When people think kitchen renovations, they often think about granite countertops. There are a lot of decisions and upgrades people can make to a kitchen renovation, but granite countertops always seem to be high on that list. What makes granite countertops popular with kitchen installations? Well there are several reasons, so let’s find out what they are.

Granite Countertops Look Great

Let’s get some harsh truths out of the way, first. Getting a return on investment for any renovation comes down to several things, but an important factor is aesthetics. When people remodel or renovate a kitchen, they likely want to update it to make it look great. Granite countertops have a beautiful and classic look that works in any kitchen and with any kitchen style. It may seem harsh, but aesthetics matter when it comes to the kitchen, and this can greatly affect the resale or rental potential of any home. When people see old and out-dated laminate or tile kitchen countertops, even if the rest of the home looks great, they are going to see an out-dated kitchen that will need time and money to fix. To help increase future buyer interest and resale value, upgrading to beautiful-looking granite countertops will help.

Granite Countertops Are Unique

When someone looks at a sample tile of granite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granite) for a kitchen countertop, he or she is only looking at the potential of what the countertop might look like. Since granite is a natural stone, composed of different minerals in varying amounts (like quartz, feldspar, mica, and amphibole), the look and coloring of each piece of granite is unique. Depending on the ratio of the specific minerals in the granite, the color and texture of the granite countertop will vary from stone to stone. Some granite countertops might be light, others darker. Some might have minerals with a large, coarse look, and others might have a mineral with a finer look. While granite is a natural stone that looks great in any home, the truth is that no two granite countertops will look the same—that natural look simply cannot be duplicated. No matter what style or color scheme of granite countertop people are interested in, they will be sure to find a beautiful and unique piece of granite that is perfect for their home.

Granite Countertops Are Durable

Having a great-looking kitchen countertop is one thing, but it also needs to be durable for all the stress that takes place in the kitchen. It might seem like any solid material would work well for a countertop, but that is not the case. Laminate countertops can crack and break, and they can show signs of early wear and tear. Marble countertops can seem just as durable as granite countertops—but do not be fooled; marble is actually less durable than granite countertops. Marble is not scratch resistant and requires more care and detail than a granite countertop. Stainless steel countertops show fingerprints easily and require constant cleaning to look great. Wood countertops require special sealer and care in order for the wood not to be damaged by potentially spilled liquids, like water or lemon juice. If properly installed, granite countertops only need to be sealed once every two years, and they only need to be cleaned with a cloth and mild dish soap to prevent staining. This means the granite countertop will look and function great for years to come without a whole lot of maintenance.

Granite Countertops Are Durable Outside

Yes, this is about kitchen countertops, but more and more people (particularly those who live in areas that experience mild winters) are renovating their patios and decks, and installing outdoor kitchens. Inside a home, a granite countertop does not have to account for sudden changes in temperature, wind, rain, hail, sleet, or even snow. However, when it comes to outdoor kitchen countertops, granite is stronger, more durable, and more stain and scratch resistant than other materials—some of which (like wood) just would not be practical. For those who want to cook or grill outdoors, installing a granite countertop in an outdoor kitchen is the way to go.