26. Countertops

Our man-made granite solid surface countertops are in. We decided to get the man-made granite because it has all the benefits of granite and you do not have to seal it like regular granite. Real granite is porous and you have to seal it at least one or twice a year to keep it from picking up stains. I am by nature a lazy person and I'm sure that I would stop sealing after about year one. The cost is same as granite and looks just as beautiful. The Formica is the only cost saving thing we seem to have added with this house. The upgrade to solid surface was just too much for a utility room.