Granite was prized for thousands of years for its magnificence and toughness. The ancient Egyptians used it to construct pyramids to house the bodies of their pharaohs, which had to remain intact as much as possible so that they would be recognizable in the afterword. The pyramids had to stand the test of time, which is why they chose to use granite among other things.
Today, kitchen countertop is the preferred choice by designers and discerning homeowners for their kitchen designs. It is distinctive in its structure as well its appearance. It immediately produces a look of elegance and class, and since all granite slabs are unique, your kitchen will always be the only one exactly like that. The slab you choose will also be an expression of your personality and style.
While granite countertops may not be the only choice, there are very good reasons why it should be yours
1. Granite is hard wearing and practically maintenance free
The kitchen is where much of the real work in the home happens, which is why it is the “heart” of the home. Cooking, cleaning, eating, washing up, doing homework, doing the accounts, and so on. Kitchen countertops get a lot of that traffic, so they need to be easy to clean and maintain. Granite is an investment, so it has to stand up under the constant use. It is fortunate that granite is so durable.
Granite is heat resistant. It is an igneous rock, formed under great heat and pressure, so hot pots and pans is not a problem. It is advisable to use trivets and heat pads, however, since the seal used for granite is not as hardy as the granite itself.
The structure of granite is holocrystalline, which signifies that the mineral crystals that form the granite link to each other instead of fully developing. This creates the distinctive “granitic” look of granite, where you can clearly see the interlocked crystals. Aside from giving it a grainy look, this structure is what gives granite its durability. You can use a sharp knife on it to cut meat and vegetables without scratching it. It is the perfect kitchen surface for handling pots and pans, cutlery, glass, and appliances. You will never have to walk on eggshells when working in the kitchen.
2. Granite has infinite design options
Because granite is color-versatile, a slab somewhere will always somehow match or complement the overall theme of your design. It may not fit neatly into a specific pattern, but the effect of the undertones and overlays usually make for a more interesting overall look. You can also use backsplashes and accents to tie everything together.
The great thing about granite is the composition and structure makes it color-versatile. The matrix of crystals are shot through with an infinite combination of minerals that can make the basic black look deeper, and white more pristine. Streaks and/or flecks of silver, gray, prink, brown, or gold occur in unpredictable ways. They make unique patterns never duplicated, much like snowflakes. Even slabs from the same block of stone will be slightly different.
The color of the streaks and flecks you may see in a certain granite slab is due to its particular composition. Each mineral will contribute a certain color to the overall mix, usually variations of pink, black, gray, orange, and white. You may also find some browns, blues, and greens. You may be interested to know what kind of minerals will produce colors you need for your kitchen.
Quartz
Although it is colorless, quartz gives granite the crystalline and reflective quality of granite. It is the most common substance in granite and since it is one of the hardest minerals on Earth, it contributes significantly to the durability of granite.
Feldspar
The second most significant mineral in granite is feldspar, and unlike quartz, it is largely what gives granite its main color. Feldspar can be mostly black, orange, pink, blue, or yellow.
Horneblend and Biotite
The most recognizable type of granite is the salt and pepper gray, because this is the most common. This is mostly due to the crystals of biotite and hornblende.
Mica
Mica is a silicate mineral that has a metallic quality. It gives granite that polished look. It is responsible for the sliver, black, and brown flecks in granite, and imparts pink and violet hues to the slab.
3. Granite has great ROI
Granite is initially expensive, but the value it adds to a home far outweighs the cost. Aside from updating the look of your home wherever you put it, it is just so classically beautiful that it instantly increases the attractiveness of any room you put it in. This is not idle speculation. Ask any realtor and they will confirm this most home buyers consider granite countertops in any part of the house a major selling point. The best thing about this is granite lasts for years, so even if you don’t plan to sell anytime soon, you will enjoy its beauty for a long time. By the time you do sell it, it may have fully depreciated, so any contribution it makes to your sale in terms of price or time is all gravy. Even if you invest in granite countertops to sell your home at a higher price, you can be sure that the return on your investment is right on the money.
Some people will say that granite can chip and stain, and requires more maintenance than engineered stone or other types of countertops. While this is true, no countertop material is perfect. Point for point, granite is ahead of the pack in durability, looks, and value. That is the why granite is still the best choice for your countertops.