Granite, marble, and other high-end materials can be used for countertops, but a homeowner or builder should expect to pay a high price for them. For an attractive aesthetic and a high-quality surface, a copper countertop is a great choice, but there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to this material. A copper countertop will be less expensive than other options, and it will kill bacteria effectively; it is easy to clean, and it will be reasonably attractive. Installation, however, can be difficult, and the countertop will be susceptible to damage easily.
Copper is a relatively soft metal, which means the copper countertop will dent easily. It can also change color or fade after time, depending on what materials it comes in contact with. It may be possible to seal the copper to slow the fading process, but it is likely the metal will get dented, dinged, and faded over time regardless. The metal is also very easily dented or damaged during installation, though it helps if the copper countertop material is cut into smaller sheets during the installation process. The downside to cutting the sheets smaller, however, is the presence of seams in the material, which can be ugly and inconvenient.
The copper used during installation will generally come in sheets that are then glued with an adhesive to a solid block, often made of wood. This means installing the copper is not especially difficult, but installing it properly can be very difficult. If the copper is not installed correctly, bubbling may occur, which will lead to easy damage to the copper countertop. Dents and dings are much more likely if the copper is not glued down flat to the material beneath.
Many types of copper are antimicrobial, which means bacteria will not build up on the surface. This is good news for a homeowner who wants to install a copper countertop in a kitchen where food is likely to come in contact with the surface. It is also easy to clean copper countertops using a wet rag with soap and water, though abrasive scrubs should be avoided, as the copper will scratch very easily. Scratching will end up fading the countertop much more quickly and negatively affecting the aesthetic of the space. The look of copper is unique and will add aesthetic value to a space, but keep in mind that aesthetic can change over time.