Granite gains popularity among homeowners
Granite Countertops best Choice
By Sherry P. Shephard
 Although its aesthetic appeal and durability has long made granite a favorite among some homeowners, the stone's popularity appears to be increasing. David Cook, owner of Louisiana Granite Yard, Inc., in Haughton, said all upscale homes have granite, and with the price of granite dropping, homeowners are finding it more affordable. Cook's prices for granite start at $24.95 per square foot installed and it's that price that caught the attention of James Gilliam, a Shreveport native who recently moved back home from New York. "One Sunday we were going to eat crawfish and when we got there we saw all of this granite," Gilliam said.
Gilliam was unaware Cook, owner of the granite yard, also owns the crawfish restaurant where they had gone to eat. "We saw a sign and it was amazing because it was almost $24 cheaper than the other places we looked," Gilliam said. But although granite prices seem to be more affordable, Quintin Hardtner, owner of B&B Cut Stone in Shreveport, said several things should be factored into the overall price.
For starters, the type of granite selected can have an impact on its cost and the exotic colors come at a higher price tag. "The price can range from $50 per square foot to more than $100 per square foot depending on the type of granite selected," Hardtner said. He also said when it comes to the undermount sink, which sits beneath the rim of the cutout, the retail cost can range from $200-$350 for a polished cutout or $50-$100 for an unfinished cutout. And special edgings also raise the cost of granite countertops. "There generally are two or three tiers of edge upgrades that will increase the retail cost from $5 to $20 per square foot," Hardtner said. "Oftentimes it is quoted by the linear foot, which ranges from $10 to $40 a linear foot." But cost aside, Gilliam is pleased with the new countertops.
Gilliam said when his wife, Rhonda, saw the countertops in their new home before the granite was installed, she wanted to paint the cabinets white. "But when she saw the difference the granite made she said, 'We don't need to paint the cabinets.'"
"This is probably going to be the house we retire in," Gilliam said. "The granite just added an elegance to the house." And though granite is similar in appearance to marble, another popular stone used in homes, Hardtner points out some differences between the two. For starters, granite is much better suited for kitchens because it doesn't react to acidic foods, Hardtner said. "We generally put marble in bathrooms away from food," he said, adding it's not well suited for kitchens because it stains easily.
"For example, if you leave a lime on a marble countertop it will take the polish off," Hardtner said. "Marble is just a softer stone." Hardtner also pointed out granite is pretty much indestructible and won't easily scratch. "You have to use another piece of granite to scratch granite," he said. "It'll ruin your knives if you cut on it." And though Hardtner and Cook agree that granite is durable, it can stain. "The more porous it is, the more likely it will stain," Cook said, adding that with the new sealers available there generally is no problem with stains. Hardtner also discourages people from putting things such as cast iron pots on top of granite countertops. "Granite can withstand heat and even though you can put a hot pot on it, we encourage people to use a trivet," Hardtner said.
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