An Honest Review of Granite Countertops
January 4th, 2023 | 3 min read
If you are in the market for a new countertop, you are likely looking at granite as an option.
Purchasing any material without truly understanding its characteristics can lead to many problems.
As a kitchen and bathroom designer and remodeler in Mid-Michigan, we’ve installed hundreds of granite slabs for our clients. We want you to know what we know so you can make an informed decision for your kitchen or bathroom.
The information in this article was provided by Jeff Schei, the owner of Superior Granite in Carson City, Mi. He has over 14 years of experience working with granite countertops and is well-versed in all aspects of the material.
In this article, you will read our honest review of granite countertops including:
- Product info
- Price/cost info
- Pros and cons list
- Maintenance and care
- Is a granite countertop worth it?
Granite countertop product information
Granite is one of the most popular choices for countertops for many reasons including:
- Durability. Granite is an incredibly strong material that is heat, scratch, and chip-resistant. It holds up to the everyday stresses of pots, pans, knives, and countertop appliances.
- Color options. Granite is a natural stone product that comes in a wide variety of one-of-a-kind colors, patterns, and textures.
- Cost. Granite countertops are available at a wide range of price points to fit within many budgets.
- Heat resistance. Granite countertops are incredibly heat resistant and able to withstand direct contact with your hot pots and pans.
- Shape customization. Granite can be shaped to fit any lower cabinet layout. It is customizable yet strong enough to last a lifetime.
Price/cost information
Granite is available at many price points. When purchasing granite for your countertops, remember that your price will mainly be determined by the availability of the color and pattern you choose.
Prices for installed granite countertops typically start around $59 sq/ft and top around $120 sq/ft.
No matter the cost, granite’s qualities of strength and durability stay the same.
Pros and cons of granite countertops
Like any commercially available product, granite comes with its own set of pros and cons. Understanding these will help you decide if granite is the right material for your countertops.
Pros of granite countertops
- Lifetime durability: Granite will resist damage from heat, scratches, and chipping better than any other type of countertop. A well-maintained granite countertop will last a lifetime.
- Color and pattern variability: Because granite is a natural product, it comes in a limitless variety of unique colors, textures, and patterns. No two granite slabs can be exactly alike.
- Varying price points: Granite can be found at multiple price points to fit most budgets. The quality of the material is the same regardless of price.
Cons of granite countertops
- Maintenance is required: Granite countertops need to be sealed every 5 years as part of regular maintenance.
- More affordable options: While granite is affordable for your countertops, other options are more cost-effective, such as concrete, laminate, solid surface, or a butcher block.
- Must be professionally fabricated: To ensure a proper fit and finish, granite needs to be professionally measured and installed.
- Difficult to repair if damaged: While granite is very durable, extreme damage can result in chips to the stone which are very difficult to repair.
Maintenance and care
Granite will last a lifetime when well-maintained and cleaned routinely. A part of this regular maintenance is sealing the countertop.
Sealing is required because granite is a porous material and is susceptible to stains without that extra layer of protection. This maintenance will keep your countertop looking great for a lifetime.
Using a food-safe granite cleaner for everyday messes will keep that brand-new shine on your countertops.
Harsh cleaners with high acid content should be avoided as they can damage the sealer and make your countertops more susceptible to stains and scratches. Cleaners to avoid include: Bleach, Windex, disinfecting wipes, and Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner.
Is a granite countertop worth it?
If you are looking for a durable countertop product that looks great, will match your style, is more affordable, and will last you a lifetime, then granite could be for you.
Granite is one of the most popular countertop choices. While other options on the market perform similarly, its heat resistance and unique patterns make a fantastic product that will stand the test of time.
Next steps to purchasing a granite countertop
When planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, purchasing materials without doing proper research can lead to many problems. Getting an honest review of your home remodel materials before purchasing is a great step to ensure you choose the right selections for your project.
As a full-service home design and remodeling company serving the Mid-Michigan area, we enjoy sharing our 15+ years of experience to help you make an informed decision for your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project.
Want to see if Custom Built is right for your project? Book an appointment with our sales team about your kitchen or bathroom remodel.
To learn more about kitchen or bathroom remodeling, consider checking out the following articles:
Michael brings over 2 decades of building and remodeling experience to his position as the Owner and Visionary of Custom Built. Michael’s passion to make an impact on the home building industry has led him to serve for over ten years at the local and state Home Builders Association, culminating as President of the HBA of Michigan in 2020.
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