Since granite kitchen countertops represent a major investment, homeowners naturally want to know the facts about care of granite countertops. Granite is a harder stone than marble, and the care for it is generally more simple than it is for marble.

Most people considering a granite tile countertop realize it’s a natural stone product. What they may not know is that granite originates from hot liquid magma. Granite, one of Nature's igneous rocks, comes close to the extreme hardness and strength of diamonds. And the density of granite causes it to be highly resistant to bacteria, making it an ideal material for kitchen countertops.

Daily care and maintenance will preserve your granite countertop's beautiful appearance for decades. Granite is a naturally occurring material, and it is often recommended each slab be sealed to make it stain and moisture resistant. However, there are others who say this is not the case, and they point out that there are over 300 different types of granite available, all with varying chemical and mechanical properties. Many types of granite are completely non-porous, and incapable of absorbing any sealant.