Check and see if the material you are looking for is a good fit for your lifestyle. For example, we often find many first time home buyers opt for wood countertops in their kitchen. They do this, not knowing that it is not the best material for their culinary habits. In time, what they will be left with is a countertop which has been chipped. Since countertops come in many metals and stones, knowing what material is best for your lifestyle is extremely important.