Granite countertop advantages and disadvantages. Granite pros and cons.

What are the pros and cons of granite countertop?

Granite is a worth to consider countertop option for many homeowners, but like any other material it has its own pros and cons. But still analyzing all the advantages and disadvantages should be based on defining what the priories are. Considering the pure price as an initial factor, while shopping for new kitchen counter, granite might cost more than many cheaper alternatives, but count this as a big disadvantage might not be an objective evaluation, because it is typical that more valuable materials will cost more.

Durability and longevity

Granite is very durable material by its nature. With proper installation and maintenance it will last longer than the time came to a whole kitchen renovation. It might be not a good idea to install granite countertop on the old cabinets because ones they have to be replaces it might be very hard to preserve the countertop in the condition it can be reinstalled. It is heat resistant stone and not susceptible to scratches like many other countertop options.

Installation

All natural stone and granite in particular require professional installation only. Also it is extremely heavy material and special equipment should be used to assure it won’t be damaged during transportation. Usually a local stone fabricator will measure, fabricate and install the granite countertop. Cutting slab, making sink cutouts, polishing edges and makes seams nearly invisible is not a do it yourself project. Poor installation might cause cracks or even damaging base cabinets and even a handy homeowner should hire professional installers to perform the work.

Appearance

Granite countertops available in hundreds of colors and with its naturally beautiful texture will bring stunning look to a whole kitchen. Also for creating a stylish design edges can be made in variety of shapes from simple Bullnose or Bevel to more creative Ogee or Waterfall. Granite is one of the best countertop solutions for any style of a house.

Color selection

Choosing granite based on pictures or samples might not be the best idea. Every piece is different and while choosing the color it is better to pick a specific slab with its unique appearance. Also many colors have veins movement which are very specific and never the same. While choosing variegated pattern it is essentially important to pick the slab you like and not just make a judgment based on pictures you saw.

Maintenance

Besides the regular cleaning granite countertop require periodical sealer application to prevent any types of liquid, including splashing water from the sink, penetrate the stone porous surface. Sealing helps to avoid staining and possible discoloring assuring the whole granite structure won’t be damaged and counter will look like new for many years. The frequency of sealer application will depend on the type of a sealer. Many products have to be applied yearly while some will preserve the protective abilities much longer. Homeowners also should be aware that any type of alkaline or acids based cleaners shouldn’t be used for cleaning granite.

Radon concerns

There are many concerns arise about presence of radon in the granite countertop and whether these radioactive minerals will cause a health problem. In any case, by its nature granite have some level of radon, but the real concern is how high the level is. Many might not be even aware that some other materials will contain radioactive element as well, but the concentration will be so low that it doesn’t really make much harm to the human body.

The problem is definitely exist and shouldn’t be ignored, but understanding that each granite slab will have a different level of radioactive elements is the most important factor. With so many stones coming from all over the world the simple solution is to make a radon test, but still make sure the results are accurate. Some primitive and very often cheap detectors might not be worth the money spent and you might want to use better detectors or even ask for a professional help.