Most homeowners think of granite as a beautiful countertop option, but also a very costly one. In fact, the price of granite has dropped significantly in recent years. Today it’s often priced lower than some synthetics, including engineered stone, frequently referred to as quartz. Considering its durability and natural beauty, granite is perhaps today’s best value among countertop choices.
This is perhaps one of the more enduring myths surrounding granite. Granite is exceptionally stain resistant, more so than many synthetic materials. For years architects have used granite as an external cladding surface in commercial buildings because of its ability to withstand nature’s elements and retain its original beauty. Granite is also the only product being used for outdoor memorials and monuments.
Another common misconception about granite countertops is that they must be re-sealed on a regular basis (some even suggest annual applications) to prevent them from staining. The likelihood of staining granite through normal kitchen use is so low that it hardly deserves a second thought. For those who think otherwise, we recommend asking granite homeowners about their experience.
This is a true statement for marble, but not for granite. Granite is an extremely dense substance. Diamond is one of the few materials harder than granite, which is why diamond pads are used to polish it. Normal household activities simply do not introduce sufficient abrasion to the surface of granite to dull it. Rest assured that your granite countertop will maintain it’s brand new shine for decades to come.
Maintenance for granite is virtually non-existent. Routine cleaning with mild soap and water, as you would do with any countertop surface, is all that’s needed.
Considering that granite was magma, it’s easy to understand why it’s able to withstand exceptionally high levels of heat. The heat from pots and pans won’t cause any damage to a granite countertop. Meals cooked at over 375-400°F will scorch synthetic solid surfaces, which offer heat resistance only up to that temperature. Granite, on the other hand, has no constituent materials capable of burning at under several thousand degrees. In fact, it will not scorch even when exposed to direct flame.
Granite is rock. No one has ever come forward with scientific evidence to suggest granite or any other rocks are harmful to your health. This rather preposterous myth emerged just about the time solid surfaces were introduced. In actuality, radon gas emissions are more harmful from surfaces such as concrete, cement and gypsum which surround us on a daily basis. The Marble Institute of America reports that “radon is a naturally occurring gas generated by the decay of trace amounts of uranium found in the earth’s crust throughout the world. It is an unstable gas that quickly breaks down and dissipates in the air.” No one today takes credit for starting the rumor, and certainly no one supports it. (By the way, granite contains crystals that some people believe have healing properties.) Most experts would agree, however, that granite isn’t going to cure you or kill you. It’s just a pretty rock that makes a great countertop.
Another frequently repeated myth is that granite harbors harmful bacteria; that somehow germs retreat into nooks and crannies in granite, lying in wait to make us sick. Records maintained by The Center for Disease Control confirm that there is absolutely no evidence of granite harboring bacteria or of anyone getting sick from bacteria in granite. Additionally, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, as well as the Hospitality Industry, give granite a clean bill of health. Granite is no more or less sanitary than any other surface.
Granite can indeed be repaired, it just doesn’t break very easily or very often, so no one’s making a living fixing it. If granite chips or cracks (which can happen if it is struck with a heavy object), it can be refinished or repaired with colored epoxies
