Cook on stone that lasts.
Granite kitchen countertops
Granite kitchen countertops are hard, handle heat and keep their shine, which is why cooks love them. Here is how to choose the kitchen granite slab, the finish and the edge that suit your home.
At a glance
- Usual thickness
- 20 mm or 30 mm
- Common finishes
- Polished, honed, leathered
- Sealing
- A sealer is wise. Test it now and then.
- Take care with
- Long overhangs and sharp inside corners
Why granite is a smart kitchen countertop
Granite is a hard natural stone. It stands up to scratches and handles the heat of a busy kitchen, so it stays handsome through years of cooking. Every slab is different, so your worktop is one of a kind.
A black granite countertop looks bold and clean. A speckled or lighter stone feels warm and hides crumbs. Whatever the colour, a good granite slab gives you a surface that works as hard as you do.
- Strong: it stands up to the knocks and scratches of daily cooking.
- Heat-friendly: warm pans are fine. A pan straight from the stove should still go on a trivet (a stand).
- Clean: a sealed, polished top wipes clean in seconds.
- Choice: from near-black with gold specks to soft cream, there is a stone for almost every kitchen.
Tip. Look at the whole slab, not only a small sample. The colour and the pattern change across a slab.
Finishes, colours and thickness
Polished granite has the deepest colour and is the easiest to wipe. Dark polished stone, like black granite, shows fingerprints and water spots. Honed (matte) and leathered (soft, a little rough) finishes hide marks better. They soak up a little more, so sealing matters more.
- Thickness: 20 mm and 30 mm are common. A 30 mm slab can cover a longer gap. A 20 mm slab needs full support under it, like a solid base or plywood.
- Colour: dark stone looks strong next to light cabinets. Light, speckled stone hides crumbs and marks better.
- Same block: for a long worktop, ask for slabs from the same block so the colour matches.
Edges, cut-outs and details
After the stone, the edge is what people see first. Rounded edges are safer around children and chip less than sharp square edges. Fancy shapes suit older-style kitchens.
- Cut-outs: the inside corners of sink and hob openings must be rounded. Sharp corners crack.
- Overhang: a breakfast bar that sticks out about 25 cm or more needs brackets under it. Follow your stone fitter’s advice.
- Joins: ask where the joins will be. Keep them away from the sink and hob.
- Splashback: a stone strip or full-height panel on the wall protects it and is easy to clean.
Sealing and daily care
Granite is dense but not fully waterproof, so most fitters put a sealer on it. To test it, drop a little water on the stone. If it turns dark after a few minutes, seal it again.
- Every day: wipe with a soft cloth, warm water and mild liquid soap.
- Do not use: scrubbing pads, bleach or strong cleaners. They can dull the shine and remove the sealer.
- Spills: wipe up oil, wine and coffee fast, before they soak in.
- Heat and weight: use a trivet for very hot pans. Do not stand or sit on an overhang.
Mistakes to avoid
- Picking from a small sample without seeing the real slab.
- Using a thin slab with nothing under it.
- Leaving sharp inside corners on sink and hob openings.
- Cutting food on the stone. It blunts knives and wears off the sealer. Use a chopping board.
- Using strong cleaners that remove the sealer or dull the shine.
- Skipping the measuring visit. Make the stone to your fitted cabinets and appliances, not only to the drawing.
This is general advice. Always follow your stone fitter or engineer, and your local building rules.
Stones that suit this space
Real stones from our collection, picked for this space. Open one for its details, then ask for a price or WhatsApp us.
Granite slabs
Black Markino
- Black
- Polished +1
- 18–30 mm
Ask for the price
Deep black granite with small white and silver flecks. A bold, polished look that stands out.
Granite slabs
Imperial Red
- Red
- Polished
- 20–30 mm
Ask for the price
Bright red granite with fine dark grains. A bold, polished colour that makes a statement.
Granite slabs
Jhansi Red
- Red
- Polished
- 20–30 mm
Ask for the price
Orange-red granite with fine dark speckle. A warm, glowing colour with a polished shine.
Granite slabs
Multicolor Red
- Red
- Polished
- 20 mm
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Dark red granite with brown, pink and black grains. A rich, many-toned look with a polished shine.
Countertops
Silver Pearl
- Black
- Polished +2
- 20–30 mm
Ask for the price
Black granite with silver-grey patches that catch the light. A rich, polished look.
Countertops
Smoke Black
- Grey
- Polished
- 20–30 mm
Ask for the price
Dark blue-grey granite with fine black wavy lines. A deep, rich colour with a polished shine.
Granite questions, answered
More places to use granite
Granite flooring
Tough, cool floors in a mirror shine or a soft matte. Pick the finish that grips.
Granite for landscaping
Paving, steps and garden stone that handle sun, rain and frost.
Granite staircases
Strong granite steps with anti-slip finishes, so every foot lands safe.
Ready to choose your stone? Let’s talk.
Tell us about your space, its size and the look you want. We will help you choose the stone, the finish and the thickness, then share a price.