Granite Countertops

What Are Granite Countertops?

Granite countertops are among the most preferred kitchen countertops because of their solid, durable, and resistant material and affordable prices for all budgets. Granite is particularly a rock, mainly composed of minerals such as feldspar, quartz, and mica, which make it easy to have granite with different textures and finishes, for example, honed, brushed, polished, and even sandblasted granite countertops.

Pros And Cons Of Having Granite Countertops

Granite countertops offer more advantages compared to their counterparts, from patterns to toughness.

Granite Countertops Pros

• They are durable against chemicals. If something corrosive spills on them, you don’t need to worry about its toughness.
• These types of countertops are 100 percent recyclable.
• Because granite is a natural stone, granite countertops have excellent heat resistance. You won’t encounter burnt black spots when you put a hot pan directly onto your countertop.
• In terms of scratches, they are very good at withstanding them. Granite is one of the toughest stones, scoring 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, a test used to evaluate a material’s toughness.
• Granite countertops are excellent for people who look for color harmony in their kitchens and suit best with the correct backsplashes.
• Once granite kitchen countertops are sealed, they will be resistant to bacteria and further contamination until the next seaming process.
• Granite countertops are the most commonly used kitchen countertops with undermount sinks. You can directly wipe and clean any unwanted crumbs and spills without being caught up in the tip of the surface mount sink.
• In a giant granite slab, you won’t encounter seams that will disrupt the harmony of the granite countertops.

Granite Countertops Cons

• Granite countertops require regular sealing to avoid contamination, once every 1 or 2 years, creating maintenance costs and occupying time.
• Some granite countertops’ prices might be high according to their high quality.
• They are not DIY-friendly and require professional installation, which will increase their overall price.

Types And Designs Of Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are made of natural stones, and each granite slab has different patterns and textures. So you don’t need to think about having the same countertop as your neighbors. The 3 most common types of granite countertops are Kashmir White, with the white marble-looking granite and its clean look; The Black Galaxy, a granite with dots of white color, resembling the universe in your kitchen and Absolute Cream, with its traditional mixture of black and white with touches of yellow.

Granite countertops offer a wide range of color options as well. Each granite slab has its base color, usually black, gray, or white. Each has its pattern and hue, having mixtures of colors, resulting in brown, gold, or even traditional wood.

How Much Do Granite Countertops Cost?

The overall price for granite countertops can differ substantially based on the quality of the stone, its size, and the countertop’s shape. In addition, the specific type and brand of your slab will also affect the price. Despite these facts, granite countertops, including installation, cost between 2 and 4 thousand dollars.