A kitchen countertop is one of the biggest improvements you can make to your home, and it is not a small purchase. That is why it pays to plan it carefully, starting with the many types of countertops you can choose from.
For many people, a laminate or other synthetic countertop is attractive because it costs less. The trade-off is a surface that is usually less durable and less valued by buyers. That is why many homeowners end up saving for stone instead.
The search does not stop there, because there are many stone countertops as well: soapstone, marble, onyx, engineered quartz, and more. Among natural stones, one that continues to hold people’s attention is granite.
As a countertop, granite offers a lot: reasonable pricing, quality, and durability. For years it was the premier choice, especially in higher-end homes, until quartz and other materials began to share the spotlight.
The quality of granite has not changed, yet some homeowners believe its time has passed. If you are choosing a countertop, it is fair to ask whether a material is already out of style. Is that the case for granite?
The Rise and Fall of Granite
It helps to understand how granite became popular in the first place. For a long time it was a luxury material found mostly in expensive homes. As quarrying, shipping, and fabrication improved, it became widely available, and its combination of quality and price made it a standard feature in kitchens.
As it spread, more people came to appreciate the value of a stone countertop in general and of granite countertops in particular. That attention also opened the door to other materials, such as marble, soapstone, and later engineered quartz.
At its peak, granite was the default choice. Almost every homeowner planning a kitchen considered it, and that ubiquity was the beginning of the problem.
With so much supply, the price of common granite colors came down. Some people took the lower price, and the fact that granite was suddenly everywhere, to mean that it was no longer special. The quality of the stone itself never changed.
As granite became less of a novelty, other countertops rose. Quartz and marble in particular took a growing share of new kitchens, and granite is no longer the automatic first choice it once was.
Is Granite Out of Style?
Becoming less popular and being out of style are two different things. Being less popular means it is no longer the most common choice. Being out of style would mean people can no longer find a place for granite in their homes.
In terms of looks, granite is still one of the better-looking countertops you can buy. It is a real natural stone, after all. It may not have the classic veining of marble, but it gives a kitchen depth and a sense of quality.
One of the good things about granite is that it comes in a very wide variety of colors and patterns. You can find a good granite color for almost any kitchen, which matters if style is your main concern.
Because of that versatility, many people are taking a second look at granite. It may not be the most fashionable option at the moment, but it gives a kitchen a natural, one-of-a-kind look that is hard to pass up.
It is hard to call granite out of style when natural stone as a whole remains in demand. Many homeowners prefer natural stone to other countertop materials because it is both durable and attractive.
White and gray marbles dominate the marble market, and marble needs more care, so it is not the right countertop for every home. Granite fills that gap. Many homeowners end up choosing granite because it gives them the color they want with less upkeep.
So why is granite less popular now? Mainly because quartz and marble are strong competitors. Marble is the luxury choice, and quartz is the low-maintenance one. Many buyers choose between those two without giving granite a serious look.
That does not mean granite is inferior. It is still one of the best countertops available in terms of durability. If you are considering it, here are a few reasons to go ahead.
Why Granite?
One of the main reasons to choose granite is its versatility. It comes in a wide variety of colors, so whatever style you are going for, there is likely to be a granite that fits your home.
In durability, granite is among the hardest of the natural stones used for countertops. It is scratch-resistant and heat-resistant, and when it is sealed it resists water and stains as well.
That does not mean you should abuse it. As with any natural stone, it pays to take care of your countertop, including resealing it periodically, so that it stays in good condition for a long time.
Another benefit of granite is that it is easy to find. It is not a rare stone, and nearly every fabricator that sells natural stone carries it, usually with many colors available to view as full slabs.
A granite countertop is also a sound investment in your home. It is a durable, natural surface that does not depend on fashion, and a well-kept stone countertop remains a selling point.
Granite might not be as dominant as it used to be, but it has not gone away. With accessible pricing for many colors and the same quality it has always had, it will remain a prominent part of the market, and tastes may well swing back toward it.
When you choose your next countertop, give granite serious consideration. It might be the right countertop for your kitchen even if you had not given it much thought.