We know the choices you have for selecting your kitchen countertop can be overwhelming. Apart from deciding what color kitchen countertop you prefer, you first have to choose what type of kitchen counter material works for you and your family. What exactly are granite kitchen countertops? What are the advantages of granite kitchen countertops?
1. Natural but not perfect. Granite is a natural product used for kitchen counters. It is crystalline in structure, so it always has tiny pits or spaces between the various mineral crystals. It also contains natural fissures that may appear to be cracks, but they are not structural defects and will not impair the function or durability of the material.
2. Appearance not uniform.
Movement is a term that is used to describe the shift in color and pattern in natural stone. Granite counters do not have a uniform pattern or color. The appearance can vary widely between slabs, and even within a single slab.
3. Samples may differ from the actual stone. The sample of the granite color may differ from the slabs currently available for your kitchen countertop. They may have been mined from a different part of the granite quarry or they may have occlusions or color variances that give them a different appearance.
4. Seams are visible. It is impossible to hide the seams in granite countertops.
5. Must be sealed. Granite is a natural stone product that has a certain degree of porosity and must be sealed before use with a solvent-based product which leaves only negligible surface residue and is not considered to be a health risk. The stone must be resealed at least once every three years.
6. Can discolor. While granite counters are ordinarily considered to be stain-resistant, some pigments or oils can be absorbed into the surface. This could cause discoloration. The sealer does not prevent this discoloration, but it slows it down to allow more time for clean-up.
7. Durable but not indestructible. Granite countertops are extremely durable, scratch resistant, and impervious to water and heat. If not abused, it will hold its luster forever. However, because it is a natural rock, it can be chipped and broken if abused, and is very difficult to repair.