Is Granite Countertops Porous

If you haven t chosen your granite countertop yet or you know the store your installed granite came from you can probably get a sample piece in order to stain test.

Is granite countertops porous.

Because the minerals in granite are so variable you can t tell how strong or porous granite is from the color. Being porous is not necessarily a bad quality. The quality of protection depends on the quality of the marble granite countertop sealer and the quality of the application plus. How porous your granite countertop is will depend on how it is finished and how it is treated.

While granite is porous there is a way to protect your countertops from liquid damages or stains. To protect your countertop you will need to seal it and re seal when appropriate. All natural stone possesses some degree of porosity. Granite countertops deliver gorgeous aesthetics in kitchens and bathrooms and have other good qualities.

Granite countertops are a popular countertop material that is appealing and affordable fit for kitchen countertops. Also granite is immune from the damages of most common household acids. If liquids are left on the surface for long periods of time they will eventually absorb. Like all natural stone granite is susceptible to liquid sinking into its surface.

This term refers to the amount of void spaces in the stone that allow liquid and air to pass through. In your eagerness to choose a countertop for your kitchen or bath you have narrowed it down to two materials. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. When looking for natural stone countertops you may hear the term porosity.

Even worse germs bacteria and mold can invade unsealed granite counter tops with stains running not far behind. Logic tells us that the more porous the stone the faster and deeper it will absorb any spilled substance. If you can t get a sample don t despair. Sealer is specifically designed to go down into the surface and close off or seal the pores.

In terms of natural stone countertop options materials like granite are on the less porous side whereas a material like limestone is very porous. Granite is a porous material. Polished granite is the most durable most granite countertops are polished then sealed making them nearly impermeable. Alas its porous surface is granite s kryptonite.

Quartz engineered stone vs. Polishing the stone creates a flat smooth surface that reduces the porosity. Are you trying to get an elegant stylish focal piece that won t get much cooking action. After all quartz and granite are each loudly touted by their respective manufacturers as being purely natural straight.

Granite countertops are porous if left unsealed. Quartz countertops are one of the world s hardest surfaces extremely durable and non porous with a look that lasts a lifetime.