Gorgeous Cirrus White Granite countertop by Living Stone Granite. 

What’s So Great About Granite?

Q: While shopping for my kitchen remodel, I’ve been reading about how granite is statistically the “top seller” when it comes to kitchen countertops. Is this true? There are so many cool new products that I’m learning about. What is it about granite that makes it so great?

A: It is true that granite has been the top choice in kitchen countertops for decades. Granite offers a richness and depth that brings a real sense of luxury to the kitchen—or wherever it’s used in the home. Granite offers a unique beauty that’s timeless. It can take a kitchen remodel to the next level and often serves as the centerpiece of the room. However, what you say is accurate. There are some products out there today that offer more durability and less maintenance. The short answer to your question is that it’s merely a matter of personal preference. For the longer answer, read on…

One of the great things about granite, in addition to its timeless beauty, is that every slab of granite is completely unique. No two slabs will ever be exactly the same, even those coming from the exact same quarry. Since it’s made up of many different types of crystals, the color of granite varies quite a bit depending on the minerals found in any given piece of stone. The most common colors include white, gray, black, pink, and orange, though you’ll occasionally see greens, browns, and blues as well. The host of colors and patterns to be found makes every countertop one-of-a-kind.

Granite is a very hard substance and it’s resistant to scratches and high temperatures. Granite is so strong that cutting on it will damage your knife before it harms your countertop. When properly sealed, granite can stand up to stains and every-day wear and tear. However, it does require regular sealing every so often to keep the stain resistance, and the over all look, in tip top shape. Sealing will also prevent granite from absorbing liquids from any spills.  You'll also want to use caution with acids such as wine or lemon juice for quartzite which is in the granite family.  They can create etch marks or dull spots.  And don’t be tempted to use harsh cleansers to clean granite countertops. Instead, clean with a soft cloth, warm water, and a mild cleanser such as your everyday dish soap or a cleaner made for stone such as Stone Tech Professional.

If you prefer a more low- or even no-maintenance surface, this might be a downfall of granite. Though sealing a granite countertop is an easy job, if you don’t want to deal with it annually, then a quartz surface, such as ColorQuartz might be a better fit for you, as it never requires sealing.

In sum, if you love the unique look of granite and you don’t mind giving your countertops a little TLC, granite is a wonderful choice for a countertop material. When well cared for, granite tops will last a lifetime. And though it does require annual sealing, it’s not an overwhelming task. If you can wipe down a countertop, you can seal it.

We’d be happy to help you explore your options further. Please come by one of our showroom locations in Westwood, MA or Milford, CT. Our professional stone experts can show you examples of granite slabs for your kitchen as well as demonstrate the difference between natural stone and manmade surfaces like quartz. We’re confident you’ll choose the kitchen countertop surface that’s perfect for your kitchen.