Pros And Cons Of Granite Countertops

Date: June 16, 2021
Author: Jon Smith

If you are considering granite countertops for your kitchen or bathroom you should know that there are pros and cons of granite countertops.

You should also understand and learn the various aspects of granite countertops which will help you decide between granite vs quartz, or granite vs marble, or any other popular types of countertops.

In this article, I am going to give you all of the good, the bad, and ugly regarding granite countertops to help you decide if this is the best material for your countertop project.

Pros And Cons Of Granite Countertops

As with anything in life, there are pros and cons. Like I said above it is crucial that you understand the pros and cons so that you make the best choice in a countertop for your home and lifestyle.

Pros Of Granite Countertops

Sustainable
Visually Appealing
Increase Home Value
Durable
Heat Resistant
Stain Resistant
Scratch Resistant
Price

Cons Of Granite Countertops

Maintenance
Chipping/Cracking
Staining/Porosity
Repairs
Price
Seams

Granite Countertop Pros

Let us first talk about all of the pros of granite. This next section will list most of the pros of granite countertops.

Pro 1: Sustainable

Granite quarries will provide granite slabs for thousands of years to come. The slabs that these quarries provide come with absolutely no harmful byproduct or toxins. 

Granite countertops can be recycled. There are companies that cut down remnant granite pieces into tile that can be used as a backsplash but that is just the start of the ability to recycle granite.

Granite lasts a very long time. It is a very durable product so it can last forever it well maintained.

Pro 2: Visually Appealing

Granite is one of the most popular countertop materials for good reason. It is absolutely stunning and makes any room with countertops stand out in style. Granite is mother natures canvas and for that reason people love this countertop material.

One of the greatest things about granite countertops is that they are cut into slabs. These slabs have natural designs running through them and this allows for a book match design if needed. It also allows for countertop fabricators to make visually appealing vein matching throughout any countertop project.
Book Match Granite Slabs

Pro 3: Granite Increases Home Value

When a product is in hot demand it tends to increase in value. This is true also for your home. If you ever decide to sell your home later you will have improved the value of your home by using granite countertops. 

Many home buyers want a turnkey purchase allowing them to move in after the closing. Using granite for your countertops allows this and the price of the granite is added to the home value plus about 20% depending on the market in your location.

Pro 4: Granite Is Durable

Despite what most people say granite is actually very durable. There are requirements and codes to follow when installing granite countertops that prevent any issues such as cracking and breaking. Specific overhang and limitations on bar overhang and corbels assist in preventing issues like this.

If you drop a pan or glass or anything on your granite countertops it is very unlikely that anything will happen to them. While not impossible it is very unlikely you will damage your countertops through normal use.

Pro 5: Granite Is Heat Resistant

Granite is heat resistant. That does not mean you can hold a flame on your granite countertops and expect nothing to happen. It can crack and the smaller pieces that make up the material can bulge out and it can also turn black from the flame.

Granite is far from perfect but a hot pot or pan will likely not cause any issues. I do recommend the use of trivets while cooking just in case. High temperatures can cause shock and make the granite crack. This is very unlikely but something to be mindful of.

Remember the word heat resistant is not heat proof. 

Pro 6: Granite Is Stain Resistant

People don't quite understand the need to seal your granite countertops and usually forget that it is necessary until it is too late. This should be part of your regular maintenance schedule every 6 months to 1 year.

Granite is not perfect and can stain but you will likely not cause any stains if you clean up any messes as quickly as you can. A stain is usually caused from spills that are left for long periods of time. It is also caused by the lack of sealer on the granite countertop surface. 

Pro 7: Granite Is Scratch Resistant

It is not impossible to scratch granite but it has to be from a material harder than granite. Metal pans cannot scratch the granite surface but it can leave metal transfer marks that can be permanent. 

It is always advised to use trivets and towels to prevent these things from happening.

Your knife will likely dull if you cut on granite but you will probably not scratch your granite. Metal transfer marks can be removed with granite dust and some elbow grease.

Pro 8: Granite Price

Granite can be a bit pricy but there are ways to save money if you want granite. The best way to save money is by using a cheaper granite material. This does not compromise the durability or stain resistance at all. This is just a color that is not as popular. I actually like the builder grade granites.

If you compare the price to quartz they are pretty much the same however, granite does start out at a lower price compared to quartz.

Granite Countertop Cons

Con 1: Granite Maintenance

The maintenance required for granite countertops is not really all that terrible. It is a con so it needed to be listed as such but there is really nothing outside of cleaning and sealing that is required.

If you clean you granite countertops and seal them every 6 months to 1 year then you are going to enjoy this countertop for a lifetime. 

Con 2: Granite Chipping And Cracking

Granite can crack and it can chip but that is very unlikely. This is considered a con but don't let that stop you from purchasing granite countertops. Chips and cracks can both be repaired by a professional. I have repaired these many times myself.

Con 3: Granite Staining And Porosity

Granite is porous which means liquid can penetrate the surface if you do not seal your granite countertops. Leaving spills for extended periods of time can also penetrate causing stains. These stains can be removed but not always a guarantee. It really depends on what the stain was caused from and how deep it is.

Con 4: Granite Repairs

Granite repairs can be a bit costly. If you have a chip then you will need someone to put epoxy on the area or smooth it out with a polisher. These polishers will sand down the stone and epoxy if it was needed. Small chips can be worked out easily but larger chips will need epoxy or glue.

I recommend asking your countertop professional to use CA glue and granite chips to fill in the hole. I usually do this depending on the material.

Con 5: Granite Price

This was listed a a pro but it can be a con. Sometimes the granite slab we want in our home can be a bit expensive. All of the more popular granite colors are a bit pricey. 

Con 6: Granite Seams

In my opinion it is easier to hide granite seams with colored epoxy and a very tight fit. Depending on how the granite is cut and the size of your kitchen will be the deciding factor of seams.

Most kitchens have seams and they are usually not visible easily. Some granites are harder to hide the seam. If you want to avoid a seam then I advise asking your cabinet maker to keep each cabinet run shorter than the slab of granite.

Final Thoughts

Granite is an excellent choice for your countertop project and I do recommend it. I wrote this article because I really wanted to share with you as much information on the pros and cons of granite so that you can make your decision much easier. Up next is the pros and cons of quartz.
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