For long-lasting countertops, go for granite

Are you thinking of bringing a beautiful and luxurious feel to your kitchen and wondering what to do with the countertops?

Well, worry no more because granite finishes are just ideal for that.

In fact, there is an old adage in interior design that goes, “A countertop is to a kitchen what a statement necklace is to an outfit — make yours speak to your home’s personality”.

And the only way to make it even louder, according to Ruth Makokha, a sales agent with Natural Stone Manufacturers Ltd, is to give your kitchen countertops a touch of class with granite.

“Unlike marble, which gets corroded, granite is a real stone that is excavated directly from the ground then polished to give it that shiny look and you are good to go,” Ms Makokha told DN2 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre during the 23rd Kenya Homes Expo event last month

However, the use of granite has been restricted mostly to the kitchen due to its hardiness and the fact that it does not stain.

“It’s beautiful, easy to clean and durable,” says Ms Makokha, adding that it is a good material to consider for the staircase as well.

She says that previously, granite was used  mostly by high-end companies on  their staircases, a practice that is responsible for the slow acceptance of the product on the property market.

UNIQUE FIXTURE

 “However, when people realised the secret behind granite, which is its qualities, they started remodelling their kitchens to give them a new look,” says Ms Makokha, adding that it can be used on bathroom walls as it does not absorb water and is easy to clean.  

For a bathroom with, say mosaic wall tiles, a tile accent would make a great combination with a new granite countertop or sink, suggests Ms Makokha.

Surprisingly, granite is affordable.

“It is common and comes in a wide variety of colours. Some of the most common colours are fine black, Mount Grey, Hassan Green, galaxy black and Kashmir.  A granite slab measuring two to three running metres  goes for around Sh7,000 to Sh12,000. Interestingly, the quality is the same, but it is the colour that brings about the variation in price, which is usually dictated by demand,” says Ms Makokha, adding that people prefer dark colours to bright ones, which  makes them more expensive.

Mr Benson Hinga, a freelance interior designer, says granite is a good choice for countertops because it can withstand all sorts of abuse, be it from children, heat, or moisture.

This makes for durable countertops since  granite it is very difficult to cut or scratch.And in the event that it gets damaged, it is also easy to repair.

But here is the catch: no two pieces of granite are ever exactly the same, meaning you have a unique custom-made countertop.

“But who wouldn’t want something unique in their house?” asks Ms Makokha, rhetorically.

Keeping the surfaces presentable calls for careful maintenance and cleaning.

But Just how do you go about resealing granite as part of  maintenance?

Miss Makokha says it’s an easy, do-it-yourself process,

“First you clean countertop thoroughly. This typically involves scraping, resulting in a fair amount of residue being removed— something that will amaze you since the countertop appeared clean. After that, use alcohol to rid the countertop of any residue that did not get scraped off. Finally, you need to apply a specially formulated sealer to the countertop and  then buff it. This makes the granite look as good as new. This process should be repeated after every two years.”

“Use warm soapy water with a clean dish towel.  Wipe the countertop clean, making sure to remove all soap suds – rinse the towel before wiping again.  Next, use a microfibre  towel to dry the surface.  If you wish to have your granite countertops shining all the time, use a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water to clean them,” suggests Mr Hinga .

The one disadvantage of granite is that it is porous, which means that it can harbour bacteria, dirt, and debris. To prevent this from happening, seal your countertops at least once a year.