Remodeling Your Kitchen? The Pros and Cons of Installing Granite Countertops
Remodeling your kitchen is one of the smartest home improvements you can make. Updating your kitchen with new appliances, more comfortable eating spaces and brand new countertops will make your home more livable for your family, but it will also enhance the resale value of the property when it comes time to sell.
The kitchen is one of the first thing many buyers look at, and if they like what they see they are more likely to stick around and make an offer. If you have been putting off remodeling the kitchen, now is the time to act.
When you start planning the remodeling project, you will need to choose a material for your new countertops. Many homeowners are choosing to install granite countertops, but this material is not right in every instance. Here are some of the pros and cons of installing granite countertops during your kitchen remodel.
The Pros of Granite Countertops
- Granite countertops are attractive and durable. The deep veins and stunning beauty of a granite countertop is hard to beat, and their durability is second to none. If you are looking for a countertop that is likely to last a lifetime, granite is a great choice.
- Modern buyers love granite. Catering to the needs of modern buyers is one of the best ways to sell your home quickly and for more money. If you are remodeling the kitchen in anticipation of a future sale, installing granite countertops could be a smart investment.
- Granite is a sanitary choice for your countertops. Other surfaces can harbor hidden bacteria, including organisms that could make your family sick. Granite countertops are much more sanitary and far less likely to harbor harmful germs.
- Granite countertops can take the heat. You can move your hot frying pan from the stove to the countertop without fears of burning or marring the surface.
- Granite countertops are easy to clean. All you need is a mild cleaning solution and some warm water to keep the surface looking like new.
The Cons of Granite Countertops
- Granite is a heavy material. If you are remodeling the kitchen on your own, you will need all your strength to put the countertops in place.
- You cannot change the color. You will need to be sure you love the color of the granite countertop, since changing it will require ripping the entire thing out and starting over. If you get tired of the color or want to update the look of your kitchen, there is no way to change the look of the granite countertop.
- You will need to make sure your cabinets can support the weight of the granite countertops. Many kitchens will need additional structural support to take the added weight of a granite countertop.
- Granite is an expensive material. Compared to many other choices, granite is a costly material for your kitchen upgrade. Granite countertops are also difficult to install – definitely a more labor-intensive choice.
- Granite countertops can crack, and repairs could be costly. While granite countertops are durable, they are not indestructible. A sharp blow by a heavy object (like a meat cleaver) could leave a visible crack behind. Repairing that crack can be very expensive, so be careful where you swing.
Granite countertops can be a great choice for many homeowners, but granite is not the only material to consider. If you are updating your kitchen, you need to evaluate the pros and cons of each type of material and make your choice accordingly. Contact us today for a free quote to install your granite countertops.
