Sometimes it is challenging to know why a particular material or option becomes popular in home designs. It is not uncommon to see these materials or design elements pop up in show homes and custom designed homes for a few years, and then fade away, leaving Minneapolis homes with those features looking dated and old.
There are also some materials and design elements that are classic, iconic, trendy, and yet always in style and never out of date. A great example of a material like this is granite. Granite is a natural stone that is used for countertops in kitchens and bathrooms and can also be used for backsplashes, showers, and tubs as well as flooring options.
Durability of Granite
One of the reasons that granite countertops are so popular is their durability. Granite is a harder stone than marble, which means it can stand up to kitchen and bathroom wear and tear. Many people are surprised to find out the only natural stone harder than granite is a diamond.
Heat Resistant
Granite is also very resistant to heat. However, as with marble, it is important to use a sealant on granite to keep it looking shiny and new on the surface. Excessive heat can damage the sealant, which then allows materials to get into the slight pores on the surface, resulting in a risk of discoloration of the granite countertops.
It is highly recommended to simply use a trivet or a cutting board under any hot pots or pans to prevent any risk of this happening in your Minneapolis kitchen.
Bacteria and Stain Resistant
Once the granite countertops are professionally installed, they are coated with a sealant. This sealant not only keeps the counters looking shiny and smooth, but it resists bacteria and staining by evening out any slight surface irregularities. This makes cleanup a breeze, and most messes and spills clean up with just a wipe with a damp cloth.