Granite kitchen countertops are among the most expensive of kitchen countertop materials to buy – which is why they carry a strong image of quality and style. High end cost, plus high durability and eye-catching beauty mean granite tops are most desirable among those who can afford the perfect choice or may be aspiring to be the next Rachel Ray of kitchen cooking.

1. Prices of Granite

Falling prices over the last 10 years or so has brought the cost down within the range of a wider cross-section of customers. It’s a classic example of expanding market demand thanks to gains in manufacturing efficiency. Even so, granite remains at a premium compared with most other materials.

Entry level prices can be found from around $60 per square foot. However, if you were thinking you could cut costs by doing it yourself, think very carefully. Without extensive experience installing kitchen counter tops of this type, you’d be well advised to hire a professional to do the installation work for you.

2. Durability

For hard-wearing long life, you probably can’t beat granite. Love to host dinner parties? Granite is great for you since it is highly resistant to heat. So you can take hot pans or casseroles directly from oven or hob to counter top without any risk of damage. Granite is much more durable than any alternative material for a kitchen worktop.

3. Colors

With natural materials like granite, your choice of colors is limited to those naturally available. As a matter of kitchen design, you should consider your countertop color before going ahead with your kitchen remodeling project. Don’t forget the impact of your choice on your materials and color-scheme for the cupboards, islands and other kitchen furniture . Having said that, you’ll probably find a range of granite colors containing blacks, blues, browns, greens, and reds.

4. Sealing Your Counter Top

To maximize its useful life, and keep it looking its best, you should periodically seal the granite.

Planning to sell your home?
Considering installing a new kitchen in your property in the hope of making it sell more easily? Then you’ll create the most favorable impression in your prospective buyer’s mind by installing granite kitchen counter tops. You’re probably well aware – kitchens and bathrooms are key to selling your property.

To summarize…
You’ll find granite at the high end of your kitchen countertop material options. But it is certainly worth the extra for the sake of durability and style.

However if budget limitations, or existing materials, mean granite won’t work for you, other types of work-top to consider could be quartz or tiled kitchen countertops.