What is a Cheaper Alternative to Granite Countertops?

Despite graphite countertops being the go-to option for a significant number of people, it is hard to refute the fact that most people are not completely appealed by them.

One of the main reasons why people would like to try out other alternatives in the market is the relatively high price that is associated with the purchase and installation of the granite countertops.

In this review, we shall be looking at some of the cheaper alternatives to graphite countertops, as well as establishing whether it is a better move to actually stick to the graphite countertops. Without further ado, let us dive right into it.

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What is a Cheaper Alternative to Granite Countertops?

If you are simply looking for a better alternative to graphite in terms of price, then you should consider ceramic tiles. The best thing about having ceramic tiles is that they are easy to install and to maintain.

You will also find that the market is packed with a very wide variety of ceramic tiles, and all you have to do is to find the durable ones and you are good to go.

Ceramic tiles can cost as low as $1-$30 per square foot, while granite countertops will cost you anything between $60-$250 per square foot (or even more).

If you are looking for even more alternatives to granite countertops, you should definitely consider having a look at the list provided here.

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Pros and Cons of Having Granite Countertops

Having granite countertops installed in your home will definitely come with some unique pros and cons. Going through the list of the pros and cons is always a good place to start whenever you are considering whether the item in question is actually the best option, based on the overall value it offers.

Below are some of the upsides and downsides of installing granite countertops that you should definitely know even before parting with a single coin.

Pros

• Granite is durable and can last for several decades.
• It is heat resistant, thus it is a good choice for those who do a lot of cooking, and on a larger scale.
• It is stain resistant, which makes it maintain its good look for a very long time.
• Granite is scratch-resistant
• They are visually appealing.

Cons

• Granite is porous and can start absorbing wines and other fluids if left unsealed for more than a year. Poorly sealed granite countertops can be a habitat for bacteria.
• They are costly.
• They are cold to lean on.

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Do Granite Countertops Increase Home Value?

Yes. Granite countertops definitely increase the value of your home. Most home buyers and home sellers are well aware of the fact that renovations can add value to homes. Any upgrade that you make in order to make your home more appealing should eventually contribute to the overall price of your house.

If you decide to replace your current countertop with granite, you should see to it that you recoup all the installation costs, and then you can add a couple of hundred bucks or any figure that your realtor might advise or recommend.

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How Often Should You Seal Granite Countertops?

As earlier on stated, granite is a porous material that requires to be sealed in order to prevent it from absorbing wine spills and housing bacteria. Most professionals in the market recommend that the granite countertops should, quarterly to annually.

Depending on how frequently you use the granite countertop, you can seal it after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, or even a year. You can always contact a countertop company to seek their opinion on how often you should seal your granite countertop.

Fortunately, sealers will only cost you around $15, thus costs will barely be an issue if you are seeking to maintain the impressive look on your granite countertop.

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Can You Ruin Granite Countertops?

Granite countertops are stain, heat and scratch resistant but can still end up getting damaged. These countertops are moderate to high maintenance, thus call for care when handling. Some of the common ways in which you can ruin your granite countertops include:

• Etching – This is a chemical reaction that arises from the exposure of granite to acid that is contained in substances such as soda, wine, and ammonia. This results in the dulling of the countertop. If you have not sealed your countertop, then it will definitely end up etching. You can prevent this from happening by wiping all the spills right away.
• Hazing – This is a cloudy appearance that results from the improper cleaning of a surface. If you do not clean your granite countertop properly, then it can end up hazing, losing its lustrous appearance.
• Heat damage – Granite can resist heat from the hot pans and pots, but it will definitely give in to extreme heat. To give your granite countertop a longer life, you should definitely avoid placing the hot objects directly on it, and instead, consider using hot pads to prevent heat damage.
• Scratches– Again, granite countertops are scratch-resistant, but cannot withstand harder metals such as diamond and topaz. As much as this might not be a major concern, you might end up having to pay a lot to replace the countertop if a child decides to use a hard precious metal on it.

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Are Granite Countertops Worth the Cost?

It depends. The reason behind giving this answer is because there are a number of factors that you should consider before concluding that your granite countertops are definitely worth the cost. Some of these factors include:

• Do all the homes in your area have granite countertops?
• Do homebuyers in your locality prefer purchasing move-in ready homes?
• Does the color of the granite countertops blend well with the overall look of your living space?

If the answer is yes to all the above questions, then the granite countertops are worth the cost.

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What are the Cheaper Alternatives to Granite Countertops?

As promised, here is a list of other cheaper alternatives to granite countertops that you can purchase and give your home the good look it deserves:

Cheaper Alternative to Granite Countertops Comparison Chart

PRODUCT	IMAGE	ITEM WEIGHT	PRODUCT DIMENSIONS	SIZE	COLOR	MATERIAL
John Boos Blended Walnut Counter Top	Buy Now!	11 pounds	16 x 2.6 x 25.3 inches	12"L x 25"W	Natural Oil	Solid Walnut
Instant Granite Counter Top Film	Buy Now!	4.4 pounds	36.3 x 2.3 x 2.1 inches	36" x 216"	Gold	Vinyl
Engineered PVC Marble Granite Pattern Tiles	Buy Now!	1.32 pounds	16 x 16 x 0.3 inches			PVC
Marble Granite Flooring Countertop Tiles	Buy Now!	6 pounds	12 x 1 x 12 inches	12WX12L	Black	Granite

Credit: Featured Photo by fran hogan on Unsplash