Some Reasons Why Homeowners Love Granite Countertops

Posted by Michael Griffin on December 26th, 2020

Countertop fabricators have come up with many attractive and affordable materials for the kitchen counter. But many homeowners still look for slabs of granite in Denver when they need to renovate the cooking area. It’s like the default option for many homeowners for many good reasons.

The natural rock is one of the sturdiest materials available in many beautiful patterns. Exterior factors like improvement in the supply chain and manufacturing process also play a role. Here we look at some reasons for its popularity:

Granite Is Durable

Granite is one of the toughest materials on Earth that exist naturally. It would take a very strong impact to crack or chip it. If installed properly, it can last for years to come, even longer than many rocks. Most homeowners only replace their granite counter when they need to remodel their kitchen. Cracks and chips that do appear can be patched with repair kits.

It Resists Heat

The igneous rock absorbs heat easily but doesn’t retain it due to which it endures heat well. You could place a pot on it right after cooking and the surface would be fine. It remains cool even on hot summer days due to this property.

Maintaining It Is Simple

There’s a reason why granite slabs look shiny all the time. Despite being igneous, they have few pores, especially the dark ones. If the pores are sealed properly, you can wipe the surface clean with a wet cloth. You can get rid of spills without leaving stains. The sealant also prevents germs from entering the pores.

The Patterns Are Breathtaking

Granite comes in many beautiful patterns consisting of veins that add character to the design. The slabs are available in many colors like white, black, gray, blue, red, etc. It can mimic the look of popular stones like marbles.

Every slab is unique from the other so your kitchen will look different from your neighbor’s. You can always find a slab that matches your flooring supply in Denver.

Home’s Value Increases

Your home’s market value can increase considerably if you install the slabs. There’s just so much demand for them due to the properties mentioned above. It will help you sell your house sooner than later.

Housing Boom Of The 2000s

The 2000s saw a housing boom which also contributed to the material’s popularity. Many builders would use granite slabs in the kitchen due to which it became a default option over the years. Many real estate agents advertised this feature to attract buyers. Owners of older houses also picked up the trend during renovations. Granite managed to rebuild its popularity even after the housing bubble burst.

Cutting Granite Has Become Simpler

When a slab arrives, someone has to cut it to the right size and grind it with industrial tools. This has become simpler with computerization. A fabricator can get the right size and create a hole for the sink with ease using a computer. This has made the materials more practical than it used to be.

Shipping Is Easier

Shipping costs kept granite prices high in the past. But the improvement in shipping through the use of shipping containers has reduced the cost considerably. It’s possible to precut the sabs before shipping, which also contributes to lower prices.

Rise In Granite Mining

Before the mid-90s and 2000s, Italy was the leader in the granite industry. But more countries like Brazil, China and India started investing more in mining the igneous rock and processing the slabs. These countries could supply slabs to the US at affordable rates. This meant an increase in demand and supply of the material.

According to the US International Trade Commission, granite imports surged from 206 thousand metric tons in 1996 to over 2 million metric tons in 2014.

In conclusion, you can summarize the reasons behind granite’s popularity into two aspects. The first is its superb qualities making it ideal for kitchens functionally and aesthetically. The second is the economic and technological factors that made it popular and available.