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Marble countertops can last from 20 to 100 years, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking for durability. The life span depends on several factors, including how well you take care of your marble countertops. Marble is a porous material, so it can require more upkeep than other countertop options.

Baking soda can damage some countertops, but it makes an excellent mild abrasive for removing stains on other countertops. For example, never use baking soda on quartz or glass countertops, but you can use it on laminate and tile. Stay away from using it on quartz because it can scratch and damage the counter, and glass is prone to scratches. Since baking soda is a mild abrasive, you can only use it on certain surfaces.

If you are building a laminate countertop from scratch, instead of buying premade laminate countertops, you can use particle board underneath the laminate. You will need to use a sheet of particle board for the substrate, along with four-inch strips underneath the edges. For proper installation, make sure that any seams are level and use a sander as necessary before installing the laminate.

Engineered stone countertops range in price between $60 and $200 per square foot. The three main types are quartz, recycled glass, and sintered stone. The most affordable is sintered stone, which is ideal for outdoor kitchens and costs $60 to $100 per square foot.

Recycled glass countertops fall in the middle at $65 to $140 per square foot and offer a very distinct look. Meanwhile, quartz counters are on the higher end of the price range at $50 to $200 per square foot. Popular quartz options mimic the look of natural stones like marble and granite.