Granite Countertops
When you are upgrading your kitchen or bathroom, you want to choose countertops that are durable, beautiful and require the least amount of maintenance. Granite countertops offer all of these benefits and more. One thing to keep in mind is that when you are remodeling your home, your kitchen and bathrooms offer a very high return on your investment. In fact, depending on what you do in those rooms, you could see as high as a 90 percent return on the investment you make for the upgrade.
Nowadays there are many different types of countertop materials you can use, granite and quartz countertops being but a few of them. Each countertop material provide different benefits, so it’s important to weight that information to determine what will work best for you and your family.
As always, we are here to help answer any questions you may have about installing granite counters in your kitchen.
Durability of Granite
Granite is second only to diamonds as far as hardness which means granite kitchen countertops can last forever as long as they are properly installed and maintained. Granite is also resistant to heat which means you can place a hot pan on the surface directly from the stove without using a hot pad or trivet. This is not recommended, not because the heat will damage the counter but because grit on the bottom of a pan could scratch the surface. Although granite can crack or scratch, repairs are possible as long as the damage is not significant.
Maintenance Requirements
Granite countertops do require sealant, but when they are sealed based on the manufacturer’s recommendation, they will resist bacteria and stains for a long period. Cleaning is simple, requiring nothing more than mild soap and water. Although you may need to have the countertop sealed periodically, the process is fairly simple and granite companies nearby are able to provide you with this service on a regular basis. As long as the countertop is sealed, the counters will resist stains, although you do want to wipe up spills of acidic materials, such as coffee, wine and juices, quickly to avoid risking any damage.
Return on Investment
The National Association of Realtors has listed granite as one of the top kitchen trends for 2021, but granite has been popular for quite some time. Because granite lasts significantly longer than laminate or other types of counters, the return on investment is relatively high. Some experts claim that granite can last as long as 100 years if it is maintained properly while other stones, like marble, are estimated to last about 20 years. In addition, granite kitchen countertops or granite in a bathroom may also increase the value of your home. In some cases, the return on your investment may be as high as 100 percent when it comes time to sell.
Sustainability
Granite is a sustainable product as one quarry site can provide stone for many projects over centuries. Once quarried, very little processing is necessary while engineered stone, like quartz, requires significant processing that could release toxic substances into the atmosphere.
Slabs and Seams
No two slabs of granite are the same as each slab is created in nature. If you have a very large counter area, that could mean your counters will look different depending on where you stand. Most granite counters have between two and three seams, although it may be possible to create your counter without a seam if it is smaller. Granite companies nearby should be able to create custom color epoxy to adhere the seams so they are virtually unnoticeable.
Sink and Backsplash Options
Most people choose an undermount sink for their granite counters as this allows you to wipe spills or crumbs directly into the sink without catching it on a lip. You can use any type of sink, including cast iron, stainless or a solid surface. It may also be possible to have a sink fabricated to match your granite. Coved backsplashes common with laminate countertops are not possible with granite. Usually, the fabricator will use a four-inch portion of the stone slab to create a backsplash which is then adhered to the counter. It is possible that you may need to reinforce your lower cabinets as granite is much heavier than laminate and other types of countertop.
Color Limits
It is important to note that you are limited in granite color tile to those that can be created in nature. There are no solid or extremely bright colors found in granite. However, that does not mean there are not a wide range of colors available in granite. You do want to see the exact slab that will be used for your counter and not just a photo as you want to be sure the colors are exactly what you want.
Granite continues to be one of the most popular countertop options for homeowners, something that is not likely to change in the foreseeable future. If you are looking for granite in your kitchen, bath or other area of your home, contact us today by filling out our easy online form or give us a call today to learn how we can help.
