Having beautiful granite kitchen countertops is the dream for many homeowners, but is granite all hype and no substance? Granite kitchen countertops may be expensive, but there are good reasons why they are so popular. Here is a short pros and cons list explaining why granite kitchen countertops are so appealing.
Pros:
- Durable: Granite countertops are as heavy and tough as they sound. Being made of thick, solid granite makes for a countertop that would win a fight against most anything else in the kitchen.
- Aesthetics and Style: As mentioned, a granite countertop is very popular. This means that a kitchen with granite countertops may be worth more than other kitchens, thus continually incentivizing people to add granite to their kitchen.
- Heat and Stains: A properly sealed granite countertop should resist most chemicals and heat that comes in contact. While you should still use potholders and be gentle with cleaning chemicals, a granite countertop will still hold up to occasional abuse.
Cons:
- Cost: The material itself can be expensive, but the popularity of granite countertops also drives up the cost because it’s so in demand.
- Porous: Granite is a very porous rock and will soak up liquid if not properly sealed. This means that you must be careful to have maintained a properly sealed countertop in order to avoid stains.
- Cracking: While granite may be incredibly hard and heavy it is prone to chipping when struck. A natural consequence of having such a hard material is that it may fracture when struck hard.
Granite kitchen countertops are very popular, and for good reason. While they may take a bit of extra cost and upkeep, they will pay for themselves by being the highest quality countertops around.
