National-Consumer Reports In high-end kitchen renovations, granite remains the countertop of choice. But sales of man-made, engineered stone are also on the rise. Consumer Reports tested both, as well as several other types of countertops, to find the best.
In granite warehouses, great slabs of stone are lifted into position. Then customers hand pick the piece they want for their own unique countertop.
Some of the granite is highly polished, other is called honed and has a matte finish.
Consumer Reports tested both types, along with engineered stone and several other kinds of countertops, to see how well they resist all sorts of common stains.
Celia Lehrman says the honed and polished granite performed the same, "They both did a good job of resisting stains. |