8 Shades Of Green

What is better? Granite, corian, or laminate countertops? Which cleans better and is of the lowest maintenence

Which will give us the most bang for our buck? Which shows crumbs less? Which looks the most expensive without being the most expensive. Which gives our home the most re-sale value? Which is eco-friendly? Anything out there made with re-cycled products? Thanks for your help, Val

Real estate advice:

1. Only install granite counters in homes worth more than 500,000.00. The investment won't pay off in cheaper homes, and compares to putting a $20.000.00 bathroom in a $180,000.00 home - a wasted investment, when 5K would have sufficed.

2. Corian is expensive, but an asset in mid price range homes (250K and up)

3. Vinyl comes in an array of inexpensive finishes that are durable and last for many years. The pre-cut lengths they have at the lumber stores are often the best sellers, and best value for the dollar.

4. Crumbs: Crumbs have nothing to do with counter material, and everything to do with color. Darker colors and solid colors show crumbs, whereas lighter colors and colors with swirls and small patterns dont.

We just rehabbed our 12 unit building last year with new kitchen / bath counters from home depot - stock selection - a creamy offwhite/beige/light taupe swirly pattern that looks better than some granite counters.

	Norpro 1 Gallon Stainless Steel Compost Keeper List Price: $69.99 Sale Price: $28.95 Used From: $19.73
	Stainless Steel Compost Pail Conveniently store food scraps in this odor-eliminating container before transferring them to an outside composter. The unit works great for egg shells, peelings, coffee grounds, and more, while its stainless-steel handle ensures simple transport...

	Totally Bamboo Double Salt Box List Price: $27.95 Sale Price: $25.95 Used From: $17.70
	Fast-growing in nature, bamboo is also fast-growing in popularity as one of the best renewable resources available. Totally Bamboo prides itself on using only hand-selected, China-grown "moso" bamboo, which is not a food source or habitat for the giant panda, and which grows to harvestable size in just 3 to 5 years...

	Better Housewares DrainFOREST Bamboo Dish Rack/Drainer List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $29.53
	This stylish Bamboo Dish Drainer can fit on a narrow kitchen counter. Made from bamboo with stainless steel handles and rods, the compact drainFOREST is just 4" wide. Bamboo dish rack slopes downward to drain into the sink...

	Next-RO Eco-friendly Reverse Osmosis System with FREE set of replacement filters List Price: $589.99 Sale Price: $499.99
	The Next-RO systems solve the problem of expensive bottled water and bulky reverse osmosis systems (the comparitive picture above). By using a zero back-pressure, water-on-water tank (1.5 gal) design, the system discharges up to 500% less waste water and produces filtered water up to 50% faster...