Q: A friend told us that using granite countertops in our bath remodel would make the room look “dated.” Is it true that granite is on its way out?

A: While the use of engineered surfacing, such as quartz, are on the rise, make no mistake…granite is still an exceptionally popular choice for both kitchens and baths.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) latest reports show that granite is still the most popular choice for countertops, even if it’s not by much. The stone offers richness, depth, and beauty that are hard to replicate. Since granite is formed in nature, no two pieces look alike. Many homeowners prefer having something that’s completely unique to them. Besides being beautiful, granite can usually be installed with few seams, plus it’s reasonably durable and pretty affordable, comparatively speaking. (Though there are, of course, higher-end options.) And granite is still the most popular choice in many of today’s custom homes for everything from countertops and windowsills to shower walls and fireplace surrounds. The main down side of granite is that it’s porous and does need to be sealed once a year which is a very simple process. So, if you don’t mind a little maintenance, granite is a gorgeous choice.

Kitchen with granite waterfall countertop by Newton Kitchens & Design; photo via Houzz

That being said, there are some styles of granite that may feel a bit over-used, especially when it comes to builder grade pre-cut tops. And the popularity of different types of granite tends to ebb and flow with supply, demand, and color trends. The NKBA has also noted that 70-percent of those surveyed predicted that sales of quartz countertops would rise in 2014. At the end of 2013, granite and quartz were almost tied for the top spot in countertop materials, at 91 and 90 percent, respectively.

Homeowners are gravitating toward quartz materials, like ColorQuartz, because they’re exceptionally durable and very easy to live with and care for. Quartz surfacing is crack, scratch, stain, heat, and chip proof. It’s virtually maintenance-free and requires no sealing at all. It even stands up to harsh chemicals.

The bottom line? Quartz is reaching into the granite market, but granite is far from passé. It’s the same with marble. Some homeowners shy away from marble because of maintenance horror stories shared by their friends, but the truth of the matter is that all of these surfaces offer many benefits as well as beautiful and distinctive design options. Want to see for yourself? Check out our online inventory, or visit one of our two showrooms. Feel free to call us at 877-39-STONE with any questions.