Granite countertops have become the staple of a high-quality kitchen. Though only one of many countertop options, granite is deservedly popular for its durability, ease of maintenance, and sheer beauty. However, despite all of these benefits, some may still wonder if granite countertops are worth the relatively high cost, or what causes variations in price. So how much are granite countertops, exactly, and what factors affect their pricing?

GRANITE COUNTERTOP PRICES

The cost of granite countertops per square foot is usually about $45 to $200. Though this is a widely-accepted average price for granite countertops, many different factors influence this price point. One of the most obvious of these is the color of the stone. Certain colors are rarer or more in-demand than others, causing an increase in their price. Size and finishes also contribute to the cost. Using larger slabs in order to create minimal seams will increase the price of your countertop—especially for large jobs. On the other hand, seams are naturally a weak point, so the fewer seams, the more durable and stronger the countertops. Fancy finishes will also add to the bottom line, although many find it worth the extra cost to give a personal touch to their kitchen.

Other factors that influence granite countertop cost may be harder to see. For example, granite comes in a variety of different grades based on qualities that may not be easily visible to the typical consumer, such as composition and strength. However, once you’ve decided to go with granite for your kitchen build or renovation, such considerations become very important in deciding where you will purchase your granite.

THE CHEAPEST OPTIONS FOR GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

The cheapest options might be big box stores such as Lowes, but before you immediately run out to purchase Lowes’ granite countertops, it’s important to be aware that these stores don’t necessarily specialize in stone, and while you may have access to some design consultation, it will likely not be as extensive as that offered by companies whose focus is more specialized. At Sky Marble and Granite in Sterling, VA, for example, our experienced professionals work with the customer every step of the way. You’ll have access to superior assistance in the design of your kitchen and selection of your stone, and you’re even invited to go to the warehouse and hand-pick your slab, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting. With top quality products, you might spend a little more up front, but your countertops will last longer, and you’ll avoid costs such as unnecessary granite countertop repair due to errors in design or poor quality stone. Furthermore, should you need repairs or other services in the future, you’ll always know that you have a team of professionals to turn to.

When comparing prices and shopping around for your granite countertops, it’s important to weigh initial cost with other factors such as the grade of stone, color and design preferences, and professional support. At Sky Marble and Granite, you’ll find only the highest quality products and top-notch consultation services for every step of the design and installation process. We want you to love your new kitchen for many years to come, and for us, quality makes all the difference.

For more information, please read What Stone is the Best Choice for Me? or watch this video.

Growing trend

Rebecca Bullene, co-owner with her husband Adam Besheer of Brooklyn, NY-based botanic design and build firm Greenery NYC, has seen a huge uptick in demand in the past five years. “Our business has grown exponentially as more and more individuals seek to incorporate plants into their living spaces.” Demand is being driven from both pros and end users alike, she shares. “I think more clients are asking to integrate plants into the interior design and we are a company that understands how to build the infrastructure and systems to successfully grow plants long term indoors. It is a somewhat specialized skill set, to both know what plants to use and how to adapt the conditions through irrigation and lighting to optimize their growth, so people turn to us to help design and build plant installations as well selecting the appropriate plants for various site locations.”

Pondering the increased demand, she theorizes, “I think this is, in part, a response to being in front of screens all day – people crave a connection to nature and a break from the digital world. Additionally, I think more people are becoming aware of the many health benefits that come from living in close proximity to plants.” Those benefits include improved air quality, potential nutrition through greens, flavor from herbs and an overall feeling of welcome and relaxation, she notes.

New Trends – Kitchen countertops

Manufacturers are seeing a trend here, too. SieMatic and Poggenpohl have both built plant features into their cabinet lines, and Urban Cultivator, a Canadian company, has created an under-counter appliance to grow micro-greens and herbs in your kitchen. There was also an NKBA Thirty Under 30 team that won a KBIS Product of the Future award this year for its “Living Fridge” concept with built-in herb grower. Will the team be future manufacturers, as well, or will a well-known appliance maker license the concept? One can hope!

John Novella has been repping Urban Cultivator in four southwestern states since the product launched here four and a half years ago. The premium product has seen “nice year-after-year growth,” he says, with “East and West Coast markets” and “markets with new-home construction” being the fastest sellers.

Herb Garden

SieMatic’s URBAN Herb Garden was released in the U.S. market in 2016, notes Marcia Speer, director of retail markets for SieMatic Möbelwerke USA. It is now available in all 60 of the company’s global markets. “It appeals most to urban markets that place a priority on space, paired with a desire for more natural warmth to surround them. We found the URBAN collection tends to skew slightly younger than some of our other products, and that has been true with the herb garden as well.”

The product is not freestanding, but designed to install against cabinets or a wall. “We encourage designers and homeowners to be thoughtful about sunlight; to make sure plants get the right amount to thrive, the herb garden should be placed carefully, [and] the right plants should be chosen for the sunlight in each homeowner’s particular kitchen.” (Hint: Here’s where a plant specialist can be helpful.)

Challenges of growing plants indoors

Despite the challenges of growing plants indoors, these products have been successful. “We’ve been very pleased with the response to our herb garden – the reception has been more than we anticipated in the U.S. and Canada. Blog coverage, in particular, has brought a number of clients to discover SieMatic and approach our designers,” Speer observes.

Poggenpohl has also built a stainless steel plant holder into its product lines, and a few other new features being introduced are plant-friendly.

Plants in kitchens

Julie Moir Messervy, CEO of landscape architecture and design firm JMMDS in Saxtons River, VT and Home Outside online design service and mobile app, is also the author of New Landscaping Ideas That Work (Taunton Press) and seven earlier plant-related books. While her books, residential services, and digital offerings help homeowners have greener thumbs, she also works with architects, builders, interior designers and other industry pros to ensure that plantings work in the indoor and outdoor spaces they’re designing. For kitchens, she says, “The new craze is vertical, indoor salad gardens with their own light source.”

“More and more people are interested in growing their own food,” Bullene comments, “and herbs are a great place to start without giving up too much living space. We recently installed a freestanding herb wall we designed that comes with its own self-contained irrigation tanks and LED lighting so that a particular client could grow food in their low-light kitchen space. We get at least a few inquiries each week on how best to grow edibles indoors.”

Plants in bathrooms

Plants are showing up in bathroom projects, too, and bring some definite benefits: “Plants help reduce stress and, as a place of respite, it’s great to incorporate plants into bathroom spaces,” Bullene recommends. “Bathrooms tend to be humid, so it’s a place that certain tropical plants enjoy, and of course the power of fresh air in a bathroom cannot be overstated,” the botanic designer adds.

“Plants that like moisture in the air are very happy in bathrooms,” declares Ive Haugeland, a Sausalito, CA-based landscape architect and owner of Shades of Green Landscape Architecture. Ferns and air plants do well in those spaces, she suggests. “Make sure you have enough natural light. Plants usually look good anywhere, but when inside in pots, we are 100 percent in control of their environment and chance of survival.” The planters or pots should also look good with the rest of the design, she notes. There are now quite a few to choose from, including self-watering models that make life easier for clients.

“Some people are creating naturalized garden walls, with natural stones, craggy ferns and overhead faucets that mimic waterfalls,” designing a feeling of the outdoors into their indoor spaces, observes Messervy.

Bullene shares that “living walls are becoming a beautiful trend in bathrooms. Because the humidity and heat are generally higher in the bathroom, it’s often an optimal space to create lush displays, and their already ample plumbing and drains make incorporating watering systems very easy.”

Plants in outdoor kitchens

“We’ve designed living walls, vegetable gardens, pots with herbs and even a millstone table with herbs planted in it for plucking. Probably most popular, because they are the easiest to plant and care for, are containers – you can plant just about anything in a container from small trees to shrubs, vegetables, herbs or flowers,” Messervy recommends.

Containers are popular with Greenery NYC’s urban clients, too. “We have installed many veggie gardens to grow tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, cucumbers, melons and lots and lots of herbs,” recalls Bullene. Of course space is very limited in New York City outdoor kitchens, so we’re mostly trying to maximize the yield in a very small amount of space; container gardening plays a big role in that.” Haugeland’s clients are focused on living architecture: “Most often the plants are for screening, or for dividing the space into rooms, or to create a backdrop for the kitchen. Sometimes we do plant herbs or a vegetable garden near the outdoor kitchen.”

Planning for plants

Just as you do for so many other aspects of your projects, you need to plan ahead for plant installations. “The earlier a plant professional is brought into the build discussion, the better,” Bullene says. “It can be heartbreaking to have to re-open a wall and run more plumbing on a near-finished project because the design/build team didn’t know where the plumbing should be located for the plants.”

Last words

Plants are healthy for your clients, for the planet and, with the right planning and coordination, your profitability

Marble shares many of the same characteristics as granite. It is also a genuine natural stone and, like granite, it’s heat resistant. Marble also allows many of the same design choices as granite, such as undermount sinks. However, marble does have its cons. The classic beauty that makes this the stone so often equated with luxury means that it costs a little more, and it is also a bit less durable. Marble tends to stain more easily than granite—and is also sensitive to acids like vinegar and lemon juice—although correctly sealing it can help. As a somewhat softer stone, it is also prone to scratching with daily use. The available color choices are more limited as well—although Sky Marble and Granite still offers seventeen different options, ranging from dark and exotic Negro Marquina to classic White Carrara. On the other hand, while Sky Marble and Granite does offer some granite and quartz options that have marble-like veining, the timeless, swirled patterns of marble are difficult to top.

For some people, the comparative delicacy of marble is outweighed by their love of a crisp white marble look or the classic beauty of its veining. For others, keeping the space looking like new isn’t a priority—perhaps you love the character that comes with an occasional scratch or stain and appreciate the aging of your stone like that of fine wine. Marble can also be an excellent choice for areas that are mainly for aesthetic purposes rather than everyday use. Whichever stone you chose, the experts at Sky Marble and Granite will help you make sure that it’s the perfect one to make your dream design a reality.

Quartz Countertops with Dark Color Cabinet

A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to update your kitchen. It’s a cost-effective, low-hassle way to make your space feel fresh and new. Talk to a kitchen design expert or pick up some samples from your local hardware store to find a color that suits your tastes and works well with the existing elements of your kitchen. If you’re looking for a cool, airy feel that maximizes natural light, white or pastel colors are excellent options that yield a clean and timeless look. If your cabinets are black, white, or grey, consider a stylish neutral color scheme—you’ll be surprised by the variety of grays available to choose from!

Alternatively, a bold, vibrant color choice can add energy and excitement to your space, making it a more appealing place to pass your time. A brilliant red or rich blue might be just what your kitchen needs to spice it up a bit! And if you’re looking for an even easier project, or it there’s a color that your particularly love but fear might overwhelm your space, consider creating an accent wall. You’ll be surprised just how much changing one wall can alter the atmosphere of your entire kitchen.

Marble Kitchen Countertops with Accessories

Even just the addition of a few accessories can give your kitchen new interest. New chairs or tables can totally change the look of your kitchen—and so can even smaller details. Consider swapping out the old plastic storage containers that hide in your cupboard for lovely ceramics that are useful and aesthetically pleasing. And don’t forget about the knobs and handles of your cupboards and drawers—exchange old, standard handles for something more suited to your tastes or the theme of your kitchen. You’ll be surprised at the difference even this small change can make.

White Marble Countertops with White Cabinet

If you’re ready for more than new cabinet drawer handles, it might be time to think about upgrading your kitchen countertop. Countertops are in many ways the centerpiece of the kitchen, and a great stone can drastically increase your kitchen’s functionality and its aesthetic appeal. Sky Marble and Granite in Sterling, VA, has a wide selection of granite, quartz, and quartzite selections, and you’re sure to find one that’s perfectly suited to your needs and tastes. Both engineered and natural options are durable, low-maintenance, heat resistant, and just downright beautiful. A quality stone is an investment that will last for many years, holding up to the wear and tear of everyday use and still looking good enough to impress your guests. In addition, selecting the right stone can help unite your kitchen design—for example, a light stone with gray swirls can be the perfect finish for a neutral kitchen with gray cabinets and white walls, or vice versa. Whether you’re envisioning a sparkling light stone or a luxuriously veined or grained pattern, a countertop upgrade is a surefire way to revitalize your kitchen.

Quartz Countertop

This kitchen is as classy as they come! The simple, geometric design and neutral color of the cabinets allows the light, subtly-veined Calacatta Vincenza Quartz Countertop to be the star of the show, and it’s beautiful both as countertop and full-height backsplash, even extending around the range hood to turn this often-overlooked feature into an eye-catching accent. The stainless-steel six-burner gas stove and oven is a beautiful and practical choice fit for even the most finicky chef, and it’s even equipped with yet another unusual and useful detail. An extra spigot included in the backsplash makes it easy to fill pots or add a bit of water without ever leaving the stove—not only does it look great, but it’s also one of those features that will make you wonder how you ever cooked without it.

Quartz Kitchen Countertop Ideas

It’s easy to imagine enjoying the natural light in this kitchen while working at the big farmhouse-style white porcelain sink with plenty of counterspace on either side. In a kitchen with as much countertop area as this one, the choice of a light, subtly-veined stone helps keep the space from feeling too busy, creating instead a clean and airy atmosphere.

Countertops are always a main focal point in any kitchen, but when you find a stone you love, you’ll want a design that maximizes its potential. This kitchen’s waterfall island and full-height backsplash do just that. The gorgeous white Calacatta Vincenza Quartz is especially stunning as it spills down the sides of the island to meet the dark wood floor, reflecting the natural light. Its color and veining are exquisitely delicate, but the engineered stone itself is not—quartz is highly durable and maintenance free, making it the perfect choice to keep your kitchen looking like a showpiece despite daily use. And whether Calacatta Vincenza Quartz seems just right for your own kitchen or whether you have something else in mind, SKY Marble and Granite can help you find the stone that speaks to you—you can even pick out the individual slab!

White Quartz Countertop with Gray Cabinet

Imagine the culinary possibilities in this kitchen, with its extra built-in ovens, island sink, and other great features—any chef would be well-equipped here! Family and friends are sure to feel at home, too, with the comfy island seating area. As you think about designing your own aesthetically-pleasing yet practical kitchen space, this design offers lots of ideas to think about. And of course, it never hurts to consult a professional like SKY Marble and Granite in Sterling, VA! We’re always ready to help you with your design ideas, down to the smallest detail.