Are Granite Countertops Porous

While granite is porous there is a way to protect your countertops from liquid damages or stains.

Are granite countertops porous.

Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Even when the granite is sealed messes should be wiped up with a cloth as quickly as possible. Even worse germs bacteria and mold can invade unsealed granite counter tops with stains running not far behind. Like all natural stone granite is susceptible to liquid sinking into its surface.

Installing black granite countertops or dark brown granite countertops can help disguise lasting marks and. Also granite is immune from the damages of most common household acids. Because it s porous granite needs to be sealed and resealed every year to help resist stains and bacteria. Polishing the stone creates a flat smooth surface that reduces the porosity.

Granite is a porous material. To protect your countertop you will need to seal it and re seal when appropriate. Polished granite is the most durable most granite countertops are polished then sealed making them nearly impermeable. Another way to increase the cleanliness of granite countertops is by choosing a polished finish.

However there are some potential weaknesse cons countertop granite kitchen low maintenance options porous prices pros sealing staining. Unlike a honed finish a polished finish seals most of the pores on the surface of the stone. One of the hardest and strongest materials in nature granite originated from the earth s core as liquid magma. If liquids are left on the surface for long periods of time they will eventually absorb.

This makes it even harder for the stone to harbor bacteria. Being porous is not necessarily a bad quality. How porous your granite countertop is will depend on how it is finished and how it is treated. Alas its porous surface is granite s kryptonite.

Sealer is specifically designed to go down into the surface and close off or seal the pores. Polished granite is less porous than other finishes and repels moisture more easily. In fact granite is consistently rated the top performing kitchen countertop material by leading consumer magazines when compared with quartz countertops an excellent countertop material butcher block ceramic tile stainless steel and other manufactured surfaces.