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The kitchen is one of the most renovated areas of the house, stone countertops being one of the most popular kitchen countertop materials. But making your choice among all the types of stone countertops can become a real headache.

Different Types of Stone Countertops

Choosing the right countertop material for your kitchen is essential, as it is one of the space’s primary features. Just keep in mind that since you are going to be cooking and washing dishes in that area, it’s going to be exposed to moisture, hot pans, stains and scratches. Hence, you need to go for a durable, scratch and stain resistant type of stone countertop. Here’s all you need to know to make the right choice for you.

Granite Kitchen Countertop

Granite is a favourite among designers, architects and clients who are renovating their kitchen. Its natural look and unique appearance really stands out in a kitchen. 

What are the Pros & Cons of Granite? 

As with any type of kitchen countertop material, granite has its pros and its cons. Let’s have a look.

Granite is a highly durable material, that resists easily to scratches, stains and heat damage. Although it is a bit pricey, hence why it was mostly found in luxury homes, its supply has increased in recent years. This definitely contributed to making this material more affordable, so more people can enjoy it in their homes. It also helps that there are more and more alternatives to granite, which also had an impact on its price.

Keep in mind that even if granite is a top-quality and highly-resistant kitchen countertop material, it is more porous than other types of stone countertops, like quartz. It is then recommended to reseal it at least once a year.   

Nonetheless, granite remains a high-quality and premium kitchen countertop material option, that can elevate any kitchen with just a quick renovation and add real-estate value to your home.

Engineered Stones & Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Engineered stones, by definition, are the types of stone countertops materials that are not 100% natural, and that have exclusively been manufactured to be used as countertops. They are probably the most durable kitchen countertop materials out there, since they have been specifically designed for your kitchen needs in terms of heat, scratch, and stain resistance. 

What are the Pros & Cons of Quartz? 

Quartz’ popularity has risen in the past few years. It’s high durability, non-porosity and resemblance with marble (and even granite), has made it a star amongst the available types of stone countertop materials.

Quartz is made of individual quartz crystals, that have been fused together with resin. This means that if you compare different available types of stone countertops, quartz is almost indestructible. It is absolutely non-porous, making it one of the easiest kitchen countertop materials to maintain. 

Although quartz is a bit less heat-resistant than granite and quartzite, it remains an extremely durable kitchen countertop material. It is also available in a variety of designs, colours and textures: a dream come true for renovators and interior designers. 

Quartzite Kitchen Countertops

Quartzite is a highly durable natural stone, that can provide a beautiful and unique appearance to your kitchen countertops. It is a lesser known material option, as it is a bit pricier than other types of stone countertops.

What’s interesting, is that quartzite has a denser composition compared to granite and quartz, which makes it even more resistant to scratches, chips, and stains. This particular aspect can make up for the prince difference with other types of stone countertops. 

Quartzite also resembles marble, which is a big selling point for those who appreciate this type of stone countertop appearance, as it adds a luxurious feeling to your kitchen decor.

Where to Shop the Most Durable Countertops

If you’re shopping for durable kitchen countertops, the best thing to do, is to visit a stone countertop specialist in your area that will be able to listen to your needs, and give you the best advice.

Méga Comptoirs is one of the best kitchen countertop online stores in Canada. Although we take pride in our seamless and unique online ordering system, we also have a slab yard located in Laval that you can visit any day of the week.

We have a wide variety of granite and quartz slabs onsite, which you can see in person. This can help you get a more precise idea of the material’s look and feel, and help you visualize it in your kitchen.

At Méga Comptoirs, we also know how much of a headache renovations can be, so we do the measurements and installation for free! We want you to keep a happy memory of this exciting new stage in your life.