Granite is found worldwide. In the early days it was used to build temples and eventually became a staple in exterior finishes, mostly in the Far and Middle East. When the Europeans started to discover these societies, the choice of granite as building material soon crossed the Atlantic.

Granite is very hard, and that makes it durable. In fact, the hardness of granite is rivaled only by diamonds. Its very property makes it a favorite for countertops especially among professional chefs. It is also very versatile in that it can easily withstand the heat of pots and pans just removed from a stove, and on the other extreme, serves as an excellent surface for rolling dough.

While professionals admire granite for its strength and versatility, homeowners usually marvel at its natural beauty. Architects or interior designers find that granite countertops complement any style of cabinetry while adding color to a kitchen, whether it is newly built or remodeled.

Granite comes in many colors with variations of white, brown, blue, red, green, black, etc. As mentioned above, they easily match any kitchen theme or scheme. That also makes it easier to adapt should a homeowner decide on a remodel several years down the road.

There is also some maintenance involved when owning a granite countertop. Regular care is required. You may also need the use of sealers to prevent staining. Even if granite is hard, it can still be easily chipped. When this happens, there are professionals who can perform repairs that won't even be noticed.

While the general pricing of granite has gone down, there are still high-end material that can be bought at a premium. Retailers usually group their materials, also known as "tiers". There are typically have three or four groupings of granite to choose from. The first tier are usually the premium products. A stone is tiered based on several factors such as country of origin, color, patterns, thickness of the
slab, amount of soft minerals in the stone, and fashion trends. The choice really boils down to you, depending perhaps on your budget or the color scheme that you have in mind.

Installing a granite countertop is not instant though. The slab of rock has to be cut with precision tools and a homeowner without experience may only end up damaging the material. Needless to say, leave the installation to a professional.

Regardless of the price and/or installation costs, it is a fact that granite countertops have pretty much gone mainstream and actually here to stay. It is a favorite among architects and interior designers so they will be seen more and more in new homes or newly remodeled kitchens. The beauty and durability of granite makes it an element of kitchen improvement that is sure to last a long time.