5 Granite Facts That Aren’t True

The flooring and countertops market has been going through a state of flux in recent years. Designer kitchens are still very desirable in American homes. Granite countertops have dropped a few notches in popularity because quartz is currently trending, but in some cases homeowners are making a misinformed choice with false granite facts.

It’s important to note that a good amount of both natural and engineered stone in the United States is imported, and this market sector has been impacted by the global trade war that has been taking place since 2018. The issue of import tariffs transcends household economies. It’s also political, and this may explain some of the misinformation that has been spread about granite. If you come across any of the yarns below, feel free to dismiss them.

1. Granite Will Eventually Become Dull

Keeping granite countertops shiny is a simple matter of cleaning with a granite countertop cleaner, sealing, and polishing. These are all things homeowners can do on their own with products that are specially formulated to use on natural stone, not common household cleaners and other products typically found in the supermarket.

2. Granite Is Indestructible

The hardest decorative stone you can install in your home is onyx, followed by quartzite and granite. However, the fact that all three can be quarried and finished means they’re far from being indestructible. Granite is durable, but it can still stain if it isn’t cared for properly, which means it need to be sealed regularly with a granite sealer.

3. Granite Is Softer Than Quartz

Some quartz tiles and slabs are made with more than 90 percent crushed granite fragments, and the result is a solid surface material that’s about as hard as granite.

4. Granite Is Difficult to Maintain

Granite is a breeze to maintain, which is why many homeowners consider it a smart option for their kitchens, bathrooms, and floors. With today's cleaning, sealing, and polishing solutions formulated for natural-stone care, maintaining granite is as easy as caring for ceramic or laminate materials. Granite is also a good choice for high-traffic floors.

5. Granite’s Cost Is on the Rise

While it’s true that import tariffs have been placed on quartz imported from China, they haven’t been applied to granite and other natural-stone materials. Most of the quartz made by Chinese fabricators can be found on pre-made kitchen and bathroom counters purchased in bulk by home builders. Some granite distributors have reduced their prices in recent years because they sense an opportunity to attract buyers who aren’t interested in more expensive natural stones and quartz.

Learn the Truth About Granite with Granite Gold®

If you’re interested in learning more about caring for granite and other types of natural stone such as marble, quartzite, and slate, reach out to the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold®.

Call 1-800-475-STONE (7866) today to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives, and like our Facebook page for more tips and information on stone and quartz care.