Can granite countertops be used in the bathroom?

Natural stone, granite is increasingly being used in the making of countertops. Whether for a kitchen, an office, a game room, to name just a few, it has become difficult to do without. A high-quality material, this stone boasts a veined, grainy, and crystalline appearance, along with a durability that adds to its charm. If you’re considering installing a granite countertop in your bathroom, you should first be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of using such a countertop in that space.

ADVANTAGES OF USING A GRANITE COUNTERTOP IN THE BATHROOM

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS RESIST MOISTURE

Granite countertops can resist moisture—but only if they have been previously sealed and that sealant is reapplied annually. Indeed, this type of countertop inherits the key properties of granite itself. It’s worth remembering: granite is rich in quartz and is highly recommended for bathroom surfaces due to its near-zero absorption rate. As a result, granite countertops are not affected by humidity.

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS ARE RESISTANT TO WATER AND SOAP

Neither water nor soap will damage a granite countertop. In fact, both are highly recommended for removing stains and other impurities on the surface. However, for optimal cleaning, it is best to use hot water.

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS: ELEGANT, STRONG, AND DURABLE

This luxurious type of countertop is often sought after for the elegance it adds to any bathroom. Its beauty comes from its high-end composition of feldspar crystals, quartz, and mica. Granite offers a wide range of colors—from light gray to black, including pink, red, white, and blue tones—as well as varied and irregular patterns. This makes every granite countertop one of a kind.

Additionally, the intense pressure under which granite is formed deep within the Earth gives it exceptional hardness and resistance to scratches and corrosion. When well maintained, granite countertops do not deteriorate.

DISADVANTAGES OF USING A GRANITE COUNTERTOP IN THE BATHROOM

DIFFICULT TO MATCH TWO GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Granite countertops are hard to match. Indeed, combining two different granite slabs is tricky due to the irregularity of their patterns. As a result, it’s usually necessary to purchase a brand-new slab to cover the desired surface. This can be a hassle, especially considering the high cost of granite countertops (ranging from $40 to $200 per square foot).

POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GRANITE

In recent years, many have questioned the safety of granite. Although no scientific study has definitively shown granite to be highly toxic to human health, it has been proven to contain radon. Radon is a naturally radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in the earth. It can be found in rocks, soil, industrial settings, medical devices, and some building materials—though usually in small amounts. Still, prolonged exposure to this gas is extremely harmful to health and is a known cause of lung cancer.

That said, granite countertops contain only trace amounts of this harmful gas. Rest assured—the radon levels emitted by granite countertops are generally around 0.0003 pCi/L (picocuries per liter), which is well below the safety limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). After conducting more than 400 tests on about 115 granite countertop varieties and other rocks potentially harmful to health, scientists concluded that the radon emission levels from granite countertops in homes are low to virtually insignificant. In other words, granite contributes very little to indoor radon gas levels.

However, if you still have doubts, consider doing a radon test in your home. Keep in mind that a test lasting only two or three days won’t be very accurate.