When thinking of natural stone countertops, most people’s minds go straight to granite. It’s one of the most popular types of stones, and it’s been popular for many years in homes all over the nation.

In this article, we’ll detail what people love most about granite. And in the interest of being transparent, we’ll also talk about some aspects of this stone that people aren’t crazy about.

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to use granite for your remodel, this is the article for you.

Granite: The Pros

Granite has maintained its popularity over the years for a reason. There are plenty of things to love about it:

• It can help sell your home.

If you’re looking to sell, granite might help garner buyers’ interest. Since natural stone is such a sought-after aspect of kitchens and bathrooms, people get excited about homes that have natural stone countertops installed. And because natural stone countertops like granite are highly coveted, they can increase the resale value of your home.

• It goes easy on the environment.

Granite lasts for a long time—and that’s not just good for your wallet, but it’s also good for the earth. If you take care of your granite countertops the right way, you probably won’t ever need to replace them.

Granite also doesn’t need any chemical alterations—it gets polished after it comes out of the earth, but that’s about it. Because there are no harsh chemicals involved, the fabrication process is eco-friendly too.

• It’s durable.

If you’re looking for something tough, look no further than granite. It’s one of the hardest stones out there. It’s resistant to heat, staining, and scratches, and this resistance only gets stronger if you keep up a regular resealing routine. (Talk to us regarding the specifics of this process.)

Granite’s heat resistance makes it a great asset to kitchens and bathrooms—two places in a home that see much heat from pots and pans or styling tools.

• It’s unique.

Because granite is made within the earth, no two slabs in the entire world are exactly the same. Even if everyone you know had a granite countertop, there still wouldn’t be duplicates. This uniqueness is like having a one-of-a-kind art piece in your very own home.

Granite: The Cons

Since complete perfection is impossible, there are some downsides to granite as well. Just as we shared the pros, we want to share the cons so you can get a complete picture of this material:

• It can be expensive.

It’s true that the purchasing price for granite can get steep, but it’s important to remember that you’re investing in a high-quality product that has the potential to last for generations.

When you buy, you should also factor in the cost of installation. Since granite is so heavy, every installation should be handled by a professional—this is not a material meant for DIY projects.

• It could crack.

Not many people make a habit of dropping heavy items onto the corners of their granite slabs, but life can be unpredictable. If this happens, it is possible that the surface will chip or crack.

Chipping or cracking could also occur if the granite isn’t installed correctly, which is yet another reason why you should always call in the professionals!

• It has earthy tones.

This isn’t necessarily a negative aspect of granite—some people really like the earthy colors that granite slabs come in. But others who prefer brighter, more vibrant tones might not like the neutral shades that granite is known for.

Granite slabs cannot be made to order (they are formed by mother nature), but even so, there are plenty of naturally occurring vein designs and patterns to choose from.

Granite: Making the Decision

Choosing your new countertop comes down to weighing the pros and cons and deciding what matters to you. If you need assistance or would like to learn more about granite, contact Sanford Granite—we would love to help you out.