Using granite for your kitchen countertops is one way you can transform your kitchen and make it glamorous. Today, countertops have evolved beyond fundamental kitchen surfaces to items indicative of one’s style. Few natural stones are as pleasing to the eye as granite, which also offers versatility as a popular countertop installation material.
This beautiful, unique, and natural-looking stone comes in various colors, and you can even personalize it to suit your style and preference. Read on to learn the five benefits of using granite kitchen countertops.
1. Resists Scratching and Chipping
One of the key benefits of granite is that it wins first prize for hard and durable countertop surfaces. It scores 6 out of 7 on the Mohs’ hardness scale or chart used to rate hardness based on ability to scratch or sustain scratches.
Due to its hardness, granite is scratch and chipping resistant, and it stands up admirably to wear and tear when compared to Formica and other common countertop options.
A good indicator of granite’s hardness is evidenced in the fact that you can cut on it without causing any damage to your counter. However, we highly discourage chopping on it because it’ll dull your knives.
2. Resists Moisture and Stains
Granite is well known for its natural resistance to moisture, making it a perfect countertop material.
That said, granite is not waterproof, and being a stone, it’s naturally porous. It absorbs bits of moisture, although it’s nowhere near the same as other stones like limestone or sandstone.
For this reason, many may have some trepidation about granite’s suitability as a countertop (after all, as affordable as it is, nobody wants to keep replacing their counters every few years.) However, if properly sealed, granite doesn’t absorb fluids or the stains they can cause.
Interestingly, darker granites are generally very dense and may not even require treating. In comparison, lighter granites tend to be more porous and may need multiple sealer coats to make them stain resistant.
Either way, it’s recommended that you reseal your countertops every one to two years to prevent them from allowing liquids such as wine, juices, and acidic solutions to seep in and form stains.
3. Increases Home Value
Granite countertops have been a leading trend since the 1980s when people regarded them as a luxury too expensive for the average homeowner.
However, with time, production increased, with more countries quarrying, refining, cutting, and shipping it, leading to less cost. Since then, it’s grown in popularity, taking the cake as people’s choice for countertops and a must-have trend.
For this reason, when remodeling your home, investing in your kitchen and installing marble countertops is one way of increasing its value. Granite adds to the beauty and comfort of a kitchen, making it more appealing.
4. It’s Versatile
Another benefit of using granite is that it comes in several color types, providing a wide range of choices. And what’s more, if none of the colors suit your taste, you can send us your project details so we can help you find the perfect color.
Granite also provides you an opportunity to stand out. That’s because, more to the many colors available, it’s easy to personalize granite to size and specifications unique to you.
You can also opt to have the granite polished for a sleek, elegant look, ideal for a minimalist kitchen, or a rough surface with chiseled edges for a rustic look. Additionally, granite provides added variety in brushed or antique countertops.
Transform Your Kitchen
If you’re looking to upgrade your home with premium granite countertops, Washington Marble Works has you covered. Since 1984, we’ve been providing first-class fabrication and service to Pierce, King, Thurston, and Kitsap counties. Contact us today for more information.
