Homeowners should ensure their kitchen countertops are made of a durable material if they wish to maintain both form and function, it has been argued.A report in the Edmonton Journal suggests the kitchen is a battleground in which the first line of defence is usually the countertop.It noted that the countertop is the most exposed surface in the kitchen, susceptible to regular spills, heat from cooking implements, household germs, surface chips and gouges from utensils.The report therefore urged homeowners to select an appropriate surface, adding A damaged counter top is not only aesthetically unpleasant to the eye, it can contribute to a potentially dangerous culinary environment.Speaking to interiors consultant Lousie Gordey, it was revealed that quartz countertops remain the hardest kitchen surface option at present.Ms Gordey also noted that environmentally-conscious homeowners can now choose from a wide range of countertops made from recycled materials.Last week, Azcentral.com reported on a kitchen renovation project whereby a couple installed a kitchen island with a trough sink and taps at both ends to make the room more suitable for multiple cooking tasks.