There’s a reason everyone “oohs” and “ahhs” over granite countertops—they have timeless style and durability to boot. No matter the reason for the upgrade (remodel, damage, new home), granite is a surface that can bring value and beauty to whatever space you choose. Keep reading to learn the seven key benefits of choosing granite countertops for your next kitchen remodel.
Unlike synthetic countertops, granite is created by nature. Each granite slab has unique fissures, swirls, and flecks of shiny iron bits. There may be 10 slabs at a showroom—all from the same quarry—with wildly varying characteristics. If you have a granite countertop in your kitchen, you know you have a piece that is truly one-of-a-kind.
Quality kitchen elements like granite counters make your space look more high-end and updated. Granite counters attract potential buyers, as they know they’re getting something they won’t have to update when they move in. The more turnkey a home is, the higher its value will be.
Different countertops have different prices, care requirements, and durability. Granite has a very high hardness rating. This means it can stand up to scratches and accidents better than other options (especially marble). For active families and busy kitchens, this is an exceptionally valuable feature.
When considering natural stone versus synthetic stone countertops, natural stones like granite are the more sustainable option. This is because they require minimal processing before they make it to your kitchen. Synthetic materials call for a lengthier and more complex production process, which may include toxic chemicals and releasing harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
Though granite countertops are highly resilient, accidents happen. Luckily, even if your granite counters get cracked or chipped, they are usually repairable. A countertop repair pro near you can often use filler materials to get your granite looking good-as-new again. If a heavy pot slips from your hands, or if a glass jar falls from your cabinet, it’s nice to have that extra peace of mind.
When choosing the right countertop, you can’t go by looks alone. You’ll also need to consider how well it’ll hold up against spaghetti sauce, red wine, or other spills. It’s also important that countertops don’t absorb all the icky germs and bacteria from raw meat during meal prep. Provided they get sealed properly at least once a year, your granite counters will wipe clean of all these messes.
Since granite gets formed naturally via pressure and heat, granite counters have built-in heat resistance. While it’s still a good idea to use potholders, you won’t have to worry about the scorching you’d get with other countertop varieties. Get in touch with a top-rated countertop installer near you to learn more.
If you’re shopping for natural stone countertops, you’ve probably considered granite and quartz varieties. While both of these stones are extremely durable, the biggest difference between quartz and granite is that granite stays true to its color the longest. Quartz can become discolored over time if left in direct sunlight. If you have a skylight in your kitchen, or just a lot of natural sun coming in, this is definitely something to think about
Beautiful, hygienic, and low-maintenance, engineered stone makes an ideal eco-friendly countertop surface.
Many new homeowners nowadays care about making eco-friendly choices. And when it comes to countertops, engineered stone is one of the most environmentally sensitive choices you can make. An alternative to natural stone cut from pure marble or granite, this factory-made composite features crushed stone (often quartz crystals in countertops and marble in wall and flooring products) bound in slab form with an adhesive or resin. In fact, because of the high percentage of quartz crystals found in countertops, the material is often simply called quartz.
Slabs used in the kitchen should be acid-resistant and non-absorptive, and a variety of products on the market made with crushed quartz crystals—including options from cambria, Silestone, Caesarstone —fit the bill. Most engineered stones are fantastic for high-wear uses such as kitchen countertops. The types and sizes of the components used to make the engineered stone that will determine its best uses. An engineered surface with large chunks of marble, for example, will be limited in performance to the pieces of marble it contains.
Unlike solid surfacing or plastic laminate, which are temperature-sensitive and can catch fire, engineered stone resists heat well. And unlike some other surfaces—even natural stones—engineered ones resist stains from liquids like wine or coffee.
Strong, durable, and attractive, engineered stone is very consistent in look and pattern. The non-porous surface is easy to maintain and heat-resistant, too. Some products can be specified as bacteria-resistant and not others, but since all are non-absorptive and resistant to heat, they should not be collecting bacteria in the first place.
Beyond brute strength and heat resistance, these man-made products come in a myriad of shades and styles. Some engineered stones are made to look like limestone or marble, enabling you to get the natural coloring and texture you want but with better performance. This also makes engineered stone counters a fine stand-in when you prefer to use recycled materials or protect natural resources like real marble. Plus, many contractors are familiar with the products and will install them properly.
It’s hard to create curves with engineered stone, but as far as typical countertop designs go, there’s nothing you can’t do with these products that you can accomplish with conventional stone. In fact, we’ve pushed the limits with edge and corner details and other shapes in engineered stone materials.
Generally about $60 to $100 per square foot installed.
With engineered stone, you pay for good performance and a long lifetime. Some colors and patterns are more expensive than others, but others can be quite affordable (I even put one of these in my own house).
Plus, while it’s expensive—definitely more so than plastic laminates—no more so than many natural stone slabs and solid surface materials. But consider this: For years we were specifying white marble with no veins, which looks great but is very expensive. Now to get that white look, we can use engineered stones, which look exactly the same as marble side by side but don’t cost as much. There are lots of suppliers, and the product delivers a consistent look.