Is granite really worth the extra $$ in the kitchen? What are the pros and cons?

Question

The size of pieces I need for new counter tops in the kitchen could run me over $7,000 if granite, yet I could replace the tops with formica looking like granite for about $700.

What is so bad about formica other than being out of date? I have never had a bad experience with it, cleaning, cutting foods, prepping food, placing hot containers on it, and cleaning with strong chemicals. It seems cheap and indestructable. How much better is granite and WHY?

Answer 1

Granite is definately worth the extra money when putting in countertops.  You also need to look at what price point your home is in, and if you are going to be selling anytime in the future.  Buyers in todays market really expect to have granite in homes priced between $225,000-$250,000 and up.  Research also shows that sellers get back 150% of what they spend on their granite countertops when selling their homes.  If you are looking to increase the value of your home, granite is definately the best option.  You also have to remember that if you put granite in your home you will probably never have to replace it.  

The only downfall to granite is that you will need to seal it, but do your research.  There are several companies out there who can seal your granite putting a lifetime warranty on the surface against staining.  These sealers only have to be done once.  Wherever you are located, I suggest you shop around and see what the different fabricators in the area can offer you.

Also, please be aware that best price isn't always the best option.  A lot of fabricators use a commercial grade granite.  Commercial grade is comparable to seconds.  It is actually filled with a resin coating when it comes out of the mines.  This resin will begin to wear off after a few years of use and you will be left with major pitting in your stone.  Do your research and make sure that the company you go with uses "Grade A" stone.  A good way to save money is to go directly to a granite fabricator.  When you go to bigger box stores, they are getting their stone from local fabricators.  This means they jack up the price, to make a profit.  If at all possible it is best to cut out the middle man.

Replacing your countertops is a lot of work, and there are a lot of different options to consider.  Just do your research and think about how you are going to benefit from each option in the future.

Answer 2

It looks great, and is very durable... but there are so many better places for the money to go in my opinion.

Answer 3

Granite does have it's pros and cons.  My husband, who can do about anything around the house, installed it in our kitchen.  Pros:  It's beautiful, you can put hot or cold pots, pans, etc. on it, when clean you can use it for flouring dough for bread and kneed it right on the counter.  Cons:  You need to seal it after installation, and never, ever use cleaners with citrus (lemon, orange, etc.)  Other than that I believe it's the best stuff out there.

Answer 4

Formica is fine, you have so many choices that if you tire of it it's easy to change out. Granite is for people who want that gourmet kitchen, love the way it looks. Granite is easy to care for once a year you seal it which is like wiping on water with a towel and allowing it to dry. Granite is also  heat resistant and adds a lot of value to your home if you ever plan on selling it.

Good luck

Answer 5

if you actually use your kitchen, then dont get granite. it needs to be sealed every year, and it is very porus so if you get water on it you have to  wipe it up right away and if anything else is spilled on it, it can soak in and ruin the granite.  its definately not worth the money. formica is alright, but if you want something really durable, go with solid surface or quartz. both are not too expensive and hold up very well.

Answer 6

Ive seen polished concrete bench top slabs on TV,,,,,,when done correctly they buff up to a high gloss and look just like marble......I'm sorry,,I don't know about the costs though.

Answer 7

an alternative is to put in granite tiles, should cost you much less.  If you're going with formica, do not use a granite pattern, you're not fooling anyone (it's like putting a BMW logo on a Nissan).  Any time you use a natural material, there will be some upkeep.  If you are a DIY person, there are concrete counter top kits that you can buy.  Done properly, concrete counters looks awesome.