Granite has been a popular pick in countertops for decades. The unique blend of colors and patterns in each slab of granite swirl into each other, creating a one-of-a-kind countertop. Slabs are available in a wide range of colors, from the deep, midnight black hues of Absolute Black to the beautiful, striking blue pigment of Van Gogh granite.
There’s no doubt about the intrinsic beauty and unique nature of granite. But is the material outdated for countertops, or does it remain a timeless wonder? This article tackles this question, so hang around to learn more!
What Kinds Of Granite Countertops Are There?
Granite products usually come in two main types: solid granite and composite granite. Solid granite slabs are a typical pick for countertops, as they offer distinctive patterns and colors. These slabs are solely composed of raw granite.
On the other hand, composite granite is another available option. Composite granite is popular for other products, like kitchen sinks, but less so with kitchen countertops. This granite consists of an acrylic resin combined with crushed stone.
Both materials offer exceptional strength and durability, but solid granite tends to be the popular pick for kitchen countertops. Homeowners seeking the unique patterns, grains, and colors of granite usually opt for solid granite, as composite granite presents an entirely different appearance.
If composite granite or slabs of granite for your countertops doesn’t meet your aesthetic preferences, you can also find granite tile for countertops.
Granite slabs come in a wide range of colors. While minimalist white is an exceptionally popular pick, colors span the entire spectrum. A few of the most popular colors as of 2022 include:
- Alaska White Granite: Light base with dark flecks of pigment
- Black Galaxy Granite: Deep black with speckles of gray, white, and jet-black, pairs well with white cabinets
- Picasso Granite: Grayish base with varying granite patterns and color splotches
- Namibian Gold Granite: Mostly gold with brown and khaki pigments, flecked with black and grey veins
- Black Pearl Leather Granite: Deep, solid black, with subtle hints of blue and gray tones
- Azurite Granite: Gold-tinged gray base with veins and splotches of blue, gold, cream, and brown
- Typhoon Green Granite: Ranges from olive green to deep brown, with natural highlights
- Almond Gold Granite: Primarily goldish hue with neutral tones, including brown and beige highlights
- White Ice Granite: White base with flecks of blue and gray
- Blue Pearl Granite: Boasts varying shades of deep and medium blues
- Andromeda White Granite: Primarily white with white and beige flecks of color
- African Ivory Granite: Cream-colored base with gold, blue, and gray
- Costa Esmerelda Granite: Features greenish hues
In addition to varying colors, granite counters also come in varying finishes, including leathered, polished, honed, and flamed.
What Is The Most Popular Kitchen Countertop Material?
As of 2022, quartzite remains at the forefront of the kitchen-countertop-material spotlight. The veined nature of the material is a popular choice for many kitchens. These slabs have lighter or darker stone strands running through the solid field.
Quartzite is a naturally occurring stone made up of more than 90 percent quartzite, although some slabs contain as much as 99 percent quartzite. When sandstone or chert rich in quartz undergoes extreme heat and high pressure, the stone occurs. The result is a stone with a glassy surface that can resemble marble in some cases.
Like granite, quartzite is heat, scratch, and stain-resistant, making it a popular choice for many kitchens. However, quartzite slabs are pricier than granite, which may deter some homeowners. Of course, it depends on which slab you purchase, as some granite slabs cost nearly $400 per square foot.
Is Granite An Outdated Material?
Although quartz countertops upstaged granite countertops, granite remains a trendy pick for kitchen counters. Granite made its debut in the 1920s in luxury homes but didn’t become popular until the nineties.
The stone began gaining traction in the seventies but surged to the forefront of kitchen countertop materials about twenty years later. Homeowners began integrating the stone into their kitchen designs, creating quite the demand.
People were fond of granite for its durability, ease of cleaning, and relatively low-maintenance nature. As granite became the go-to choice, Formica counters and other materials became less common.
Sales have skyrocketed since its introduction, as it became a staple in millions of kitchens around the world. Many countries rose to meet the demand, mining granite worldwide. Some colors and types are extremely expensive due to rarity, while others are more commonplace.
While granite was the sought-after choice in the nineties and early 2000s, marble and quartz countertops have risen in popularity in recent years. So, will marble and quartz completely unseat granite?
The answer ultimately depends on each homeowner’s preferences, but as a general answer, no, they probably won’t. According to economists, granite countertop sales are projected to grow into 2025, continuing on their popular path.
What Colors Of Granite Are Outdated?
Since minimalistic designs are trending, colors like solid white and pure black granite countertops are popular. Busy and dominating designs, like dark speckled granites, are less popular. In a sense, these colors are ‘outdated’ because of the direction kitchen design trends have taken.
Why Is Granite So Popular?
Homeowners and consumers alike seek out the material for its abundant benefits and unique nature, and the chance of the buzz dying out entirely is doubtful. Granite is popular for a number of reasons, including:
- Easy to clean
- Wide range of color options
- Unique nature due to granite color, grain, and pattern variation
- Highly durable
- Easy to maintain
- Available in ranging price points
Even if your granite countertops have been around for decades, refreshing them to their original glory usually isn’t hard, providing they’re still in good shape. A new coat of sealant works wonders for granite surfaces, replenishing the stone’s luster. If you take good care of the surface, your granite countertop investment will last many years.
Will Granite Come Back Into Style?
Although the kitchen countertop spotlight doesn’t focus solely on granite these days, there’s a good chance granite will come back into style. When the public focus returns to warmer hues to match the trending palette and design, granite will likely surge to the forefront once again.
With that said, the blotchy builder-grade granite is unlikely to return to the primary pick list. If and when granite becomes the trending choice once again, materials like quartz and marble will also likely remain relevant.
Should I Choose A Different Countertop Material?
This brings us around to the main question: is granite outdated? Should I choose a different material altogether? Although it isn’t the most popular material in kitchen countertops anymore, it still holds a high place. Granite remains a go-to countertop material.
Kitchen trends lean towards minimalistic designs with clean lines, and granite doesn’t always fit within this aesthetic. However, rich black hues and pale white slabs tend to match the design trends, hence the popularity of these colors.
With that said, just because a slab of granite doesn’t meet current design trends doesn’t mean you should change your plans to accommodate someone else’s taste. If you’re decorating your own home, the design and color palette are completely and utterly up to you.
So, whether you prefer the clean lines of modern design or the classic features of traditional kitchen designs, design your kitchen to reflect you and your aesthetic tastes. In some cases, that may include granite countertops, while in others, the surfaces might be composed of some other material entirely.
Is Granite Worth The Cost?
Like other natural stone countertops, granite slabs tend to have a steep price tag. Cheaper slabs usually start around $40 per square foot, while rare and expensive slabs can cost up to $400 per square foot. Tans, whites, and greens tend to be on the cheaper end of the spectrum, while blues are the rarest and most expensive slabs of all the granite types.
The price hinges on the rarity of the stone, its color, and the composition of the slab. In addition, the installation, shipping, removal of existing counters, and modifications (cutouts for sinks, plumbing, etc.) may also drive the price.
Regardless of if you choose the least expensive option or the rarest granite out there, granite countertops are always a good investment. With the proper care and maintenance, these counters will last decades. Their durability and unique beauty withstand the harsh ticking of the clock, creating a timelessness unparalleled by many other countertop materials.