Pros & Cons of Granite Countertops – FeelsWarm (2024)

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Pros & Cons of Granite Countertops – FeelsWarm? ›

The surface can also feel somewhat sandy or dusty if a sealer was applied incorrectly or left on the surface to dry for an extended period of time. A granite countertop of sufficient quality should feel as smooth as glass.

The surface can also feel somewhat sandy or dusty if a sealer was applied incorrectly or left on the surface to dry for an extended period of time. A granite countertop of sufficient quality should feel as smooth as glass.

Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly. So briefly putting a hot pan down on your granite countertop isn't going to cause long-term damage. That said, we don't recommend putting hot pans on granite countertops — not for the granite's sake but for yours.

Not only is granite heat resistant, it actually absorbs heat quite well. Because of this, hot dishes or pans left on a granite countertop will cool faster than normal. Therefore, it's best to use a towel or hot pad between the pan and the counter.

Any granite that you purchase, no matter its source or its grade may have natural fissures or pits in its surface. Some of these are harmless; cosmetic cracks or small indentations in the stone. But others could actually weaken the structure and integrity of the countertop.

Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.

Because heat drains quickly through granite, the flooring does not feel hot. The fibers in wood and carpeted floors heat up, but the heated air does not escape rapidly, resulting in a warm sensation. Though the granite's surface appears cool, its temperature is comparable to that of the air in your home.

Over time, various factors like improper cleaning, hard water deposits, and lack of regolar polishing can contribute to the doll appearance of granite countertops.

Quality granite can be identified by being about an inch thick, free of cracks and blemishes, having a beautiful pattern, and having low porosity. The three grades of low, medium, and high-grade granite are determined by these characteristics and how rare the color pattern is.

Granite is so heat resistant that you can place a hot dish directly on it without leaving marks or stains. When it comes to heat-resistant materials, quartz is your second-best bet. You can't easily scorch quartz, but you will want to use a hot pad before placing a dish directly on it, or you could damage the quartz.

How do you fix heat damage on granite? ›

Remedying Damage

To repair this damage, apply a restorative paste or liquid product to the granite counter. Rub the product into the granite counter lightly to remove the discoloration.

The best thing you can do when setting down hot pots, pans, and appliances to prevent damaging your granite countertops is to place potholders or other heat-resistant materials first. This will create a barrier between the direct heat and the countertop.

They can be porous.

If you don't seal your granite countertops, or the stone was poorly sealed from the start, there is a chance that liquids could be absorbed, creating long-lasting stains.

Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.

Just because granite can hold up to extreme temperatures does not mean that it is a good idea to leave countertops in an outdoor kitchen exposed to the sun. By mid-afternoon on a hot summer day, the surface of your granite countertop will be hot to the touch.

Taking the time to care for your granite will help maintain the natural beauty of your countertops. Quartz, on the other hand, is much easier to clean and maintain. Because quartz is a manufactured product, it is non-porous and more resistant to staining. Quartz is also well known for being GERM-FREE.

The good news is there isn't much to learn when deep-cleaning your granite countertops. For all its temperamental qualities, natural stone is quite easy to clean; regular soap and water are truly all you need to keep granite surfaces clean and sparkling.

A well-maintained granite countertop should survive for around 100 years or more. The key statement here is “well-maintained.” While granite can withstand the typical day-to-day wear and tear, granite countertops do require some maintenance to ensure their sustainability similar to most things of value.

Granite is a strong material but can still suffer damage when it is impacted hard enough. Repeatedly setting hot cookware on the counter can result in cracks due to thermal cycling.