Anyone who is interested in updating their kitchen has a number of choices when it comes to countertops. One of the most popular choices, of course, is granite. Granite comes with many benefits in addition to its beauty, and it can even help to raise the value of the home. However, granite may not be right for everyone, so how can you know if granite is right for you? Use these seven ways:
Granite is Right for Your Home If You Want a Good Value for Your Money
One of the major benefits of granite is that it is a good value for the money. Granite does not depreciate in value, and it will last for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Once a homeowner pays for the initial investment of granite, that’s it. There are no other costs associated with granite, short of a repair, if necessary, so there is nothing else to worry about. When compared to other countertop types, which might need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, granite is much more affordable in the long run.
Granite is Right for Your Home If You Want Natural Stone
Granite is a natural stone, much like marble or slate, which bring a lot to any home. Natural stone brings a classic look to your home, and it looks great with almost any cabinetry and flooring option. Natural stone is also very tough, it can hold up to almost anything, and there is almost no care that goes into it. Natural stone is also antibacterial and antimicrobial, which make it an ideal option in the kitchen where food may be on and around the countertops.
Granite is Right for Your Home If You Want Something Unique
If you are looking for a countertop that no one in the world has, then granite is the perfect choice. Since granite is cut from stone that is uniquely made over thousands of years, no two pieces are the same. Even though there are other granite slabs that have been made from the same stone in the same quarry, there will be noticeable differences if they are compared side by side.
Granite is Right for Your Home If You Want a Maintenance-Free Countertop
The last thing most people want to do is clean the kitchen, but if you have a granite countertop, this necessary chore only takes a couple of minutes. To clean granite, all it takes is a soft rag and some warm, soapy water. If you want to ensure that the countertops are bacteria-free, you can also disinfect the countertop with a solution made of water and isopropyl alcohol. There are also cleansers you can purchase to clean the granite, just make sure that they are safe for the stone. Any cleanser with acid should not be used on granite.
Granite is Right for Your Home If You Want a Countertop to Stand Up to Heat
Granite is an igneous rock that was made by pressure and heat. When working in the kitchen with hot pots and pans, it is no issue to use the countertop as a holding area for these items. In fact, though this certainly isn’t recommended, granite can even be held in a hot flame and not receive damage. Though granite will melt eventually, it takes temperatures of about 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit to damage it. In the kitchen, the highest temperature would be from around 350 to 450 degrees, so there are no worries the granite will melt. Other countertop materials cannot stand up to heat like this.
Granite is Right for Your Home If You Want Several Color Choices
Choosing an option like granite will give a homeowner the option of several color choices. Many homeowners appreciate granite in neutral, natural colors like brown, beige or even black, but granite is available in many other colors including bright and colorful greens, reds and blues. You can find yellow granite, white granite and even purple and pink granite.
Granite is Right for Your Home If You Want a Choice of Finishes
There are also a number of options for those who want to choose from finishes. Color is only one of the decisions a homeowner has to make when choosing granite; finish is another. There are a number of finishes available including polished, honed and flamed finishes. Brushed finishes are also available, and these help to give the granite an antique look.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons that you may want to consider granite for your home. These are only seven things that you can look at to determine if granite is right for you. There are, of course, many more. Though granite might not be right for everyone, if you can go through the above reasons and say ‘yes,’ then granite may be perfect for your home.