Granite is a long lasting, beautiful, and natural option that will leave your space looking and feeling sharp, sophisticated, and finished. It also holds its value, so you can expect a 100% return when you decide to make the investment. When put to the test against other materials on the market, granite comes out on top.
Quartz
Compared to other materials such as quartz, granite is a more affordable material for counter surfaces. Quartz tends to run $70 to $95 per square foot while stone countertops are an average of $60 per square foot. Quartz requires resin filler because it is not made of one complete piece, so your quartz surface will generally be 93% quartz and 7% resin. Meanwhile, stone comes in one full slab and requires no resin filler. Quartz also contains more radon, a radioactive gas that has been linked to lung cancer, than its stone counterpart. Although the difference is marginal, the less exposure to the gas you have, the safer it is for you and your family.
Concrete
Another popular material for countertops is concrete. While concrete tends to be more budget friendly, your granite countertops are going to stay intact and beautiful for the long haul while concrete is easily stained due to its porous nature. With concrete surfaces, spills need to be cleaned up immediately and cleaning needs to be done diligently and regularly. This tendency towards staining also means the material has to be resealed more often and requires more upkeep from the homeowner. Concrete tends to be less heat resistant than its full stone counterparts, meaning one must take more care in the kitchen by keeping trivets and heat guards handy. While every material will eventually wear, concrete tends to wear unevenly and more quickly, meaning the money you saved in the initial investment has to go towards constant maintenance in order to keep it looking good.
Butcher-Block
While butcher-block countertops add a warm, vintage feel to any space, does it hold up to granite countertops when it comes to upkeep and durability? No. While butcher-block does add a different look, the maintenance necessary to keep it looking nice is much more intensive than that of stone. The wood tends to stain easily, wear unevenly, and even retain odors. You also cannot use knives on butcher-block as they will cut and mark easily. Repairing these marks is then a process that includes sanding, staining, sealing, and more for each blemish.
When it comes to the value of your property, granite countertops offer the most bang for your buck. Although the front-end investment may be greater than the competition, you can count on granite for ease, visual appeal, durability, and easy upkeep, while also expecting a higher return on your investment.
