Countertops catch the eye when you first walk into the kitchen, and they provide a space for preparing meals, eating, and entertaining. Choosing the right material is essential. Out of all the materials we offer, granite is what we’re going to shine a light on in this article.
What Is Granite?
Before we dive into the pros and cons, here’s a brief rundown on granite: (a) it has been popular for the last twenty years or so, (b) it’s an igneous rock formed beneath the earth’s surface, (c) it’s composed mostly of quartz and feldspar, and (d) its trace minerals determine its unique colorations.
Granite is most often used for countertops, stairs, fireplace mantels, tiling, and many high-end construction projects. Fun fact: Mount Rushmore is made of mostly granite!
Pros of Granite
The main advantages of granite countertops are their attractiveness, low maintenance, and durability. But there are actually plenty more benefits to this material beyond that.
Other granite pros include the following:
- It’s all natural.
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- Granite contains no synthetic additives that are found in many other countertop materials.
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- It has a natural appearance.
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- Every slab of granite is one of a kind. You won’t find two that are the same. They provide a warm and luxurious look and are available in both light and dark shades.
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- There’s variety.
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- There are tons of design options when it comes to granite. Each slab is special and has its own veins and small flecks in its pattern. You can find granite slabs in black, white, gray, beige, gold, pink, and blue.
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- It’s resistant to heat.
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- Since granite is formed under such intense heat within the earth, hot pots and pans are no big deal. (Although we do recommend still using a hot pad to stay safe!)
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- It’s resistant to scratches.
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- Granite is more likely to dull your knife than to be scratched by the blade.
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- It’s resistant to stains.
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- Especially when granite is sealed, it holds up especially well against stains. But always remember to clean up spills ASAP!
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- It’s low maintenance.
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- Granite does not require any special daily care, and it can be cleaned with mild all-purpose cleaners, granite-specific cleaners, or simply soap and water.
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- It has a diverse price range.
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- When granite was first gaining popularity, it was ultra-expensive and only available for high-end mansions. Now it’s more widely available and the price varies significantly between slabs.
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- It adds value.
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- Granite can add resale value to your home, especially if you are using it to replace a material like laminate or tile.
Cons of Granite
There is plenty to love about granite countertops, but there are certain disadvantages to using this material.
Granite cons include the following:
- It could look dated.
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- Since the most recent trend is bright, white kitchen countertops, the dark shades of granite could be seen as outdated.
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- It has a busy design.
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- Granite isn’t the best choice if you’re going for a minimalist aesthetic. In every slab, there are plenty of speckles and veining patterns—though some may be more extreme than others.
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- It has visible seams.
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- If your kitchen countertop is shaped like an L or a U, slabs will be cut and joined together, which creates seams. Good installers can minimize the appearance of seams, but there’s no getting rid of them. Of course, this isn’t a problem if you’re using granite for your kitchen island.
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- It needs to be sealed.
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- Since it’s a naturally porous stone, granite needs to be sealed in order to maintain its durability and liquid resistance. Regular resealing is necessary, though it is not a difficult process.
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- It can crack.
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- Cracks can occur if you drop something heavy, like a cast iron pan, onto your granite countertop—especially near the edges and around the sink cutout.
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- It’s heavy.
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- This material is very heavy, which means it should only be installed by professionals.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Granite
Granite is a great choice for almost any kitchen, but your choice depends on how you feel when you weigh the pros and cons. If you want to learn more about this stone, contact Legacy Tile & Granite today for a consultation.
