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Granite countertops are favored for a good reason; they’re durable, elegant, and easy to maintain. At Pro Stone Countertops, we often get asked: “Do granite countertops increase your home value?”
Granite countertops are favored for a good reason; they’re durable, elegant, and easy to maintain. Used throughout time but popularized commercially in the 1980s, this natural stone has almost become synonymous with kitchen countertops. At Pro Stone Countertops, we often get asked: “Do granite countertops increase your home value?”
Yes, they do. If you want to install a countertop that increases the value and isn’t as high maintenance as marble, then we’d suggest granite countertops. Home values tend to increase when they have kitchens that are in good condition, as they, along with living areas, are the heart of the home.
Should You Replace Countertops Before Selling?
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Sometimes home renovations are unavoidable, but when strategically done, they can improve a property’s value. Granite’s timeless appeal, durability, and environmentally friendly nature are convincing reasons for countertop replacing. Granite countertops range across the color spectrum and can suit all types of interior design preferences. Kitchens are focal areas in the home, so if you can afford to replace them, you most certainly should.
Reasons Granite Countertops Increase Home Value
So, how much will granite countertops increase home value? They can increase total home value by 25% . Let’s take a look at why.
Timeless Appeal
Granite’s architectural and design appeal has lasted centuries. Originally a mainstay for the royal and wealthy, granite has only since the 1800s been used commercially as kitchen countertops in people’s homes. As a luxurious, high-end stone available in a variety of finishes, surfaces, and colors, its versatility has allowed it to remain popular in the midst of changing design trends. Now more affordable, many homeowners choose it for its durability, strength, and natural beauty.
Low Maintenance
Granite is naturally a hard stone that’s heat and scratch-resistant and is less porous than marble. The trick to maintaining its longevity is regular cleaning, proper sealing, and polishing. Granite countertops can be easily wiped down with warm water and gentle soap. If care is taken to work with chopping boards, silicon mats, trivets, and placemats, and the countertop is sealed when needed, granite can last a lifetime.
Strong and Durable
Granite countertops increase home value because they are robust and durable. Their lifespan outweighs laminate and butcher block countertops that need to be replaced more regularly. It is a fairly thick stone, and if weight is evenly distributed over a large area and strong cabinets support it, a granite countertop can hold up to 1000 pounds. Experts reckon that countertops that are well-looked after can last well over 100 years.
Environmentally Friendly
Discerning homeowners will be pleased to know that even though granite is a non-renewable resource, it makes up 80% of the earth’s surface and is unlikely to run out any time soon. Granite is quarried from the ground, and it is this process that has the most environmental impact, as heavy machinery is needed to extract it from the earth. It’s untrue to claim it has no environmental impact, but when compared to a natural resource like wood, it is far less damaging. Its maintenance also has minimal impact on the environment.
Offers a High Return of Investment
How much value do granite countertops add to the home? Homeowners with granite countertops can expect to recoup approximately 80% of their upfront costs on their new countertops. As a countertop, granite is far more desirable than laminate or tile, which tends to cheapen a space. If a potential buyer likes two homes equally, they might opt for the one with granite as it offers lower maintenance, which is one of the reasons why Granite countertops add value to homes.
How Can You Maximize Granite Countertop ROI?
There are strategic ways to ensure you get the most of your granite countertop investment. Below are some general guidelines.
Choose Natural Colors
Natural colors tend to offer the highest resale value as they’re versatile and appeal to a wide range of decorative tastes. For instance, it’s far easier and cheaper to paint a kitchen wall than replace bright blue countertops. Lighter cupboards tend to work well with darker gray countertops, whereas darker cupboards complement lighters countertops. However, there is no set rule. All-white kitchens or darker kitchens may fair just as well so long as they provide a neutral palette that can serve a wide variety of aesthetic preferences.
Avoid Stains
Kitchens are undoubtedly heavy-duty spaces with high traffic. The first step in avoiding stains is to ensure that the countertop is sealed correctly and regular sealing maintenance is adhered to. When working on the counter, try to use chopping boards, trivets, placemats, and coasters to avoid the possibility of staining. It’s also a good idea to rotate the area of the counter on which you work so that the counter is evenly used. Remember to always clean away spills immediately.
Opt for Polished Surface
Polished granite is reflective and adds glamorous appeal to kitchens. Its high-gloss surface reflects light beautifully and makes kitchens look cleaner, bigger, and newer. It is less porous and more stain-resistant, which means that it doesn’t need as much sealant. Rest assured, it’s a classic choice for kitchen countertops and is easy to maintain, making it a functional work surface for meal preparation.
Buy 3-cm Thick Slabs
Granite is available in 2 cm, 3 cm, and 5 cm thickness. The most popular size for countertops is 3 cm (1 ¼) and sometimes 2 cm (3/4) as it provides the strength needed for daily use without burdening kitchen cabinets with too much weight. Thick granite slabs are rare and more expensive, whereas 3 cm slabs tend to be the industry standard and are more readily available.
Conclusion
Do granite countertops add value to a home? Yes, they certainly do if the property is well-maintained and the quality of the countertops matches the general condition of the house. If chosen well, sellers can recoup the money spent on the countertops and still make a profit so long as the granite color is versatile.
Located in the Memphis area, Pro Stone Countertops has a wide selection of granite stone and cabinet options to choose from. Our team has designed, fabricated, and fitted kitchen countertops for over 20 years and helped many homeowners increase the value of their property. If you’d like to find out which granite countertops look best in your kitchen, then call us at (901) 622-895- 4795 or click here for a quote.