Besides beauty and style, your countertops need to be durable. Kitchens, in particular, are high traffic areas that see a lot of action, so you want to ensure you pick the best option for your kitchen countertops. Natural stone makes sense since rocks last for many years in nature, enduring a variety of weather conditions and use. But is natural stone the most durable option? Hilo’s Big Island Countertops explains how natural stone stacks up.

The most common natural stone option is granite. With a variety of color options available and requiring few seams—if any—granite slabs are an attractive option for any kitchen. Granite countertops are treated with a sealer to make them stain-resistant, and the durability of this stone makes them long-lasting. It is not, however, indestructible, and a few rules should be followed. Avoid dropping items onto the surface, especially heavy objects, and never stand on top of them. Always use a cutting board on your kitchen countertops when using a knife, and never place a hot pot directly onto the surface. Finally, you need reseal granite regularly to keep the surface protected.

If you are looking for a more durable option than natural granite, consider quartz. Popular as a countertop surface, quartz is sturdy and stain-resistant. Although still not completely indestructible, quartz countertops are stronger than granite and do not need to be regularly sealed. With quartz, you can have the look of granite with more durability and less maintenance. Where natural stone is mined, quartz countertops are fabricated. Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth, and countertops made from it are mixed with other materials such as polyester resin that give it its durability and scratch-resistant qualities.

Locally owned and operated, Big Island Countertops offers custom countertops for kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects in the Hilo and Kona areas. They will help you select the perfect countertops for your home and ensure the whole process, from design to installation, is a success. To learn more about their large inventory of kitchen countertops, cabinets, and other building supplies, visit them online or call (808) 961-6633.