Why White Granite Kitchen Countertops are a Top Choice
Undecided between granite, marble, and quartz for your countertops? Read on.
(Above) White granite kitchen countertop in Hannah’s Sweeten renovation
The all-white kitchen with white granite kitchen countertops and cabinets is a classic go-to style. Lately, bright pops of color on the kitchen island, fully-colored cabinets, and wood tones are becoming more popular.
White countertops are a natural pairing to these playing a supporting role. The look is clean and modern. Sweeten explores why white granite countertops get top billing.
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Why is granite so popular?
Granite is a beautiful, natural stone that conveys a modern and luxurious feel. Because granite is made of organic materials, each piece is unique. There is also the option to pair white kitchen cabinets with granite countertops in the wide-range of colors and patterns available.
This versatility makes it suitable in any style kitchen.
Granite is also very durable. On the Mohs Scale, a hardness rating tool, granite outperforms soapstone, slate, marble, limestone, and travertine. (It is nearly as hard as quartz, which beats it by a hair.) As a result, granite cannot be scratched by a knife, making it an ideal working kitchen material.
It’s easy to get, and easier to cut. In the early 2000s, more countries entered the granite countertop marketplace. From 1996 to 2014, granite imports increased tenfold, to 2 million metric tons of granite being imported each year. With the re-energized demand for housing, granite imports are nearly back to their pre-recession high.
Additionally, advances in computerized cutting have made installations more accessible to the average homeowner. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!
Why choose white granite kitchen countertops?
With so many colorful granite options available, why should you consider white granite as countertops? You can also get that clean look in marble, quartz, and quartzite.
- Only the white granite kitchen countertop combines durability, easy maintenance, and natural veining
- It offers a wide range of looks, but can also emulate the cleaner lines of quartzite, quartz, or marble
- While quartzite is harder than granite, it can stain with dark markings, called etching, caused by acidic foods like lemons or ketchup
- Granite looks more natural than a manufactured quartz trying to imitate the look of marble
- Marble isn’t as durable or easy to care for as granite
- There are granite slabs that match the color and patterns of marble veining
Finally, the pros of granite far outweigh the cons.
Pros and cons of granite
Pros:
- Extremely durable: heat resistant, won’t etch or scratch
- Easy to maintain; needs sealing only once per year
- Comes in wide array of colors, with simple or elaborate patterns
- This popular material can be easily sourced
Cons:
- The natural stone is porous, making it susceptible to staining and bacteria if not sealed properly
- Because of typical slab size, granite countertops may require more seams than a quartz slab might
Cost and care of white granite countertops
Cost comparisons
Because it is more rare, white granite tends to be more expensive than darker colors. Granite in general can range vastly, from $45 to $270 per square foot, installed. Be sure to shop around or ask your contractor. They most likely have good relationships with vendors who can offer better pricing.
Sealing for easy protection
However, it is easy to maintain granite countertops. Seal your countertops with a water- and oil-repellent granite sealer upon installation. Repeat this once per year. Simply clear off your countertops, spray them with sealer, let them sit for 20 minutes, and blot any standing wet spots. Keep countertops clear for 48 hours to allow the sealer to fully dry.
Daily clean
With daily use, wipe down your countertops with a soft cloth and use a gentle cleanser for cleaning. While granite countertops are heat resistant, use trivets and coasters to maintain the sealant’s integrity and avoid potential staining or discoloration.
With so many options in countertop materials, it can feel difficult to make a decision. White granite countertops are the perfect blend of a modern style with lasting utility.
More popular questions
A soft cloth and gentle soap or cleanser should be used to clean granite countertops. With daily use of granite countertops, they should be cleaned each day. By using trivets and coasters, it avoids staining or other damage and maintains the protectant sealant.
White granite is usually more expensive than darker granite because of its rarity. Yet, all granite costs vary greatly, ranging from $45-$270 per square foot. Make sure to work with your contractor, they will likely have some connections with vendors.
Upon installation place a water-and-oil repellent sealer on the granite countertops. The granite should be resealed once a year after that. To start, clear off your counter and spray it with the sealer. Let it sit for 20 minutes. After blotting the wet spots, let it stand for 48 hours to fully dry.
Granite countertops are exceptionally durable; it is heat resistant and won’t scratch. However, if not sealed properly, it can allow in bacteria and staining. Quartz countertops require less seams than granite, but it imitates the look of marble making it look less natural.
Each slab of granite is one-of-a-kind because they are made of organic materials. Granite countertops have a broad scale of patterns and colors, such as white, black, brown, beige, blue, and green.
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