Choosing the right kitchen countertop is important when building a new kitchen or renovating an existing one. You need to find the suitable material for your needs, and you should choose something that will stand the test of time. Kitchen counters take a beating, and they need to be able to stand up to heat, moisture, scratches, and impacts.

Granite is one of the best materials available for kitchen countertops. This naturally hard and durable stone adds practicality and style to any kitchen and is available in many patterns and colors. The granite experts at Motor City Granite & Cabinets can help you decide which type of granite is best for your kitchen.

What is Granite?

Granite is a hard, natural rock formed as magma in the Earth’s crust that is cooled and crystallized. Granite is almost always found in large deposits and has different colors and patterns depending on other elements present when it cooled. Several famous mountains like Half Dome in Yosemite and Mt. Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro are made of solid granite.

Granite has been quarried and used since ancient times, and many famous buildings and statues are made of granite marble. The ancient Egyptians used red granite for sarcophagi in the Great Pyramids, and the Ancient Romans widely used it.

It has been used as a home building material for just as long and has been celebrated for its durability and beauty. Today, granite is extracted worldwide, with India, Brazil, and Norway the largest producers.

Different Types of Granite

Several different types of granite can be used for countertops. Each offers different mechanical properties and color and veining compositions due to the location it is found and its chemical and elemental makeup. Some popular types of granite countertop material include:

White Granite

A popular, clean-looking stone. It often has natural quartz, sodium, feldspar, calcium, and potassium flecks mixed in, giving the stone a beautifully textured look.

Gray Granite

Gray does not mean colorless or dull; this is often the most colorful type of granite, with green, red, blue, and yellow flakes speckled in the light grey base.

Black Granite

A luxurious and classy appearance often looks like a starry night with silver, gold, and copper flakes.

Brown Granite

A warm, rich, natural-looking granite popularly paired with dark-colored rich wood cabinetry.

Ubatuba Granite

A stone with many colors in it often gives it a rainbow-like appearance.

Benefits of Granite

Granite is not only one of the most popular stone countertop materials but also among the most hardwearing. Granite has several major benefits that set it apart from other countertop materials and make it well worth the investment.

Durable

Granite is scratch and chip-resistant. Granite slabs are taken from mines as one solid piece and, after the fabrication and installation process, are nearly indestructible.

Heat resistant

Granite was formed by heat and pressure, so a hot pan or baking dish will not damage a granite countertop.

Stain resistant

Though granite can be a mildly porous material, it is stain resistant and can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water. However, you may need to reseal it yearly to maintain its moisture and stain-resistant properties.

Unique

As granite is a naturally forming rock, every slab is unique in color and pattern. This brings a personal style to your home that can’t be replicated and allows you to choose the perfect slab for your kitchen at Motor City Granite & Cabinets.

Adds Value

A granite countertop can increase your home’s overall value by 25% of the countertop’s initial cost. It is an easy way to increase your home’s resale value with a reasonable and affordable price per square foot.

Granite Countertops for the Perfect Home Kitchen

While some designers and home experts are divided between granite and quartz countertops for the best kitchen countertop material, the solid durability and beauty of a granite kitchen counter truly can’t be equaled.

Motor City Granite & Cabinets is your source for the finest granite slabs for your home. Contact us today at (248) 690-9537 to find the perfect unique granite slab for your new kitchen.