You are about to finish your dream home and you are looking at Formica countertops for your kitchen. But are Formica countertops the right choice for you? Do you want a durable countertop that will not chip or stain easily. Or are you on a budget and you are looking to cut costs by saving money on the price of the countertops. What will drive your decision between Formica countertops or stone or laminate countertop?

Formica countertops are made of laminate and Formica is the brand name of the material. The Formica Corporation, which began in 1913, is located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

For a while almost every home in America had a Formica countertop unless they had the money to use a more expensive surface like granite of concrete. Home builders, housewives and interior decorators are attracted to Formica countertops because you can find them in almost any color to match a home owner's decor.

In June of 2006, the Formica corporation added exciting new colors to its line of Formica countertops. These new colors moved away for traditional countertops that mirrored colors found in natural materials such as stone and granite. According to a press release from the Formica Corporation, the new Formica countertop colors reflected man-made colors. The colors for the Formica countertops ranged from metallic to gray to bright colors from the Art Deco period. There are some Formica countertops that look like their more expensive countertops, such as granite or concrete.

But Formica countertops are not as durable as granite or concrete countertops. The laminate surface can be a challenge to clean. For light stains, Formica countertops can be cleaned with mild soap and water. If it is a tough stain, try baking soda and a household cleaner. The downside is if it is a tough stain, using an abrasive cleaning solution will damage the Formica countertop. If you have questions as to how to handle a stain, you can look at the manufacturer's instructions that came with your Formica countertop.

While cleaning Formica countertops is easy, keeping them free from cuts, scratches and burns is not. If a can falls out of your cabinet, it can damage the surface of your Formica countertop by chipping it. You will have to use a cutting board when preparing dinner to prevent cuts. You will also want to keep hot pans off the Formica countertops to protect them from burns.

The downside to Formica countertops often outweigh the main advantage to many homeowners and builders-price. Many new homeowners turn to Formica countertops not for the design or color, but simply because they are reasonably priced. Formica countertops run about $7 to $20 per square foot, while granite countertops are about $70 to $100 per square foot. You can check prices and special offers from home improvement stores for the best deals. Ultimately, the homeowner will have to make the choice between a more expensive granite or concrete countertop or the less expensive Formica countertop.