Why is Granite Used in the Kitchen?
Author: Rick Worst | Editor: Omar Alonso
Review & Research: Jen Worst & Chris Miller
Granite is an extremely popular choice for kitchen countertops due to its long-lasting durability. Moreover, it offers versatility and beauty thanks to its wide range of colors and patterns. It is one of the hardest natural stones available for home improvement projects and it is highly resistant to scratches and heat stains which makes it an ideal option for high-traffic areas such as kitchens.
Its resistance and durability combine to meet the needs of kitchens without a problem. Alongside its practical abilities, granite adds a touch of elegance to the kitchen, creating a sophisticated atmosphere.
Why Granite is the Material Choice for Kitchens
Let's run through the amazing qualities of granite to understand why granite is used in the kitchen and in bathrooms so commonly.
Durability
Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons why granite is such a popular option for kitchens is its durability. It is formed within the crust of the earth through a slow process of crystallization. The immense heat and pressure that creates granite as we know it, also makes it hight resistant to heat and pressure. Granite is a very dense and hard stone.
It ranges from 6-7 in the Mohs Scale of hardness depending on the origin of the specific slab, making it one of the hardest natural stones. This strength and density make it highly resistant to scratches, cracks, and chipping. In other words, it can withstand the daily wear and tear of a busy kitchen with ease and resists all but granite cutting tools. Granite countertops offer a reliable surface on which you can accomplish any chore such as cooking or doing dishes.
As mentioned before, through its creation process, granite takes away the ability to resist high heat. This is an especially important factor considering that in kitchens you would want to place hot pans and pots on the countertops without having to worry about causing damage to them.
Granite shines with its durability as it can resist heat levels that would cause scorch marks to other, less durable alternatives. Granite provides a reliable surface that won’t suffer any change or lose structural integrity as a result of hot items being placed on the countertops.
Although the stone itself is highly resistant to heat, the sealant that is applied on top as a protective barrier might not be. Therefore we would still recommend using a trivet before placing hot pans or pots on the countertops. However, even if the heat caused damage to the sealant, you can rest assured that the stone will be intact and you can just reapply the sealant.
Another thing to take into consideration when considering kitchen countertop materials is the inevitable spills and the potential stains they can cause.
During cooking or cleaning in the kitchen, all kinds of splatters can happen. With granite countertops, you won’t have to worry about the unfortunate consequences of such mishaps. Thanks to the stain resistance of sealed granite countertops, you can wipe the spill off easily. Even liquids that are most likely to cause stains such as coffee and wine won’t be a problem for sealed granite.
You can use a paper towel to soak the spill completely and then use a soft clean cloth to wipe the remnants to maintain the unblemished beauty of the granite countertops.
Easy to Maintain
Within the daily hustle and bustle of daily life, it might be hard to make time to clean all the time. Moreover, kitchens can be notoriously hard to maintain and keep clean. With sealed granite countertops, you are removing the need to spend copious amounts of time scrubbing the countertops to thoroughly clean them or use a lot of elbow grease to remove deeply ingrained stains.
Sealed granite countertops are very low-maintenance and they don’t require special products. You can wipe the countertops regularly using mild dish soap and a soft cloth, and that's it. You can do a deep cleaning every once in a while but a quick wipe down daily is all you need to do for regular maintenance.
Aesthetic Appeal
Alongside its many practical advantages, granite also offers many aesthetic benefits and styles to choose from. It is captivating for homeowners and interior decorators with the wide variety of colors and patterns it offers. Moreover, as it is a natural stone, each slab has a unique beauty that cannot be replicated on any other stone. In other words, all granite countertops are one of a kind.
Black granite countertops with bold veins can bring drama and character to the kitchen it is installed in. On the other hand, white granite countertops with softer and more dainty veins can be a sign of subtle elegance and sophistication. There are granite slabs that will fit every design taste and personal preference. Some people even paint their granite countertops (not a great choice in my opinion). The point is, the freedom is there to do what you want.
Resale Value
When home improvements are considered, the resale value they add cannot be ignored. After spending a lot of money and time researching, choosing, and buying new countertops, it is only natural that you would want to see a return on that investment.
Granite is a premium material that will prove itself to be an amazing investment as it is very durable and has a timeless beauty. If you were to ever resell your home, it would enhance the general marketability of the home and increase the resale value. Moreover, its beauty would bring in a lot of attention from potential buyers, ensuring an eye-catching selling point.
Versatility
Of all the countertop materials to choose from, granite countertops are highly versatile and can seamlessly blend in with many design aesthetics. It can fit in with the charm of rustic and traditional kitchens, or it can be paired with sleek and contemporary design choices.
You can implement stainless steel design elements and simple cabinetry with clean lines, granite will complement them beautifully with its understated design. On the other hand, you can accentuate the natural and organic aspects of granite with other earthy elements such as wood cabinetry and decorative plants.
With a wide range of edge profiles and finishes, you are guaranteed to have granite countertops that you can customize until they reflect your personal style and evoke the feelings you desire.
In short, granite countertops are a timeless classic and they shine with their unmatched durability that combines perfectly with their timeless beauty and allure. It boasts amazing resistance against scratches, chips, heat, and stains that will make sure that the countertops will last you a lifetime.
That's Why We Choose Granite for Kitchen Countertops
If you are interested in implementing amazing granite countertops in your kitchen, choose a high quality provider such as Keystone Marble and Granite. Like other leaders in the industry, Keystone offers a wide range of granite options and their amazing customer care will help you pick just the right one for your kitchen.
Moreover, their experienced installers will ensure that the countertops are fitted perfectly to your kitchen, which will make the countertops even more long-lasting and durable. If you are interested in elevating the beauty of your kitchen with granite countertops, visit the website of Keystone Marble and Granite to learn more about their products or services or granite countertops in general.