| Acrylic |
Bathroom sinks and tubs |
Use nonabrasive cleaners; wipe down after use
with a dry, soft cloth. Apply a non-grit paste wax occasionally |
Medium to high |
Top-of-the-line choice for large two-person tubs
and whirlpools |
| Ceramic Tile |
Floors, counters and backsplashes |
Use a mild, nonabrasive household cleaner, or
soap and water |
Low medium to high |
Virtually limitless colors and sizes provide
maximum design freedom; durable but hard - and sometimes slippery -
underfoot |
| Composites |
Counters and sinks |
Clean with mild, nonabrasive household cleaners,
or mild detergent (or baking soda) and water |
High |
Lightweight, durable, easy to maintain; available
in some colors |
| Conversion Varnish |
Cabinet finish for wood and veneer |
Wipe clean with a damp sponge |
Medium to high |
Toughest factory-applied finish used on wood and
wood veneer |
| Cultured Stone |
Bathroom sinks, tubs and counters |
Use nonabrasive cleaners; wipe down after use
with a dry, soft cloth |
Medium |
Quick solution for one-piece vanity top/sink;
available at home centers |
| Enameled Cast Iron |
Kitchen Sinks, bathroom fixtures |
Use a nonabrasive cleaner; abrasives can pit the
surface |
High |
Traditional luxury choice for standard-size tubs;
offers unmatched depth of color and gloss in sinks and tubs |
| Enameled Steel |
Bathtubs, bathroom and kitchen sinks |
Use a nonabrasive cleaner; surface chips easily |
Low |
The low cost is its primary benefit; not as
durable as more expensive options |
| Fiberglass/ABS |
Bathroom fixtures |
Use nonabrasive cleaners; wipe down after use
with a dry, soft cloth |
Low to medium |
A good economy choice for tubs and one-piece
shower units |
| Foil |
Cabinets |
Use a mild, nonabrasive household cleaner, or
soap and water |
Medium |
Offers a low-maintenance surface; can be formed
over angles and curves |
| Lacquer |
Cabinet finish for wood and veneer |
Clean with a soft, damp cloth |
Medium |
Wide variety of colors; reasonable price compared
with polyester |
| Laminate |
Cabinets, counters and floors |
Use a mild, nonabrasive household cleaner, or
soap and water |
Low to medium |
Great durability-to-price ratio; staggering array
of colors and patterns. High-pressure more durable than low-pressure |
| Polyester |
Cabinet finish for wood, veneer and MDF |
Clean with water and dry with a soft cloth; do
not use wax |
High |
Hard to beat for sleek, sophisticated styling in
high-gloss cabinets; very high-maintenance |
| Rubber |
Floors |
Vacuum, or mop with household cleaners or soap
and water |
Low to medium |
Easy-on-the-feet choice for flooring with a
high-tech look; better for baths than kitchens |
| Solid Surfacing |
Sinks, counters and showers |
Use soap and water or a mild ammonia-based
cleaner; buff out stubborn stains with a polishing compound |
High |
Extraordinarily durable; can be worked like wood
to create molded shapes |
| Stainless Steel |
Sinks and kitchen counters |
Abrasives won't hurt stainless steel |
Low to high |
Traditional kitchen sink choice; comes in many
bowl configurations. An interesting - but costly - countertop option |
| Stone |
Counters and floors |
Use mild household cleaners or soap and water;
seal to protect porous stones against stains |
High |
Timeless look in scores of natural
colors/patterns; will outlast your house, though marble can stain |
| Vinyl |
Floors |
Use a damp sponge on cabinets; vacuum floors and
mop with a mild household cleaner |
Low to medium |
Easy on the feet and to maintain; you can save
money by installing tiles yourself |
| Vitreous China |
Fixtures |
Use soap and water; avoid abrasives that can
scratch the glaze |
Low to high |
Basic white toilets and sinks represent good
value; colors up the ante, and hand-painting is strictly a splurge |
| Wood |
Kitchen counters, cabinets and floors |
Use a damp cloth on counters and cabinets; for
floors, use products made specifically for polyurethane-treated wood |
Cabinets: Medium to high; floors: Medium to high;
counters: Medium to high |
Natural warmth of wood tone and grain patterns;
can take abuse |
| Wood Veneer |
Cabinets |
Use a damp cloth and dry thoroughly |
Low to high (for exotic species) |
Can be just as well-made as solid wood cabinets;
superior dimensional stability |
