Granite is still the most popular countertop material because of its durability and natural beauty, plus the fact that it conveys luxury.
Granite countertops are strong and durable as long as it receives sealing each year. If homeowners are lax in their maintenance, the porous granite can suck up oils, juice, and wine, which will be impossible to remove. Bacteria can also harbor inside granite if not sealed properly.
Colorful Options
The composition of the mineral deposits dictates the unique colors and patterns. Granite contains quartz, feldspar, mica, and many other materials. The balance of these minerals always varies thus leading to beautiful individualistic kitchen countertops. Granite colors can range the color spectrum.
According to Trulia Design Panel's trend predictions released last month, granite countertops are out. And in a kitchen trends survey conducted by Houzz, the home remodeling and design resource found that granite is no longer the most popular countertop material.
Turns agrees that granite is still in high demand, partly because the available color options have increased substantially since the early 2000s. “Because no two slabs of granite are exactly the same, the variety is enormous,” she says.
The most popular granite colors in 2021 continue to dominate 2022 design trends; white granite countertops and neutral finishes or warm wooden cupboards, and black granite kitchen countertops complimented by gold fittings for the bold.
Granite and other natural stone countertop sales are projected to grow into 2025, according to economists. Consumers and homeowners have fallen in love with granite over the last twenty years, and that's not ending anytime soon!
Today, Quartz is overtaking Granite as the number one, most desirable countertop material on the market.
Quartz is generally less expensive.
But with the exception of the cheapest granite, quartz is generally less expensive—$70 to $100 per square foot installed compared with granite's price range of $60 to $270 per square foot installed.
Granite countertops are harder and stronger and the long-term durability of the granite makes it that much more appealing to both the homeowner and the home builders. It has a longer shelf life than traditional laminate countertops so you won't see any scratches or rings.
At issue is whether some granite countertops emit dangerous levels of radiation, especially the gas radon, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Experts agree that most granite countertops emit some radon and even other types of radiation.
Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free.
Clorox, whether it is Clorox wipes or the Multi-Purpose cleaning fluid, is not safe to use for cleaning and disinfecting your granite. The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones.
Granite is one of the hardest stone surfaces you can buy and is not easily susceptible to scratches, especially those from knives or other kitchen utensils. However, scratches can occur, and will often show up more readily on lighter-colored stones.
Granite countertops should last you at least 10-15 years if maintained well. While you can take steps daily to prolong the life of your granite; some professional help is needed to restore and refinish in order to ensure your granite surfaces last as long as possible.
No, you can't use disinfecting wipes on quartz countertops. Disinfecting wipes contain citric acid as their primary ingredient and are not diluted in any way. When you use these wipes to clean your countertop, they will weaken the seal on your countertop's surface leaving them vulnerable to discoloration.
While granite is more expensive than Corian, the price difference isn't that great. Corian costs $40-150 per square foot, while the price of slab granite starts at $40 and can reach up to $200. There's also installation to consider, and the cost often varies from region to region.
Quartz takes first place in terms of durability. Made of crushed quartz stone mixed with polymers and resin, this artificially engineered stone countertop is an extremely durable surface that resembles natural stone.
Quartz is more eco-friendly than granite
Granite is imported, which means the carbon footprint is larger, due to transport and shipping. Granite is a natural stone, but is porous and requires sealing with chemicals to minimize staining and etching.
Since both granite and quartzite are on the harder side of natural stone materials, both are exceptionally durable. One major downfall of quartzite that you will not see in granite is staining. Quartzite is highly resistant to scratching, etching, and chipping but staining can be a problem if not cared for properly.
Granite is the most popular countertop material among homebuyers, and it can boost your home's value while helping you recover some of the installation cost. Installing countertops made of granite or another type of natural stone can potentially increase your home's value by up to 25 percent of its retail value.
The black countertops of today are as timeless as white marble and as versatile as the LBD (little black dress) in your closet. And even better, they lend themselves to pretty much any kitchen style, including modern, bohemian, minimalist, and even rustic.
If you are thinking of a kitchen renovation, you should know that dark speckled granite is no longer in vogue.
The short answer is NO: granite won't become dated because it's a 100% natural material. Wood, stone, plants–these things don't go out of style. The colors and pattern in each slab of granite were brought together without human intervention long before there were even such a thing as design trends.