There are a number of reasons why so many homeowners today are still wild about incorporating granite countertops into their homes. It’s a fad that doesn’t appear to be dying off anytime soon. In fact, according to USA Today, 55% of all homebuyers said they were willing to pay more for a home with granite countertops, and the average amount they’re willing to pay more was around $1,620. So, why is granite still so popular? Listed below are the top 10 reasons why granite countertops are a great choice for your home.
- Granite is available in a wide array of colors
Granite has been around for thousands of years and comes directly from our earth. As a result, the colors you get are amazing. Granite is available in a large selection of colors and different kinds of naturally occurring patterns. This gives you the ability to truly customize your kitchen, bathroom, or another area of your home.
The different colors of granite all fall into two separate categories, light-colored granites and dark-colored granites. Some of the light-colored granites include Bianco, Kashmir White, and Romano, and some of the dark-colored granites consist of Absolute Black, Typhoon Bordeaux, and Costa Esmeralda. However, according to HDTV, the most popular shades are the neutral colored granites. These include the browns, beiges, golds, tans, and the cream colors too. The reason these colors are so popular is because they work well with just about any kitchen design.
- Granite is one of the most durable materials sold today
Granite is a really durable material and if properly cared for, will last for many years. When you take care of your countertops the right way, they’ll be resistant to chips, cracks, dings, and scratches. So, how do your properly care for your countertops?
The main method to preserving your granite is to seal them with a proper sealant. There are several products on the market. However, one of the best products sold is Granite Gold. This solution is a water-based product that creates a solid barrier which is ultra resistant. Granite Gold can be purchased at most home improvement stores for around $20 a bottle.
If you invest in a quality sealant product, you should only have to reseal your countertops every 2 to 3 years. Make sure you follow the directions precisely on the bottle and give the sealant adequate time to dry before you lay anything on the surface of your countertops.
- Granite is stain resistant
Unlike marble, as long as you seal your granite countertops, they will not stain when wine, grape fruit juice, or other acidity drinks are spilled onto the surface and not cleaned up right away. In addition to this, you don’t have to worry about harmful cleaning agents damaging the surface either. When you invest in granite, that just won’t be an issue.
- Granite is heat resistant
Another extremely cool benefit to granite countertops is their heat resistant qualities. If you love to cook, then granite is probably the best choice for your needs. Quartz for instance can be damaged severely if you place a hot pan, dish, or bowl onto the surface without a hot pad. Sometimes when you’re trying to run the microwave, the stove, and set the dinner table at the same time, you can forget to use a hot pad. When you choose granite, you can put those worries to rest.
- Granite has a non-porous surface.
Granite is a non-porous mater, and because of that, bacteria will not harbor onto it. In fact, the non-porous surface also prevents residue from accumulating in microscopic areas of the counter. This results in a cleaner home for you and your family.
Other kinds of countertops are not as good as granite when it comes to bacteria. For instance, wood countertops tend harbor dirt, grime, and other kinds of bacteria much more easily and must be consistently disinfected to maintain cleanliness. This is why granite is a wonderful choice for large or busy households.
- Granite countertops are form-fitting
The difficulty of installing a countertop really depends on the kind of material your countertop is made from. For example, most materials are not as form-fitting as granite. The edges of a wood countertop will usually be rough after you trim and shape the slab. As a result, you’ll have sand down the edges. Granite on the other hand tends to cut much smoother. You don’t have all the imperfections that many other materials acquire after cutting and forming them. The end product is a much better-looking countertop that’s easier to install.
- Granite has that natural look with a lot of depth
Like mentioned earlier, granite is a material that’s been around for thousand of years. It’s not man-made like quartz, and because of this, granite has a really natural look with a lot of depth. The best part? Each granite slab has its own pattern and is unique in its own way. No two granite slabs will ever be identical.
If you’re wanting to add that special look to your home, granite will help give your living space that timeless, elegant appearance that’ll never go out of style. Granite is truly beautiful and will continue to look great for several years to come.
- Granite works well in all areas of your home
Granite countertops don’t just look great and work well in a kitchen, they also are perfect for other areas of your home like the bathroom, a personal bar, or even an outdoor bar. The durability of granite also makes this material the perfect choice for your bathroom. Things like finger nail polish, a hot hair drier, and heavy metal clippers won’t damage the countertop or the vanity when they’re spilled, set, or dropped onto the surface. Plus, the non-porous surface will also prevent bacteria from harboring on the surface when people in your household brush their teeth, wash their face, shave, or even bandage a cut.
- Granite is easy to repair
Although granite is quite durable, especially after its been properly sealed, there’s always that chance of an accident. Luckily, granite is fairly easy to fix. According to HomeAdvisor.com, small chips and cracks can be repaired by using a DIY granite epoxy resin. This resin usually comes in a repair kit and cost any where from $35 to $84 and is quite easy to use. You don’t need to have home improvement experience to fix your granite countertop.
- 10.Granite will boost the value of your property
If you’re looking for a way to increase the overall worth of your home, incorporating granite countertops and vanities into your kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas of your living space, you’ll more than likely raise the value of your house. Like mentioned in the introduction, 55% of all people looking for a home are interested in properties with granite countertops. These interested home buyers are also willing to pay up to an average of $1,620 more for them.
The quality of the granite you put in your home will also determine how much your home will boost in value. According to HGTV, granite typically costs between $45 to $200 a square foot. If you want to minimize your cost, you can always invest in a thinner slab of granite with fewer modifications. The less modifications you have, the less your granite countertop will be.
A final thought
Anyone interested in investing in new countertops should seriously consider going with granite. Not only does granite have that classy, timeless, all-natural look, it’s also an investment that’ll add a lot of value to your home. With the right care, your investment will look great for several years to come.
