Advantages of Granite Worktops

Granite has a long and rich history as a building material. Its incredible durability and distinctive beauty made it a perfect candidate for constructing enduring monuments. The Pharaohs used granite to decorate their elaborate burial chambers, and Roman emperors used it to create everything from roads to the Pantheon.

The fact that the Pantheon, built nearly 2,000 years ago, still stands today is a testament to the fact that the ancient world's architects were undoubtedly on to something.

Since then, granite has been a staple building material for palaces, castles, bathhouses, churches and statues. Today, granite is rarely used to build grand buildings or roads, thanks to much cheaper building materials.

However, granite continues to be used as an excellent material for crafting stunning kitchen worktops. This article will guide you through why you should choose granite for your next worktop.

We'll also throw in some tips for keeping your granite worktop in pristine condition for many years. 

Durability

Granite is an extremely tough natural material that will last a long time in your kitchen. Think of a granite worktop as a long-term investment. Not only will you have a fully functioning worktop for many years to come, but you will also save money in the long run by not having to replace your worktop after five years like you would with less durable alternatives.

Heat resistance 

We've all been there. You're pulling a piping hot casserole dish out of the oven, the dish towel you're using in place of the elusive oven gloves is too thin, and your hands are burning. You thump the dish onto the nearest worktop and... whoops, nasty-looking burn mark.

Granite worktops, however, can easily withstand even the hottest dishes you could throw at them.

Water resistance

While granite left untreated would eventually be susceptible to water seeping into it and causing water damage, all granite worktops will be professionally sealed. This sealing process produces a kitchen worktop extremely resistant to water seepage.

To keep your worktop in good working order, you'll need to reseal it now and again, but we'll cover that in the maintenance section below.

Scratch resistance 

Other kitchen worktops, such as Corian or stainless steel, will accumulate scratches over time, diminishing their aesthetic appeal and creating tiny grooves for dirt and bacteria to build up in.

The great thing about granite is you don't have to worry about that as it's just so robust that it will resist scrapes and scratches. The smooth, polished surface of your worktop will be maintained for a very long time, making cleaning and maintenance much more manageable.

Aesthetics 

Two outstanding characteristics of granite make it the perfect choice for any kitchen. No matter if your kitchen is big or small, dark or light, old or new, the wide range of colours and intricate natural markings of granite means there will be granite to suit your specific tastes and design requirements.

There is a mind-boggling array of colours to choose from: black to white, greens, blues, yellows and pinks. Because it's a natural material, the number of subtle varieties in colour is virtually unlimited.

What makes granite genuinely stunning, however, is its beautiful natural markings. Granite is formed when magma cools and crystallises below the earth's surface, and because it's a combination of various substances, mesmerising patterns are formed. The different veins and grains in each granite type add a unique character to your worktop and kitchen.   

Hygienic

The silky smooth finish of your granite worktop makes it as hard as possible for dirt and bacteria to accumulate there. And with how easy it is to keep clean, granite provides the most hygienic area to safely prepare food for you and your family. 

Maintenance

Cleaning 

As a granite worktop should be considered a long-term investment, you should do all you can to ensure it is kept in tip-top condition. This will ensure you get the most value for your money. Thankfully, looking after your granite worktop is pretty straightforward.

In terms of regular cleaning, no more than warm water with a bit of washing-up liquid is required to keep your granite looking its best. A quick wipe down with a soft cloth after mealtimes is optimal as foodstuff, particularly acidic foods like tomatoes, should be allowed to sit on the surface for as little time as possible.

The main thing to remember is what NOT to use on your granite worktop. These include rough, abrasive sponges, strong alkaline soaps, bleach or cleaning products with a high chlorine concentration. These products will damage the surface and leave your worktop susceptible to staining.

Resealing  

Unless you buy from cowboys, your granite worktop will come with a sealant already applied. However, these eventually break down over time, so you'll need to reseal the granite. There's no equation for how often you should do this, but a yearly reseal is a good rule of thumb.

You should be able to tell when the granite needs to be resealed because water spilt on the surface will spread out and darken the area rather than forming water droplets. When water droplets form, you know you've got an excellent tight seal.

Heavy objects 

Whilst it is resistant to heat, water and scratches, the one thing to avoid is weighty objects landing on the worktop or excess pressure being put on the corners. While still unlikely, heavy objects can crack or chip granite, and extra pressure will put undue stress on the worktop, straining its structure. 

The final say 

We've tried to pack in as much information as we could into this guide to granite worktops, and we hope you've found it helpful whether you're unsure of going for granite or need some advice for looking after your worktop.

The bottom line is granite is a superb choice for your kitchen worktops. It'll handle lots of kitchen work in its stride; it's easy to clean, simple to maintain and lasts for many years.