The Complete Guide to Granite Worktops
Granite worktops bring natural beauty and outstanding durability to UK kitchens. As a 100% natural stone, every granite worktop is unique — no two slabs share the same veining or pattern. This guide covers everything you need to know before you buy granite worktops, from costs and colours to sealing and how granite compares with quartz. Browse our full range of granite worktops at trade rates, or explore each topic below.
What Is Granite?
Granite is a natural igneous rock quarried in huge blocks and cut into slabs for worktops. Formed over millions of years, it is extremely hard, heat resistant and rich in natural colour and movement. Because it is a natural material, granite worktops are porous and need sealing to stay stain resistant — but in return you get a genuinely one-of-a-kind surface.
How Much Do Granite Worktops Cost?
Granite worktop pricing depends on the colour and rarity of the stone, the slab thickness (usually 20mm or 30mm) and your kitchen layout, including cut-outs for sinks and hobs. Exotic colours cost more than classic blacks and greys. Buying at trade rates keeps granite competitive with engineered alternatives — send us your plans for an accurate quote.
Granite Worktop Colours
Granite offers some of the most striking natural colours of any worktop material, from deep blacks to blues, browns and golds. Popular granite worktop colours include:
- Black granite worktops — classic, dramatic and timeless
- Grey granite worktops — versatile and easy to match
- White and light granite — bright with natural speckling
- Blue, brown and gold granites — bold statement colours
Granite vs Quartz
The classic comparison. Granite is 100% natural with unique veining but needs periodic sealing, while quartz is engineered, non-porous and maintenance-free. Granite is slightly more heat resistant; quartz offers more consistent colour. Read our full guide to quartz worktops to compare, or see our overview of the different types of worktops.
Granite Pros & Cons
The strengths of granite worktops are natural beauty, excellent heat resistance, hardness and the fact that every slab is unique. On the downside, granite is porous and needs sealing once or twice a year to resist stains, and its natural variation means the slab you receive will differ slightly from any sample.
Sealing & Caring for Granite
Granite worktops should be sealed on installation and re-sealed periodically to keep the surface stain resistant. Day to day, clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, and wipe up acidic spills such as wine or citrus promptly. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners, which can wear down the sealer over time.
Granite Worktops FAQs
Do granite worktops need sealing?
Yes. Granite is a natural, porous stone, so it should be sealed on installation and re-sealed periodically to stay stain resistant.
Are granite worktops heat resistant?
Granite is highly heat resistant, but using a trivet for very hot pans is still good practice to protect the surface and any sealer.
Is granite or quartz better?
Neither is “better” — granite offers natural, one-of-a-kind character, while quartz offers consistency and zero maintenance. It comes down to your priorities.
Ready to Choose Your Granite Worktop?
Explore our full collection of granite worktops at trade rates, or send us your kitchen plans and our team will help you choose the perfect natural stone for your space and budget.
Still choosing? See our full quartz vs granite comparison to decide which surface is right for you.