While you should always treat your surfaces with care, granite is a less easy to damage in a kitchen environment. It is natural stone, and thus heat resistant. You can place dishes directly from the oven onto the counter without worrying about marring the surface or causing cracks. Anything short of direct heat from a flame or blowtorch will not affect your granite countertop.

Most granite will resist scratches, staining and cracks. A heavy object dropped onto your counter may chip the granite, but everyday use will not leave the marks they would on a solid surface countertop.

Use a soft cloth to clean up spills immediately. If you are concerned about bacteria on the surface of your granite countertop, wash the surface with an antibacteria soap. If you happen to spill an oil based liquid on your granite countertop, wipe it up immediately. If it is left, the oil may soak into your granite and cause a stain. Even then, the stain can often be lifted out of the granite by using a paste designed for the task.

The granite countertop you install today will be just as shiny years from now, with little maintenance required. Every 6 - 12 months apply a non-yellowing paste wax to preserve the brightness and luster. This takes only 15 minutes - so much less time than continually scrubbing a solid surface countertop to remove scratches acquired over the years.

You'll find that granite is competitively priced, and the only thing you'll need to get a quote is a sketch of your layout and basic dimensions. Decide on the type of edging you would like around the edge. Quarter-inch beveled and round edge designs are standard, while more complex edge designs, like an ogee or bull nose, will be more expensive.

Overall, you will find that granite countertops are more affordable than other high-end surfacing materials. When you compare them, we think you'll agree that granite is a great value for the natural beauty and resilience it delivers.