Granite has been used for countertops since the Roman Empire. Since then, various cultures have recognized granite's beauty, strength, and endurance. Granite is a popular choice for kitchen countertops due to its durability against heat and stains, its many colors that allow it to be blended easily with your other decorating choices, and the ease of maintaining it. Here are ten benefits of choosing granite countertops:
1. Durability
No matter how much you use your kitchen, the counters are going to hold up over time better than other materials will. The material stands up well against food spills, hot pans, or dishes straight from an oven or stovetop, heavy appliances like microwaves or refrigerators being placed on them-- even if the appliances are hot when they go on the counter, it won't leave a mark. Granite can also be cut or drilled with ease and then glued onto existing surfaces with little to no need for professional assistance. However, the material can be quite heavy, so it is recommended that you reach out to a licensed contractor for installation.
2. Stain Resistance
As mentioned in #1, granite is extremely resistant to staining, even if you're cooking foods that typically cause these stains, like tomato sauce or coffee grounds. Even sealer isn't needed; however, sealing will sometimes increase the amount of time before another cleaning (which tends to wear down the shine) is needed at all. You can even place a hot pan straight from the oven or stovetop onto the counter, and it won't cause a burn mark.
3. Scratch Resistance
Even if you have a young child who likes to draw on the counters with crayons, this is less of an issue with granite than it would be with wood or laminate countertops. Granite's composition helps avoid scratching easily, which means less chance for harmful bacterial growth upon cuts (due to pen marks) and an easier cleanup in general. You won't have to worry as much about your young children scratching the surface either, as they tend to have a harder time with granite than other materials.
4. Ease of Cleaning
A damp cloth or sponge will likely do the trick for most spills and stains on a granite countertop. Granite is porous, which means it can take in stains, but those stains don't usually last very long before flaking off (depending on what type you choose). This type of material also tends to resist mold and bacteria growth-- even if food particles are left for too long, after washing (with soap or water), they will come right off.
5. Available Colors/Variety
Granite comes in many different colors and styles, allowing you to find the perfect countertops that match your personal style. It comes in solid colors, swirls, and patterns-- whatever you want to achieve with the use of different minerals found within the granite itself. The variety is endless with this material, so you can be sure to find something that will fit your home's design scheme perfectly.
6. Easy Installation
Granite installation is usually fairly easy since it can be cut with ease (after all, Romans used it for building construction back when they ruled over much of Europe), drilled through easily as well, and glued onto existing surfaces by non-professionals who have experience with the material. This means a bigger chance for affordability for those on a budget since there are fewer restrictions on who can do the installation.
7. Environmentally Friendly
Granite is a natural material, which makes it very eco-friendly (and therefore the #1 choice of environmentally conscious homeowners). You can avoid harming the environment, and you can feel good about not spending money on materials that will result in environmental damage during the manufacturing process (such as polymers like plastics and acrylics). As mentioned before, granite also comes from rocks and minerals naturally found in nature (so no mining for this material!).
8. Increased Property Value
Since granite is often thought of as a luxury item, this means that your house will be worth more if you choose to install it in your kitchen. There are other factors that go into how much your home is worth (such as location). Still, the material used to make the kitchen countertops could increase its value significantly-- not only because of aesthetics and durability but also because it's an environmentally conscious decision with long-term benefits.
9. Higher Resale Value
If you plan on eventually selling your home or flipping it for a profit, using granite countertops is another factor that might determine whether or not someone wants to purchase your home. As mentioned above, many homeowners see granite as a luxurious product and therefore deem higher prices due to the installation costs. Overall, this means that there is potential for making a bit of extra money on the side (or using it to afford another upgrade) by choosing granite countertops over other options.
10. Each Slab is Unique
Every granite slab is different, which means you are likely to find one that will match your personal style perfectly. If this is important to you, then you'll want to look into the material more closely.
There are countless benefits of choosing granite countertops for your Detroit home. If any or all of these top ten reasons seem like they would be beneficial to you and your lifestyle, then it could be time to do some research on what options are available in terms of color selection and price range. This way, you can determine if granite is the right choice for your kitchen countertops!