The durability of a particular choice is worth considering. You’ll probably live with your new countertops for a while— or, if you’re selling, the new buyers will—and, either way, durability will be an asset. So, how long do different types of countertops last after installation or replacement?
Most will sustain some damage over time, but some are more resilient than others. Generally speaking, quartz, granite, soapstone, limestone, laminate, solid surface, and butcher block are resistant to heat, so you don’t have to stress if you put a hot pan on the counter.
Quartz and granite may chip, so they have to be professionally repaired, and laminate is sensitive to cutting, so cutting directly on it isn’t advisable. Butcher-block counters are fairly resilient—when nicks and scratches do occur, they can be sanded.