped a glass or plate when getting in/out of cupboards, it was sure to break if it hit the tile counter. I'm sure stone would be the same. Laminate is pretty forgiving. Someday I hope to have Silestone and think it will be similar to laminate in that respect.

7lexi7 Having lived briefly in a home with tile countertops, I will never, ever put them in my home, nor would I buy a home that has them. The grout never seems clean. Why would you set yourself up for major clean-up hassle? Don't do it.

Linda We have done a couple of tile countertops in rehabbed homes. We can't afford to use granite...our countertop budget is no more than 1% of house value. Preformed laminates would be a good choice but we usually have a section of countertop which isn't standard sized and so that section wouldn't match. The attached photo has tiles which are 12 inches wide and the full depth of the counter with minimal grout lines. The section with the sink is only 22 inches deep due to limited space so countertops had to be custom built. Around the corner is a 4 foot cabinet with a butcher block top so using the tile isn't necessary for bread making, etc.

cpiesch I have a tile countertop in my kitchen and I HATE it, it has to be the worst countertop there is, almost anything else would be better. I can't wait to take a sledge hammer to it one day.

tradess2012 FYI...people are so darn "funny" talking about germs and cleaniness...but walking in the house with their shoes on and with the dirt of the world, but yeah....tiles are not clean! People, listen/read what you write!

ggir139 Just for reference, here's how countertop ended up looking.

Ann I rent the house we are in - the house had a horrible green formica counter top that was unbearable. I convinced my landlord to let me change the counters to at least white which was livable. We purchased a white ceramic tile from home depot with white grout. My dad is a contractor and redid the counter tops. We wanted something that was affordable but that I could live with. I love tile - if you can keep it clean - it would not be my first choice as a homeowner since there are so many options. I'm a neat freak and clean and spray my tile daily. Also, when I bake - I lay saran wrap on the counter so I don't have to spend hours trying to get flour out of my grout. Learned that trick on my first pie. I think it depends upon your budget - if you have a small budget - it's a nice option but as your budget expands there are better options that make cleaning and maintaining easier. But there is something about an old tiled kitchen that warms my heart.

karenemily I bought a house that already had NEW tile countertops. Took them out! Can't keep them clean. I replace with solid surface.

gillianne We replaced stained and broken original Formica counters in the house we bought with 12" square gray-green slate tiles. After several years, I still love the look and hardiness of the slate but am less thrilled with the grout and probably should have done more research on grout options. If we ever move, I'm lobbying for an undermount sink and solid-surface counters, even if we go with one of the new laminates.

gwen47 Go to your local supply store and buy a large granite tile. For some reason, kneading bread works better on granite anyway and you can put it in the dishwasher.

sjmom No grout in the kitchen please!

katiejones79 consumers should ask before purchasing ceramic if it rated for kitchen counters. not all ceramics are alike. porcelain tile is a great choice as well since it's non porous, comes in larger sizes for less grout lines, and so much now has an amazing stone look that can be hard to know it's not stone. point-ask questions about ratings and size availability, but never compromise the look you're going for. :-)

renovationbloviatrix I put tile on kitchen counters once, Once. Never again.

thegreenbee I prefer tiles on the backsplash with a solid counter top, personally. I like the turquoise backsplash in the third picture. It has a fun fish scale look that I could see near the ocean... Or the Mediterranean!

PamDesigns 3D Oh tell me it isn't sooooo! With so many other wonderful surfaces out there, why would anybody (unless they owned a tile factory) want to put tile on the countertops. Thought we were over that! Aaarrrrrh! I recently remodeled my kitchen and replaced the granite tile with acrylic solid surface. What a difference! No more icky grout lines to clean. I agree with the others here ~leave the tile for the back splash!

tradess2012 oh forgot to mention, most of Europe has tiles in their kitchens, in fact, for centuries.....you are telling them how wrong they are?

patricia beharry @tradess2012----- What they are saying is, The rest of the world is wrong. And don't forget that porous butcher block. How many seal their granite regularly?

Nan Tile is not "wrong", its just a personal choice/life style difference. It's the type of tile and installation that can make you love it or hate it soon after.

Tile can be charming and hard solid surfaces are sleek. Tile can also be busy just because of all the grout lines ( grout color is really important) and solid surfaces can offer a calmer flow. (depending on the color/ grain of course).

If you love tile... Enjoy it AND maybe you don't mind resealing and cleaning the grout every now and then. Or, spring for the best grout that doesn't stain or need sealing like mentioned in this article. Some kitchens may be more appealing with tile depending on the architectural style of the home. Past experience says thinner grout lines are an option and I found them easier to maintain.

With that said, I now have concrete counters/ large tiled back splashes and etched concrete floors. Any grout lines are 1/4" or less and actually disappear or enhance the concrete application depending on the location of the lines.

lizziek gillianne

I saw a kitchen in Fine Homebuilding that had slate tile that looked pretty cool. I'd like to see a picture of your counter top. Except for the grout, how do you like the slate?

I would love solid slate in my new house but am considering slate tile instead. I would think using an epoxy grout would solve most of the grout problems mentioned so far.

Mackenzie Austin Design Never on a countertop. Not as a homeowner or as a designer.

raulporter Don't know bout this Fusion Pro stuff, but epoxy grout is fab, does not stain. did you hear that does NOT stain. I just had all my grout removed and replaced with this stuff and it is really a wonderful product. Yes, you have to mix it [hence the name epoxy!] but unlike Fusion Pro you are up and using it in 24 hours. I also love my 24 inch square tile with very small grout lines. You sure can roll out your pie crust on that, and there is so little grout to deal with. cost effective, easy to maintain and if you are careful about your choice of tile, way greener than what goes on to bring you your over priced, and happy to say, going out of style....granite, I knew that stuff was bogus.

Nan Happy to hear a comparison with the epoxy grout. Experience speaks volumes.

lizziek raulporter

Could we see a picture your 24 inch tile counter top. I was thinking of using 24" honed slate tile instead of the 12". How did you handle the counter top edges?

I also used epoxy grout for all my new tile. It's the best. You can also get an epoxy sealer to paint on old grout. Comes in lots of colors. Makes it almost look like a new tile job.

wandm I looked into getting granite tile with the epoxy grout and it is soooo much better than the gritty grout in my old kitchen. It's sort of rubbery and comes in dark colors that could match or contrast with your tile. So I think the cleaning issue is not as bad as it used to be. That being said, we ended up going with granite slab because we like the look of slab over tile and we had the budget. I am still very happy with the decision after almost 10 years. But the pictures in this post are beautiful and I can understand why some people want to go that route.

Regarding the slate tile, we had slate on a floor and it kind of flaked off in layers occasionally. I don't know if that was something particular to the grade of slate, it was not expensive, but that would be my concern in the kitchen.

gwen47 I don't think slate on a kitchen counter is a good idea. Here is a photo of my bathroom countertop---it's a guest bathroom and gets little use---still I didn't use it for the whole top as it's uneven and it's not very strong. For sure seal slate before you use it, certainly before it is grouted. The grout stained the slate.

I noticed that Lowes and Home Depot don't carry much of it anymore.

lizziek I am planning on using Vermont honed slate, slab if I can afford it or honed tiles. I have a friend with it on her counter top and she loves it. It's similar to soapstone in feel but harder.

gwen47 We're talking about two different things then. That looks very nice.

deemullen Tiled kitchens are great IF you do not cook in them! These pictures are beautiful. Don't fool anyone into thinking it's a great surface, esp. if you want a super clean counter.

renovationbloviatrix It's terrible if you want to roll out cookie dough, noodles, pie crust, or knead bread. Sure, you can use a cutting board, but it's not easy keeping all that flour and dough on a board. If you use really big tiles with really tight grout lines, then, MAAybe. . . .

txvoodoo No, no no no no no no. I lived in 2 houses with tile counters and NEVER AGAIN. I don't care how neat or clean you are, eventually they're just NOT good.

FWIW, my experience is 14 years of tile counters (I was renting, had no choice). NEVER. AGAIN.

miekeh I live in a house built in 1950. We have the original tile counter tops. Yes, 62 year old 4X4 glazed ceramic tile. I clean the grout regularly, but you have to clean any kind of counter top regularly. I love the old kitchen, and when we eventually put in a new one, it may very well have tile counter-tops. Certainly not granite...bo-o-o-o-ring!

rebelliousraven We have tile countertops in the kitchen just like in picture number 1... 1920's bungalow.. never have had problems.. been in the house now for 25 years. Light colored tiles with light colored grout .. I use baking soda and a scrub brush....wiped it down with a bleach cloth if I am concerned about germs (juice from chicken etc) ... never worry about hot pans, knives etc .. best counter I ever had.

sandkshouse Our kitchen has a tile counter on the island. We can't wait to get rid of it. We never feel like it's clean, crumbs get stuck down in the grout when you try to wipe the surface, and it is terrible if you roll out pastry.

jbsilver I've viewed various cabinet maker brands and found none of those that I looked at had a corner base cabinet. I'm still looking. I wondering if the one in the first picture is custom. Any one out there who can steer me in the right direction.

lizziek www.Cabinetmakerschoice.com They have a corner base cabinet like the one in the picture. Ask for Chad and tell them Liz referred you. They are doing all the cabinets in my new home. Great prices too.

leroidelarue I totally disagree with this article-- to me, there's nothing worse than grout on kitchen counters. It's hard to get clean, it traps crumbs and coffee grounds, and if you so much as tap a glass on ceramic tile, the glass will break. I will never, ever have tile countertops again.

gillianne @lizziek - I chose Vermont honed slate tiles (12x12) for our counters and still really like the slate itself. It's handsome and durable; I put hot pots right on it. It doesn't scratch or stain (we sealed it). In fact, we put the same slate on a bathroom floor and tub surround and have no complaints there. BUT the grout between the kitchen counter tiles is an issue. We picked a compatible greenish gray grout from Home Depot and were focused more on matching the slate than on a product that would seal well. Mistake! So I hope solid slate is in your budget, or if not, perhaps large remnant pieces artistically aligned with few seams.

gillianne @lizziek - Forgot to mention that we bought our slate tiles directly from a nearby slate company that mined the stone onsite. The staff helped us find the smoothest tiles with the least variation in veining. Also, we edged the counters with simple wood trim--an easy solution with our wood cabinets. Then we used the same slate as a backsplash, along with a band of smaller tumbled slate in varied colors from Home Depot. Our house is late '60s vintage on a forested lot, and I think the slate and wood, in a room with white walls, high ceiling, and lots of natural light, suit the house and the site. Epoxy grout might eliminate my complaints. Good luck!

rebelliousraven I wonder what they made grout with back in the 1920's because we never have sealed ours in 25 years we have lived in the house .. just scrub it gently with a scrub brush and baking soda .. it has never stained .. whitish grout .. tomato sauce you name it .. it has been on there ... never a problem... maybe it is today's crappy products

bkeith We did our island in a combination of floor tile and subway wall tile and barn wood. Love it! We use it for eating and not for food preparation.

flowerbill Love it thanks for sharing.

gwen47 Lovely, bkeith. Thanks for sharing

Sharon McLeod Wow. All I see is a bunch of people either *screaming* NO NO NO... a bunch of people saying they LOVE theirs and they have no problem with staining... and ANOTHER bunch of people blaming evolution of taste and style and the creation of new products on obviously money-grubbing designers.
Phew!

patricia beharry @sharon----------Isn't it great to live a a country where we have choices?

Sharon McLeod Sometimes. Sometimes it's just tiring. Especially when it's the same old voices over and over and over...

patricia beharry @bkeith------- That is one beautiful island in your kitchen.

Joan McKniff What were you hoping to see? I have had tile, loved it and will install it in current home. Don't think that makes me part of a bunch or anything else hostile. My opinion might also have been influenced by having lived in Mexico and Spain. I have learned questions to ask about caulking from this group. . I've noticed that some of those who like tile have had it in older homes, as have I, and some want a warm almost cozy look, as do I. This has reinforced my decision. My new tile counter top will complement ceramic pitchers and plates on or hung over the top of the warm wood cabinets.

flowerbill Well said Joan I agree whole heartedly.

flowerbill Well said Joan I agree whole heartedly.

gillianne @bkeith - very handsome, and your pleasure in it is good to read.

tradess2012 Joan, of course Spain and Mexico have the most wonderful tiled kitchens. Myself, lived all over the world with so many kitchens that I can't even remember the details of the tiles, but the efficiency and easeness of cleaning them comes to mind. Some of the countries didn't even have air conditioners, but the hygiene was taken extremely serious in keeping the counters fresh and clean. What I loved most, the drainage on the kitchen floor for every day mopping!

flowerbill Growing up in England in the sixties I don't remember having counter tops, just a kitchen table a couple of wooden things we kept stuff in, a sink with a draining board and a pantry that was against the outside wall and freezing in the winter. But no drain in the floor! ;)

flowerbill Growing up in England in the sixties I don't remember having counter tops, just a kitchen table a couple of wooden things we kept stuff in, a sink with a draining board and a pantry that was against the outside wall and freezing in the winter. But no drain in the floor! ;)

Sharon McLeod Sometimes. Sometimes it's just tiring. Especially when it's the same old voices over and over and over...

flowerbill Sharon be a good girl and go away and be bored somewhere else.

Joan McKniff sidebar: and yes, the drains on the bathroom floors as well! Overflowing tubs or toilets were not a disaster.

lorirobinson Just one more little factoid to add to the debate...YES your granite counter top can and does off gas radon! Most granites are at an "EPA acceptable" level, but some are measuring out way higher, especially imported and exotic species, but all are capable of emitting some particles of radon. Kinda makes you wonder if it's really the best choice.

Erin Contour We sold our home that had granite countertops, moved in to an apartment with white tile on the kitchen counters while we're building. I can honestly say that I don't care HOW much it set me back, I'd NEVER ever put tile on a flat surface, especially white tile. I never stop cleaning it, the grout lines are constantly dirty and require a steamer to get truly clean... bleach doesn't quite to it. I get that it is an easy installation, but forever after a nightmare. Hands down the worst counter surface ever. Same experience with using in our master bath... I thought it was beautiful and figured the bathroom wouldn't have those problems. Wrong. It was just as difficult to clean and keep clean there. I would never recommend it.

mennenster Granite tiles (foot square) need very narrow grout lines which makes them a better option compared to ceramic tiles. Granite tiles look great with wood edging around the counter and on top of six inch granite back splashes. This also minimizes the number of times the granite needs to be cut.

bygeorgi Linda, I have rehabbed on a budget also and used granite countertops. I would recommend them or quartz to everyone. It wasn't that expensive because they were purchased at a granite yard , it's always cheaper to go to the source (El Monte, Ca) and I installed them myself , just gave them the measurements for all the cuts. Its so much easier and less time consuming than tile installation and only cost about $450 to do a kitchen and bath. No expensive glue, grout, tile saw ,mess etc... and done in an hour. No more dirty grout to clean Yippie!

vegaspat Gee, everyone - what's wrong with quartz?

Mercy Me Tile countertops: Fugghedaboudit! BTDT and will never do them again. Sure, some are quite lovely to look at, but they are a bear to maintain. I am not germ-phobic; I just like my countertops to at least feel and look like they are clean. Give me a smooth, continuous and durable surface like granite, stone or engineered quartz any day.

ma2727 I have tile counters in the kitchen and bathrooms and I hate them! They are hard to clean, chip and never look sanitary like a solid surface or butcherblock. I can't wait to get something else...anything but tile! Your pictures look beautiful, though.

blanchard I have had tile in several homes, at least on the backsplash. My present home has tile on the worksurface also and I think it is easy to care for. Correctly installed, it will not be uneven on the surface. I simply pull out a run of wax paper on the counter and do my food preparation atop the wax paper. Cheap solution and easy cleanup.

bygeorgi How about butcher block.... it's quieter, easy to keep up , makes a great baking surface and never goes out of style.

flowerbill I have granite around sink area and butcher block on rest of counters, I prefer the butcher block.

Grace Reed Is installing a tile countertop any crazier than installing a tile backsplash in a kitchen? It can't be fun to clean spaghetti sauce off of glass tile or white subway tile.

astraea @GraceReed - I don't know how you can compare the wear to countertop with backsplashes. Something might splash back, but you're constantly working on the countertop.

Grace Reed Astraea, I wasn't suggesting that they are the same.
I help people weight the pros and cons of the different countertop and backsplashes surfaces every day. Most of my customers, like the people commenting here and myself, want a countertop that is maintence free, indelicate and sanitary. So, we choose granite or quartz. Then we choose our backsplash of natural stone, glass, stainless steel (sometimes all mixed together), add lots of grout lines and put it where food, oil, dust and bacteria gather and where it's hard to reach to clean! And, we pay a premium for it! That was the point I was making!
Bottom line, there are trade-offs and I say to each their own! Grace

Grace Reed That reminds of the lady that chose the big pebble/rock tile, usually used on shower floors, for her kitchen b-splash. It's filled in with a ton of sandy grout! And the c-top she chose was....granite!

rodneyrodriguez Hate to be judgemental but marble, granite, quartz counter tops like commercial stye ranges have had a hell of a ride thanks to over the top promotion and keeping up with the Jones's . Tile counter tops can be beautiful, functional and a fraction of the cost. Epoxy grout lines can be minuscule and sealing is not needed. Tile counter tops are a great alternative to save a lot of bucks that you can use on that stainless steel commercial range.

katiejones79 tip to the wise: check with your distrubutor, designer, showroom rep, or the person who is selling the tile to make sure it is rated for counters. not all tile is created equal and while you can technically use ceramic on the counter, it may not hold up as well as other tile. porcelain tile is as hard if not harder than most granites. :-)

wycherhonda I am crazy about tile counter tops. They can be unique and make a beautiful statement in the kitchen. I don't understand the comments about tile being an uneven surface. It won't be uneven if you choose a flat tile and tight grout lines and an experienced tile layer. Personally, I am sick of granite and stone being so overused.

sugarcakes2 To each his own, but whatever countertop you choose please invest in a good pastry mat.

patricia beharry ===============Ditto for the pastry mat.

inezcox I prefer a dough board to a pastry mat. Like a seasoned cast iron skillet, it only gets better with use.

rodneyrodriguez 24" inch porcelain tiles with thin epoxy grout lines are coming on strong for counter tops. Less expensive than quartz and porcelain tiles do not need to be sealed like granite. The key is to use the largest tiles possible for fewer grout lines and be sure to use the thinnest grout line possible.

Casa Uruguay Our current home had tile counters in our large kitchen and in every bathroom counter. I hated them- crumbs, coffee stains, impossible to keep clean. Lived with them for about 8 years, then switched to granite in kitchen and half bath. Love, love, love it! Will never have tile again. Currently building a home and will have granite on all counter tops if possible. Will be in South America, so cost will be less.