Why There's Honestly No Need For Granite Kitchen Countertops Anymore

It's a tale as old as time: What's popular today probably won't be popular in a few decades. When it comes to remodeling a home, especially the kitchen, it can be hard to predict which choices your future self won't regret, like which backsplash matches the new cabinets or which countertop material will give you the most bang for your buck. One thing is certain, though, and that's the fact that while granite countertops aren't necessarily going out of style aesthetically, home designers are realizing there are cheaper, prettier, and more durable options on the market.

Granite countertops have been a popular kitchen choice for decades, but some of the biggest complaints associated with the material include its limited color range and its extreme porosity. Sure, granite can come in various shades of gray, white, or beige, but some colors and patterns are rarer than others, meaning that when you need to make an immediate choice for your kitchen renovation, there might be a smaller selection to pick from. Not to mention that granite is very heavy, which makes DIY installation all but impossible. Plus, the material is nearly irreparable if chipped or cracked (among the other disadvantages of granite countertops). While some applaud granite's longevity, many realize there are other countertop options that bring the same advantages without all the roadblocks.

Granite countertops may be on their way out, but that doesn't mean stone-based countertops have fallen off the map. Instead, homeowners have begun turning to marble and quartz as popular alternatives, thanks to their durability and wide selection of color options. Where granite is porous and can pose the risk of harboring bacteria if it's not sealed properly, non-porous quartz is less likely to stain and requires less upkeep, along with these other pros (and cons) of quartz countertops. Marble has also become a popular choice for homeowners who have a little extra money to invest, but still want the look and feel of natural stone.

On the other end of the spectrum, wood has risen as a strong contender among kitchen countertop materials. In fact, it is just one of the many unique countertop pairings for backsplashes that we can't stop looking at. Wood countertops provide a warmer, more rustic aesthetic in the kitchen, and lack the heaviness and limited availability of certain granite slabs. Tile countertops are yet another option that offer a wide range of color and style options, and they typically run at a lower cost per square foot than granite. No matter which option you choose, experts agree that there's honestly no need for granite countertops anymore — not when there are myriad of other options.