Want to know the pros and cons of granite countertops? When it comes to the finishing steps of the construction of any building, one of the most important parts of the process is selecting the countertops. Whether it is your house’s kitchen, a shop, a mall, or a bar, the countertops are an important factor in the functionality and looks of the establishment. Nature has blessed us with more resources than we can count and in terms of the options available for countertops, one of the best options we have is granite; a naturally occurring rock.
What is Granite?
pros and cons of granite
Granite is one of the hardest naturally occurring substances on earth. It has a Mohs scale rating of 6 to 7, putting it just less then Diamond and Silicon Carbide; the hardest things that exist. However, at the same time, it is also brittle and cannot handle a lot of flexure or shear force.
Before we get to the pros and cons of granite countertops, you need to understand one thing. Not all granite is made the same. You might know that true granite is a natural commodity, but there is also low quality stone on the market. It costs about the same as the original stuff; however, a layman cannot differentiate good quality from low quality. In order to make sure that you are getting the quality stuff, you want to source it from a trustworthy supplier and that is none other than Block Tops You can get granite countertops anywhere in southern California from Block Tops and if you are in Los Angeles, you can access their dedicated Los Angeles operations here.
Here are some of the pros and cons of Granite Countertops that you need to keep in mind before selecting Granite as the thing that finishes your counters off.
Pros:
- Granite is hard and resists scratches which means it remains nearly new after years of usage and can be traded for a new slab with minimal expense. Or if you don’t want that, just get it polished again and it will be as good as new.
- Granite, when properly polished, is one of the shiniest surfaces there are. It gives some really great looks.
- Granite comes in a range of colors, patterns, and shades and you can always find a variation that matches your taste.
- After being polished, granite cannot absorb any water which means it remains dry on the inside, making it prone to infestation by bacteria or any other unwanted organism.
- Granite forms in nature as a result of a lot of heat and pressure and it can handle just about any condition you throw at it.
- Since the surface is impervious, it is easy to clean. Just a wiping cloth and some mild detergent can clean it.
- Granite tops have an indefinite life. You can keep using them forever if you want to.
Cons:
- Owing to the long service life of granite countertops, you won’t get to change them any time soon.
- Natural Granite has variations in color and patterns. If your countertop is large and needs more than one slab, you cannot get a perfectly uniform look.
- Granite is expensive in itself, and it needs a lot of labor to polish and cut to the size. These costs can add up to a pretty hefty price tag for your countertop.
- Some materials can permanently stain granite and you will be left with no option other than changing the countertop, an expensive endeavor.
- Being a brittle substance, granite has the tendency to crack if hit with a point object with a lot of force like using a meat cleaver.
- Granite is a heavy rock and you need to provide added structural support to use it as a countertop.
- Removing granite from the countertop once it has been glued in place can be very difficult and you might end up destroying the slab or the base it is installed on.
Final Thoughts:
pros and cons of granite
Now that you know the things you need to know about granite, you can head over to Block Tops. to get genuine granite countertops for any purpose, in any size and anywhere in California. The experts there can help you choose the right rock for you and can provide you all the needed cutting, sizing, polishing, and installation needs.
