Find the perfect countertops for your kitchen and bathroom
Granite countertops are unique in:
- Colour.
- Pattern.
- Style.
They are also heat and scratch resistant, so you can use your countertops to for cutting and placing hot products, within reason.
However, there may be some reasons granite may not be the perfect choice for your home. It might not be the exact look you want and might not be the best surface for your budget.
We love the stuff and no client has ever come back unhappy with their choice. But a big part of shopping for new countertops is knowing the options available so you can make an educated buying decision and go home happy.
We carry:
- Granite
- Quartz
- Solid surface
Knowing the differences between each helps families like yours set their own expectations, and clear expectations will help your family find the perfect new countertops.
One-of-a-kind. Granite.
Granite is 100% natural stone taken straight from the earth.
- It comes in an almost endless variety of rich colours.
- The pattern is always totally unique. Nobody will have the same granite countertop as you.
- It can be polished to a high gloss.
- The surface is smooth.
- Seams can be visible, but a skilled installer and the right colour can hide them nicely.
- Granite is pourous, so you must apple a sealing product every year. If you don’t, stains and bacteria can set in.
- Serious durability means granite doesn’t crack or scorch easily.
- Generally, granite is not sold under a brand name.
Bottom line – if you want a durable, attractive and one-of-a-kind countertop, and don’t mind a little maintenance, granite is an excellent choice.
No maintenance, high-end appearance. Quartz.
Some call it quartz. Some call it engineered stone. What is it actually?
It’s the man-made version of granite. It’s a combination of natural minerals combined with a mix of resins to create a super-hard, attractive surface.
- It’s sold under a variety of brand names
- Colour and design options are massive
- The actual material consists of about 10% resin binders and 90% granite, marble, stone, ceramic, glass or other materials.
- Arguably the most popular countertop material today
- A nice combination of natural appearance with more predictable, repeatable patterns
- The surface can be buffed to a high, smooth gloss
- It is not pourous, so it requires no sealing and resists staining indefinitely
- It is price competitive with granite – more affordable in many cases
- Like granite, the seams can be hidden by a good installer working with the right colour and pattern
- Highly durable, but susceptible to scorching at extremely high temperatures (very uncommon)
Bottom line – A solid stone countertop requiring no maintenance, quartz is a very popular choice for working kitchens as well as those more interested in an attractive, consistent appearance.
Simple, attractive, functional, affordable. Solid surface.
Laminate used to be the go-to budget countertop. But the cost competitiveness and superior performance has pushed solid surface ahead.
- Its primary selling point is price. It can be close to half the cost of other countertop materials.
- Lots of colour and design options.
- Surface appearance is always matted – shiny solid surface countertops show scratches instantly.
- Feels soft to the touch.
- It is susceptible to scratches and burns, but can also be sanded to remove damage.
- Many brand name manufacturers competing for sales.
- Requires no regular maintenance.
- Doesn’t last as long as stone countertops.
Bottom line – A simple, affordable countertop that looks and performs better than laminate. Choose solid surface when you want a predictable look, good performance and highly competitive pricing.
You can take a look at a selection of granite, quartz and solid surface countertops online today, or stop by and see the selection for yourself!
