Laminates are the most cost effective type of work surface that you can buy for your kitchen.  Although they will never match the beauty and fatures of natural or manmade stone, there are definitely arguments for its use.  They can be made to almost any design and colour that you can think of and are scratch resistant, strong, water resistant, heat resistant, and very low maintenance. Different texture looks are available and granite, marble, travertine, and a range or woods can be easily resembled.