WHY ARE GRANITE WORKTOPS SO EXPENSIVE Granite worktops have proved one of the favourite options amongst worktop materials, far more preferred on the whole than woods metals or any other equivalent. It is rare when talking interior design, especially when talking about kitchens, that you can escape the mention of granite work tops and the such, wherever there may be a new build under construction or a kitchen to be reconstructed. For all those concerned in such a field, granite has proved a very popular choice and is holding its popularity. Not only is granite a very aesthetically pleasing surface, it also provides a large number of desirable design features that help the home dweller create that perfect kitchen environment. However, the one issue that does frequently get mentioned when it comes to purchasing granite as the material of choice for worktops, is that of cost. Granite is unfortunately one of the most expensive materials to use, far more than wood or plastic and a little more than materials such as quartz. However, there are reasons for this, mainly related to the absolutely superior quality of the products for building quality worktops compared to its rivals. The reason for its superior quality, or at least much of the reason, is to do with the nature of its formation, crystallising from magma and creating a very coarse grained igneous rock, consisting primarily of mica and feldspar and quartz. It is phenomenally tough and very durable due to this very robust combination of minerals. Granite is very tough and enormously durable, to the extent that there are very few other materials besides granite itself capable of causing it any damage whatsoever. When you pay that little extra for granite you pay for a material that enjoys a natural advantage over other materials used in interior dĂŠcor due to this afore-mentioned durability. Both heated and cooled by nature, there are few environments that are able to affect it with a high level of resistance to extreme temperatures. You don't have to worry about putting a boiling pan momentarily down of a granite surface, nor an overly frozen food bag. The granite won't show even the merest sign that either was ever there. With such features immediately identifiable, it swiftly becomes apparent that an investment in granite pays dividends over the long term due to the reduced need for maintenance and/or replacement. But, it's not just about the function: granite is also a beautiful and versatile material that compliments any environment within which it sits. So extravagant and lustrous is the appearance of granite that it remains the material of choice for the most exclusive and elite hotels and restaurants. Granite seems to endow its surroundings with a certain touch of class that just can't be emulated by other materials and cannot be bought elsewhere for any price. Yes, granite generally speaking costs more than equivalent materials used to manufacture worktops, but the advantages granite gives you, both in regards to its superior quality and its unmatchable aesthetic appeal, means that those few extra pennies end up going a very long way indeed.