Granite countertops around the kitchen sink have a number of benefits for those looking for a hard-wearing surface, it has been suggested. Writing for Examiner.com, Broderick Perkins listed a granite countertop as the second-best material for the kitchen, with only quartz rating higher. Noting that the surface needs sealing to achieve best performance, he stated It can withstand heavy use and it resists heat and scratches.Other top-ranked kitchen materials included ceramic or porcelain tiles and laminate, with the former benefiting from low prices and heat resistance for locations near the stove and the latter best for easy installation and resisting stains. Mr Perkins rated marble as providing the least durable surface for an intense kitchen atmosphere due to the fact it scratches easily and needs frequent sealing. Earlier this month, Andy Tabor wrote for the Lakewood Observer that granite provides an attractive and cost-effective alternative to quartz or stone worktops.