• Granite countertops are an attractive and luxurious choice for kitchens.fine red granite texture image by Alexander Potapov from Fotolia.com
  
  Remodeling your kitchen requires countless decisions on the materials and items you will use to design your room. You will have to decide on the new kitchen cabinets, the appliances you will purchase and the countertop materials you will use when remodeling your kitchen. Granite is a high-end material for your kitchen countertops that has advantages and disadvantages that you must consider before making a final decision.
  
  

Pros

• Granite is a beautiful material that provides a luxurious feel for your kitchen. Granite is never uniform in appearance and each piece is different from the next piece. A granite countertop will last for many years and does not break or chip easily. The material is heat resistant, which means that you can set down hot pans and pots on the countertop without fear of damaging the surface. Granite comes in a variety of colors to match any kitchen décor. The counters clean up with a damp cloth and non-abrasive and non-acidic cleansers such as mild dish soap. Stone cleaners are available for further cleaning.
  
  

Cons

• Expense is the biggest disadvantage of granite counters. The material is usually custom-made to fit a countertop in one large piece. Installation, the material and maintenance are all expensive. While the material is strong and does not chip easily, if a hard sharp object strikes the granite it can chip and be difficult to repair. You must reseal the surface at least once a year to maintain the sanitary non-porous surface of a granite kitchen counter. Unsealed granite can absorb stains easily, which are difficult to remove. Acidic materials such as vinegar can damage the surface of a granite kitchen counter.
  
  

Additional Considerations

• Granite is a heavy material that is not easy to install on your own. Your existing counters may require additional support to accommodate the heavy material. Once granite is installed in your kitchen, it is heavy and difficult to remove.
  
  While each slab of granite is different from the next slab, you will be limited in the colors that are available for your kitchen. Granite has become a popular choice for homeowners, turning the luxurious stone into a very commonplace design choice. Even though no two pieces are identical, with the limited selection of colors for granite, it is likely that your kitchen will look very much like a million others. Other luxury materials such as marble offer a greater selection for color and design.