Granite is known as the “king of countertop materials”. It is a great material for kitchen countertops because it is very strong, extremely durable and it looks classic and elegant. Here are some frequently asked questions about granite countertops whose answers will be useful information to you as well.

What Are The General Pros And Cons Of Granite

Granite is a natural stone, which is made inside the Earth. A lot of clusters of different rocks and minerals come together and get packed under high pressure and temperature to form a solid rock which is mined as granite. The different colors of granite are due to the presence of mica in the stone composition. Some advantages of granite stone are that you can use them not only in the kitchen but they are great for bathroom surfaces too. Granite is a long lasting material and it lasts for decades. It is available in a huge variety of colors and veining patterns, with each and every slab being unique.

Some not-so-good things about granite is that it needs to be sealed at the surface to make it water resistant. It is a very expensive material for countertops and acts as an investment. So, all in all, it is a well-rounded material for kitchen countertops and people love it.

Why Is Granite So Popular?

The main question is why is granite so popular among people? Well, it is for a couple of reasons. First of all, it is a naturally mined stone and it is resourced naturally, so it is a great and sustainable material for countertops. People love it when a material is sustainable and good for the environment.

Another reason why granite is so popular is because of its strength and durability. Even though it is quite expensive, people tend to go the extra mile of somehow managing to get granite countertops, regardless of the price, since the shelf life of it makes up for the hefty price of granite.

Why Is Granite The Strongest Natural Stone?

Granite is the strongest natural stone in the world. The reason why is because it is made up of small clusters of different rocks and minerals, which are packed together under high temperatures inside the surface of the Earth. Although it has a lot of pores in it, it is still very durable and resistant to cracks, scratches and breakage. It is also a moderately stain-resistant countertop.

Granite slabs are the strongest since they are the thickest, while granite tiles are the least strong of them all, but still a granite tile is 10 times stronger than a marble tile or ceramic tile.

What Is The Cost Of Granite Countertops

You might have heard of this over and over again, but granite is a very expensive material to choose for countertops. It ranges anywhere between $40 to $80 per foot. So a total granite countertop installation cost including all of the things would come around to be $5000 to $6000. This is a very big number, and people have to allocate a certain budget for it. But people still love it, regardless of its price, since it lasts for years and the maintenance makes up for it.

Do You Need To Seal Granite Countertops?

As mentioned before, granite is made up of small rocks compacted together. So, it is naturally going to be a porous material. So, to make it water resistant and to prevent it from losing its strength over time, it needs to be sealed on a yearly basis. Different sealants are used to help fill up the pores on the surface of granite and make it last longer. Before sealing, the countertop is cleaned thoroughly and then a thin layer is applied first and is allowed to dry. Then, a second coat of sealant is applied to cover leftover spots. This is done by the installation team, so you don’t need to worry too much.

There you have it! Now you know everything that people tend to ask about granite countertops. This will make the hunt for the perfect kitchen countertop material so much easier and fun since you know what questions to ask and what answers to expect. Just ensure you are visiting a reputable granite contractor Potomac to buy high quality granite.