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Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are the top of the line counters. They are like the diamonds in the countertop world. Unfortunately that means they are also quite pricey. Granite is an exceptionally strong and long lasting surface.

Even though granite is very resistant to damage, you should take precautions with your granite counters. While you can use the surface to cut and chop food, it is recommended that you still use a cutting board. Overtime you will start to see degradation from years of using the granite as a cutting surface. It’s also recommended to use hot pads. While granite can take the heat of a pot or pan fresh from the oven or range, you never know when the stars will align and the heat from the pot will cause permanent damage to your countertop.

Granite is also a porous material. Therefore you should always use a stone sealant on your granite and be careful when using oil or other liquids. Cleaning up a spill immediately will greatly reduce the chance of discolorations or other unwanted effects.

The price of granite countertops can range significantly depending on the quality of the slab. Typically you will see the range from $100 to $200 dollars per square foot. It’s not uncommon to see prices over $200 a square foot though. If you are interested in finding a priced solution to granite, be sure to look at our page dedicated to granite tile countertops.

Granite countertops have the ability to increase the market value of your house. Although it’s not as simple as installing the countertops and then seeing your value increase. The effect of high quality countertops on market value can also vary depending on the particular house. If you have a small studio that’s only 300-600 square feet, the countertops will have a smaller influence. If you have a typical house for your neighborhood you will see a greater benefit in value from installing granite countertops. But if you go overboard and install the $400 per square foot countertops you won’t receive anymore benefit than if you installed $200 per square foot granite.