Granite Countertops

You can see granite countertops everywhere these days from your favorite bar, to the reception desk in the high rise building downtown or the restrooms in your office building.

Granite counters have become a popular choice for the homeowner too. In the past, granite was only in homes of the wealthy, but now we see it in condos, apartments and almost any home across america.

There is a reason we've seen an explosion of granite counters in homes and offices across the nation. Technology has made it much faster to cut granite, allowing for granite to be imported from far away countries.

In the past, granite was very expensive, and was cut at a local granite quarry. Now we see granite from all over the world, and usually from countries with cheap labor, and no strict environmental laws like China or India.

Granite is still not that cheap to have installed in your home or office, but compared to before, it's much more affordable.

If you are considering granite for your home or office, there are few things you should be aware of before picking your granite slab.

Granite is a natural stone material and all natural stone is porous, which means liquids, like water, wine, coffee and differnt foods and can absorb into granite, possibly staining them.

When choosing your granite, think about the maintanence it will need. Yes, the color is important, but if the granite you want is like a sponge, (and you can test it to see how much water it absorbs), then maybe you might have to sacrifice the perfect color for a granite that is easier to maintain.

Check out the granite countertop maintenance page for more information on maintaing your granite.

There are some granites out there that just soak up any liquid that touches it. No amount of sealer will completely make a granite waterproof, but a good sealer can dramatically slow down the absorption rate, making the granite more resistant to staining.

A general rule of thumb is the lighter the color of granite, the less dense it is, making it more porous. Of course there are exceptions to the the rule, but if you perform a simple absorption test, you'll know before you buy it.

Thus, visa-versa, usually the darker the granite color, the more dense it is and the less porous it is. Some granites are so dense, like black galaxy or black absolute, they won't even absorb a sealer.

Having a granite countertop intalled can be a very rewarding material as it most likely will increase the value of your home.

If you're are considering installing granite, keep in mind it's maintanence needs before buying, to be sure you're not buying something that will create problems down the road.

How to to Take Care of Granite Countertop

When you have chosen your granite for your kitchen or bathroom countertop, be sure that it's sealed when it's intalled and to continue to seal them every 3-5 years.

Sealing granite countertops is very important because just like all natural stones, granite is a porous stone, which makes it susceptible to staining agents.

Some granites are more porous than others, but unless it's a very dense granite (e.g. black absolute), it most likely will need to be sealed.

Sealing your granite with a penetrating sealer does not make your granite countertops bulletproof. You still should follow good cleaning habits for taking care of granite countertops.

Remember not to use vinegar or windex when cleaning your countertops, as the acidity of these products can break down the sealer.

Check out this granite countertop cleaner page for all your granite, marble or man made countertops cleaning needs.

For maintaining the high polish and adding an invisible barrier to help protect your granite countertops from finger prints and smudge marks, use a granite countertop polish.