There are many reasons that granite is amongst the hottest high-end options for the kitchen and bathroom. Their popularity seems to have staying power (and may be growing!) as new granite countertop options are made available for home remodeling. Here are the 5 benefits of installing granite countertops.
Granite is Tough and Durable
Granite is rock-hard, literally. It’s second only to diamond in terms of the hardness of natural materials. When properly installed, it will be the last countertop you ever need. If you replace it down the road, it will be because you want to and not because you have to. It resists chipping, scratching, and cracking. Because of their hardness, granite countertops are also heat resistant. While it’s not recommended, if you occasionally set a hot pan or tray directly on the countertop, it won’t damage it the way it would laminate, wood and other softer materials.
Maintenance is Easy
Granite countertops must be properly sealed, and that’s why it’s a great idea to have an experienced professional do the installation. But when sealed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, the granite countertop will resist staining and bacteria. You can also seal them yourself. This makes cleanup easy using soap and water, or with a cleaner designed for your granite. Get to spilled juice quickly – which you should do with ANY countertop material – and you’ll enjoy a stain-free counter surface that looks like new for decades.
Granite Boosts a Home’s Value
New granite countertops make your home more valuable as well as more attractive. The return on your investment can be as high as 100%. That means they’ll potentially increase your home’s market value by the amount you spend on them.
Here’s another way to look at it. If potential buyers are looking at two homes and your home has granite countertops while the other one doesn’t, the granite might make the difference in which home they select.
They’re a Great Long-Term Investment
While you’re enjoying your countertops made from granite over the next 30+ years, one neighbor might be replacing their laminate counters three times while another replaces wood countertops twice and has them refinished a few times. Here’s the point: In the long-run, granite countertops are a very cost-effective solution for many homeowners.
Granite Countertops Offer Stunning Beauty
This is why you’re considering them, right? For all their other qualities, what really stands out about granite counters are their gorgeous appearance. The natural appeal of the stone, with its textured, gently-hued beauty, is unsurpassed by most any other material.
Conclusion
Granite counters work well in the kitchen and bathroom. The key is to have them installed by an experienced professional who will properly seal them. They still need to be sealed even if they’ve already been installed. Make sure to hire an experienced professional, or do it yourself. Keep your granite counter tops maintained, and they’ll continue to give you outstanding beauty and performance in the decades ahead.