First impressions really do matter, especially when it comes to the most used room in your home—the kitchen. What do guests see when they visit your kitchen?
If you’re considering a facelift for your kitchen, installing stone countertops is one design move that can make a dramatic impact. No need to limit natural stone finishes to the kitchen. They also add a touch of elegance in bathrooms and other areas of your home where you need a solid work surface.
We’re so fond of natural stone we’ve put together 9 reasons you should choose them for your home’s countertops.
Natural Stone Adds Value
Stone countertops may not increase the resale value of your home, but they do add value.
When you’re ready to sell your home, granite or quartz countertops add appeal to your home. In fact, 57% of home buyers in 2019 are looking for granite countertops. Install them and when you list your home, you’ll attract more prospective buyers.
The value of granite, quartz, or other natural stone finishes isn’t limited to resale value. If you’re not thinking about selling but simply want an attractive home you can be proud of, then choosing stone adds aesthetic value.
Stone Is Strong
If you’re looking for durability, and you should in kitchens and other high-use areas, you can’t beat granite or quartz.
On the durability scale, it’s difficult to find a more durable countertop material than granite. Granite is scratch and chip-resistant. Setting a hot pan on a granite countertop isn’t the end of the world either since it’s also heat resistant.
We said it’s hard to find a countertop material stronger than granite but we didn’t say it was impossible.
Quartz is harder than granite making it a little more durable. A quartz countertop can buffer the effect of someone banging a heavy pot on it. Quartz doesn’t crack or ding and you’ll have a hard time scratching it.
Cleaning Is a Breeze
As much as you love your kitchen, you prefer not spending every waking minute scrubbing counters. Stone kitchen countertops are the busy homeowner’s best friend when it comes to cleaning.
Grab a soft sponge or kitchen cloth and mild soap. That’s all you need for quartz countertops. You can also apply a stone polish (but not every time you clean) and help keep the surface shiny.
Clean granite countertop with the same soft sponge and mild dish soap or household cleaner.
The difference between granite and quartz?
Granite is porous. Because it’s porous, granite isn’t naturally stain-resistant. With routine sealing, it can be just as resistant to oils and acids as quartz.
Hint: Quartz doesn’t require sealing.
The Allure of Low Maintenance
Just like you don’t want to spend all your free time cleaning your countertops, you also don’t want to worry about maintaining them.
For most natural stone countertops, maintenance means cleaning up spills quickly. They’ll also look nicer if you wipe them down after each use.
Since quartz doesn’t need resealing it’s the easiest to maintain and it keeps a beautiful appearance with minimal effort. Because granite requires the extra step of yearly sealing, it’s not maintenance-free but it’s certainly considered low-maintenance.
Stone Countertops Are Family Friendly
Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, you may have kids who love joining you when you prepare meals. Or you may have elderly family members who still enjoy cooking but often forget and set a hot pan down on the countertop.
Granite takes the heat. Quartz can take abuse. Both are family-friendly options for home countertops.
Quartz takes family-friendly a step further. Since it’s nonporous, it doesn’t absorb bacteria from spills. Quartz is virtually bacteria free.
This should be an attractive trait whether you have children or not. It’s especially attractive if you have animals (think cats) that get up on counters and walk around. Fluffy won’t scratch the surface and any germs she leaves can be easily wiped away.
You Want a Contemporary Look
The point of remodeling a kitchen is creating an updated, modern look.
If you choose natural stone for your countertops you can’t go wrong. Sleek straight lines lend an air of both elegance and distinction. Even if you keep your existing fixtures, you’ll bring your home into the 21st century when you install quartz or granite countertops.
Going with stone doesn’t mean you’re stuck with an ultra-contemporary design style. You can still choose a traditional, rustic, or vintage style. Natural stone modernizes but is also versatile.
The Unique Look of Stone
When planning your remodeling project, look for inspiration from reality television shows or your best friend’s new home. Then go for your own unique look.
Cut from slabs of 100% natural stone, each piece of granite has a completely unique appearance. You’d be hard pressed to find two identical slabs.
While quartz is more uniform due to the manufacturing process, you can still create a unique look with color and pattern selections.
For example, manufacturers can make quartz resemble marble—another natural stone known for its distinctive veins. Marble is one of the most unique countertop materials.
Granite and quartz both lend themselves to the creative use of color and texture.
Natural Stone Comes in Many Colors
If you thought natural stone only comes in a few boring colors, you’ll be thrilled when you see the hundreds of shades and colors available in both granite and quartz.
For many interior decorators (that’s you), the vast amount of color choices mean the countertops take on the role of the focal point for the kitchen or bath.
Certainly, you can choose quartz or granite in the more monotone white, gray, or black colors. But you should also rejoice in the fact that by adding pigments during manufacturing quartz comes in a dazzling range of colors.
You’ll find granite in shades of white, black, brown, beige, blue and red. No matter what design style you choose, there’s a stone countertop that complements your décor.
Learn More about Stone Counter Tops
We’ve shared 9 reasons why you’ll love stone countertops. Now tell us, are you inspired?
Which reason do you choose? Durability, low-maintenance, versatility, or beauty? Maybe you like the idea of adding value to your home. Whatever the reason, you won’t make a mistake with natural stone.
We’d love to help you learn more about our selection of granite and quartz. Contact us today so we can help you choose your new countertops.
