Granite Countertop In Dallas: Your Modern Alternatives
05/31/2019
8 min read
8 min read
Looking for a granite countertop in Dallas? The natural stone was once quite popular all over the world. Over the past few years, however, it has seen a steep decline in popularity.
In this post, we’re going to explore why that is. We’ll also tell you about what’s overtaken granite as the most popular countertop in Dallas.
What Are Granite Countertops?
Granite is an igneous rock found throughout many parts of the world, including the United States. Countertop manufacturers extract it in slabs that are later refined into the familiar countertop shape.
The exact composition of granite can vary wildly based on several factors, including its place of origin and intended use. Most granite contains quartz, feldspar, mica, and amphiboles. Samples sold as “black granite” are often actually something called gabbro, which contains very little quartz.
We won’t bore you with a geology lesson here but this variance is important to point out. As granite countertops became more popular throughout the 1980s and 2000s, its consistency has plummeted. This is one of the reasons people no longer consider granite to be a luxury countertop material.
Granite Countertops In Dallas: Pros And Cons
Now that you have a good overview of granite countertops, let’s explore some of the material’s positives and negatives.
Pros
Aesthetics
As you’ll see in the ‘cons’ section, granite’s aesthetic appeal has its limitations. Nonetheless, there’s no denying the material’s charm. No two slabs of granite are alike, with each containing its own unique veining. Some homeowners enjoy knowing they have a one-of-a-kind countertop.
Heat-Resistance
Part of what made granite countertops in Dallas so popular was their ability to hold up quite well under heat. For years, this property made granite one of the few countertop materials capable of withstanding the intense heat and UV radiation only those in Texas can understand.
With the rise of outdoor-friendly quartz, however, granite has lost this monopoly.
Cons
While there aren’t very many positives to speak of with granite countertops, the negatives are staggering.
High Maintenance
Granite is a very porous material. Homeowners with granite countertops need to reseal them as often as twice annually to avoid stains, which is impractical and a financial inconvenience.
This need for constant resealing also means that you won’t unlock the full heat-resistant potential of granite. After all, the surface is only as heat resistant as the sealant used on it, which is to say it’s really not durable at all.
Outdated
Even if you like how granite looks, there are reasons to be concerned about having an outdated countertop material. For one, it affects your resale value. If your local real estate market demands quartz countertops but you’ve got granite, that will have an impact on your ability to sell for a favorable price.
Further, certain kitchen styles (namely contemporary and modern) can be difficult to execute if you have outdated materials.
Limited Options
While granite is generally considered an attractive countertop material, you don’t have very many options. Colors are largely limited to grays and browns. This lack of variance is one of the reasons granite looks so dated. Unlike with quartz or even laminate, there’s little manufacturers can do to update granite’s look over time.
Poor Value
Despite these negatives, and the stone’s decline in popularity, granite countertops in Dallas are still exorbitantly expensive. All these factors considered, granite works out to a very poor value proposition for most homeowners.
Alternatives to Granite Countertops In Dallas
Before we tell you why quartz countertops in Dallas have overtaken granite in popularity, let’s look at a couple of other options.
Wood Countertops In Dallas
Wood countertops in Dallas are a common consideration among people looking to design a rustic kitchen. What many people don’t realize is that wood countertops (also known as butcher’s block) are very impractical.
Wood is extremely porous. Without extreme cleaning and sealing, it harbors bacteria, stains, and even some insects.
Wood is also very soft. Knives, pots, pans, and many other common kitchen items will damage it with ease.
Concrete Countertops In Dallas
Concrete countertops in Dallas are another very impractical option. Concrete is very heavy and expensive to install. It requires a professional concrete pourer to create the countertop on-site. Further, concrete can take a full month to properly cure, which represents a major inconvenience.
Concrete countertops also age quite poorly. They tend to crack and attract stains very easily, ending up looking unrefined.
Laminate Countertops In Dallas
Laminate countertops in Dallas are popular among people for whom cost is the deciding factor. The material is very cheap, owing to its construction; plastic laminate sheets glued to particleboard. Laminate countertops chip and crack very easily. They also lack heat resistance.
Another major downside to laminate countertops is that they are quite unappealing aesthetically. Laminate countertops often try to mimic more expensive materials like granite but fall short. Designs are simply printed on the topmost layer of laminate, which looks cheap and unsophisticated. Unless you’re severely restricted in terms of budget, you’d be wise to consider a longer-lasting and more premium material like quartz.
Quartz Countertops In Dallas: The Ideal Modern Alternative To Granite Countertops
Quartz countertops have become highly sought-after by designers and homeowners – and for good reason. While you can read about its benefits in greater detail here, we’ll summarize below.
Low Maintenance
Quartz countertops never need resealing. Maintenance is as simple as avoiding spills and wiping the countertop down regularly. This makes quartz countertops very convenient and practical to own.
More Options
While granite limits you to a few shades and patterns, quartz is highly versatile. Our designers are constantly coming up with new styles, colors, and patterns to offer countertops suited towards a wide range of kitchens.
Designing a classic space? We’ve got a countertop for you. Something more contemporary? We’ve got something for you as well.
Durability
One of quartz’s most compelling benefits is its nonporous nature. This property allows quartz to avoid staining, unlike most types of natural stone.
Quartz also offers solid resistance to heat, cracks, and scratches.
Increased Home Value
Because quartz is so popular, its potential for increasing home value is quite high. Some sources quote the ROI as high as 80% with quartz countertops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a granite countertop cost in Dallas?
Granite countertops cost between $40 and $60 per square foot, for materials alone. Resealing them (which, remember, you need to do twice annually) can cost as much as $1.42 per square foot.
Quartz countertops have a similar price tag when it comes to materials but they never need to be resealed, offering better value in the long run.
Which is better – granite or quartz?
Most experts and homeowners consider quartz to be the better option. Quartz looks better and holds up better under day-to-day conditions. As mentioned earlier, it also represents more value for your money than granite.
How often do you need to seal granite countertops?
Granite countertops need to be resealed as often as twice annually.
Can you put a hot pan on a granite countertop?
While granite itself is very heat resistant, its sealants may not perform well under extreme heat. You’d be wise not to place a hot pan directly on your granite countertop. However, to be fair, this is true of most countertops, including quartz.
5 Things To Do In Dallas
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The Sixth Floor Museum overlooks Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in the 1960s. The museum (located in the very same spot Lee Harvey Oswald fired the fatal shots at JFK) contains a number of exhibits about the assassination, making it a worthwhile visit for anyone interested in presidential history.
Dallas Museum of Art
The Dallas Museum of Art houses an eclectic mix of ever-changing exhibitions. The museum opened in 1903 and is one of America’s largest art museums.
The Dallas Zoo
If you’re not much of a museum fan, you might enjoy the Dallas Zoo. The attraction sits on 106 acres and is home to more than 2,000 animals. The Dallas Zoo was founded in 1888, making it the oldest zoo in Texas.
Reunion Tower
Reunion Tower is an observation deck offering a 360-degree view of Dallas. There are also two popular restaurants offering group specials.
Klyde Warren Park
If you’re looking for an escape within downtown Dallas, head to Klyde Warren Park. This oasis (opened in 2012) sits on 5.2 acres of land. The park regularly hosts public activities like outdoor chess, croquet, and fitness classes.
Map Of Dallas
Looking For More Things To Do In Dallas?
Check out this video for more local favorites.
