Plastic laminate used to be the only game in town. If you bought a house in the mid-20th century, your kitchen counters were likely that stuff. It was cheap. It was everywhere. You could add wood trim if you felt fancy, but that was the limit of customization. Then came solid-surface acrylics in the ’70s. Corian and Avonite promised stains and heat resistance. They cost more, sure. But homeowners with deeper pockets jumped on board. Granite arrived in the ’80s and changed the rules.
The Granite Era
Granite is one of the hardest natural stones on Earth. It beats Corian on durability. It handles heat better. It resists scratches. The catch used to be the price. Granite started at roughly $70 per square foot. Compare that to $20 for laminate and $40 for Corian. Most people couldn’t justify the upgrade. They didn’t care. They fell in love with the stone immediately. Within a decade, granite became the standard. It wasn’t just popular. It was dominant.
By the 2000s, the market shifted. Granite started coming in more colors. More patterns. Since it is natural stone, no two slabs look identical. That uniqueness sells. Installation improved too. Fewer seams. Sometimes zero seams. The price dropped significantly, too. You can now find granite starting at $20 to $35 per square foot. High-end slabs still run $80 to $100 per square foot. It depends on color and fabrication complexity. The main downside? You have to seal it. Every year. Use a targeted granite sealer. Stop that, and stains seep right into the porous stone.
The Radon Question
A 2012 survey by the National Kitchen & Bath Association showed granite remains the top choice for kitchens and baths. But the trend might be peaking. Some people are worried about health hazards. Granite emits radon gas. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in America. Manufacturers admit it. They say the stone contains uranium, thorium, and potassium. These materials decay and release radon. They claim the amount is so tiny it poses no risk. Experts agree. Most granite emits low levels of radiation. Not likely harmful. But some argue that any level presents a risk. That fear is driving some homeowners away.
Is that the real reason granite is losing ground? Probably not. The market is just looking for the next best thing. Engineered quartz.
Quartz Takes Over
Engineered quartz is made by setting ground quartz into resin. Then it gets polished to a fine sheen. Trade names include Silestone, CaesarStone, Cambria, and Zodiaq. Quartz costs a bit more than granite. Prices start around $45 per square foot. More people are choosing it. Why? It is more stain-resistant. More durable. It comes in a wider variety of colors. It has a uniform appearance. Natural stone rarely looks this consistent. Consumer Reports rated quartz the top performer in 2010. It beat everyone in stain, heat, and scratch resistance. Best part for busy people? It doesn’t need annual sealing.
Granite is still number one. Quartz is number two. But quartz is growing fast. A 2011 Freedonia Group Report called it the fastest-growing segment. Quartz grew 13 percent. Granite grew only 5 percent. The appeal is simple. Quartz has all the advantages of granite. Plus some. It is more than twice as strong as granite. It is not porous. No sealing required. This means the surface won’t promote mold, mildew, or bacteria. That is a big deal for cleanliness.
Marble and glass are gaining traction too. Their market share is small. But if granite eventually gets toppled from the throne, quartz will likely be its successor. The shift is already happening. You just have to look closely.
