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The Daily Insight

When should I replace my granite countertops?

Author

Chloe Ramirez

Updated on March 17, 2026

Your Countertops Look Outdated

While you'll incur an additional expense you may not have budgeted for, it will save you time and can even make you money in the long run. In general, kitchen countertops should be replaced every 10-15 years, which is roughly the lifecycle of interior trends.

How long will granite countertop last?

In comparison to other countertop materials, granite has the capacity to last longer than other materials. Most granite and other natural stones can last anywhere from 100 years or more; whereas marble countertops last an average of 20 years.

How often should you refinish granite countertops?

Most (but not all) granite countertops will need sealing upon installation and then resealed every 1 - 5 years depending on the color and porosity of the granite, the quality of the sealer, and proper sealant application.

When should I replace my countertops?

8 Signs It's Time To Replace Your Kitchen Countertops

  • Countertops Are Cracked Or Eroding. ...
  • Countertops Have Stains Or Burn Marks You Can't Remove. ...
  • You're Selling Your Home & Want To Increase Home Value. ...
  • You Need To Update Your Kitchen Without Spending A Fortune. ...
  • Your Countertops Look Outdated. ...
  • Smoke Or Structural Damage.

Should I keep my granite countertops?

In a word, yes, if your granite is busy and warm (or looks like meat). But, it depends on what you're trying to do. If you love your granite and aren't selling your home, keep it and enjoy.

How to Update Your Old Counter tops to Quartz

Is granite out of style 2021?

Granite and other natural stone countertop sales are projected to grow into 2025, according to economists. Consumers and homeowners have fallen in love with granite over the last twenty years, and that's not ending anytime soon!

How do you know when granite needs to be resealed?

If the granite surface immediately takes in most of the water and develops a dark mark or ring, you need to seal it once every few months. If it takes a few minutes for your stone countertop to soak up all the water, you only need to seal it once every year or two.

Should I replace granite?

If your marble, quartz, or black granite countertop is cracked or worn, and you've done your research, and it still can't be fixed, then it's time to replace it. Cracked countertops present a cleaning challenge as it's difficult to get rid of bacteria thoroughly.

How difficult is it to replace granite countertops?

While some other countertop materials like laminate might be easy to DIY, removing granite slabs and installing quartz require high levels of expertise, tools, and technical skills. It is recommended that you seek the services of an expert to make the entire process a success.

Can you replace granite countertops without replacing cabinets?

Here's the short answer: Yes, absolutely. You can replace your countertops without having to renovate all your cabinets.

Do granite countertops need to be resealed?

Granite is one of the strongest materials on Earth, so is it really necessary to seal granite countertops? Absolutely! Granite that has not been properly sealed can store germs and moisture – things you don't want on your food preparation surfaces.

Can I use Lysol wipes on granite?

Lysol. You should not use Lysol on your granite countertops, backsplashes or vanity tops. The cleaner contains harsh ingredients that can cause your sealer to lose its effectiveness. In specific, scents such as lemon contain citric acid, so you need to keep away from those.

What happens if you don't seal granite?

What Happens If You Don't Seal Granite Countertops? If you don't use a granite sealer on your countertops (or you wait too long before resealing granite countertops), they will: Absorb food, grease, and liquids — causing set-in stains on your countertop. Absorb water — making the countertop always look dirty.

What happens to granite over time?

Granite tends to sit abundantly within the continental crust of the Earth. Sedimentary rock formations cover granite. Over time, the sedimentary rocks may move or they might erode away. When this happens, the granite becomes exposed.

What are the problems with granite countertops?

The most concerning problems can occur when the countertops are not sealed correctly or the sealant wears off without the counters being resealed. Granite is porous. This means that unsealed or poorly sealed counters can absorb wine, juice or oil, producing a stain that might be impossible to remove.

Is granite worth the cost?

Either installing from the building process or replacing the old laminate countertops, the investment you are making by upgrading to granite countertops is a no-brainer. The monetary investment will be worth it in the long run not only for the elegance and appeal, but it will add anywhere from 20%-30% of the cost.

What can you do with outdated granite?

If you can't change the granite, change its surroundings

  1. Give the cabinets a facelift with paint.
  2. Go further and replace those cabinets.
  3. Give a new face to the wall above the counters (by repainting perhaps).
  4. Repaint all the kitchen walls.
  5. Freshen up the floor.

Can you recolor granite countertops?

Yes, you can but you will need to prepare for your painting project ahead of time. You can paint granite countertops, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, coffee bars, and more with the proper primer, paint, and sealer to spruce up any room in your house, including bathrooms and kitchens.

Can an existing granite countertops be refinished?

If you've tried everything else and you still have dull granite countertops, you may need to go for the big fix: refinishing. Remember that the shine on your countertops comes from the finish on the stone itself. If the finish is damaged, no amount of cleaning, buffing, and polishing can get it back.

Should I replace my kitchen countertops?

Your Kitchen Has Suffered Smoke or Structural Damage

In many cases, smoke damage is hard to fully fix, and structural damage from fire even less so. This means countertops must generally be completely replaced after a fire. Fortunately, homeowner insurance may cover the costs of replacing your damaged counters.

Can damaged granite be repaired?

Impacts from heavy items can cause pieces of granite to chip off. If a substantial chip has broken off, save it and call a professional to restore it. They will be able to reattach it and smooth out the edges where the chip broke away. For smaller chips, repair kits are available to fix the issue with epoxy.

Are black countertops outdated?

We all know (perhaps a bit too well) the traditional solid black granite countertop. This design may feel overdone or outdated. Many older homes contain these countertops, and refreshing the space is essential to creating a comfortable and modern feeling. The good news is that black granite doesn't have to be dated.

How much does granite sealing cost?

The national average materials cost to seal granite is $0.19 per square foot, with a range between $0.18 to $0.20. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $1.20, coming in between $0.77 to $1.63. A typical 120 square foot project costs $144.03, with a range of $92.54 to $195.51.

Can you seal granite yourself?

The good news is sealing granite is an easy do-it-yourself project. Many homeowners seal their granite counters once or twice a year, although you can seal them more regularly if you wish because it is not possible to over-seal natural stone.

Can you put a hot pan on granite countertop?

The short answer is “yes, but you probably shouldn't.” Because of granite's heat tolerance, you can take a hot pan directly out of the oven and put it directly on your countertop. Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly.