I have granite in my kitchen (previous owners installed it) and didn't realize that you have to reseal it every year! Does anyone have any information on products and how to do this?

I am going to put my vote in for quartz counters. I recently upgraded my counters, and after weighing pros and cons of all materials, I settled on quartz. Not only is is durable with almost zero maintenance, you have an array of color options to pick from.

Some 15 years ago, preparatory to new house design and construction, I visited with a college-degreed, certified, registered, blue-ribboned, and sainted kitchen planner who assured me that I HAD to put granite counters in my kitchen. I assured her that I would never want granite counters and that opinion has never changed. The way I drop stuff, what I really wanted was rubber counters (she visibly shuddered), but I for sure don't want counters that look like petrified dinosaur vomit.

I've had granite counters for 7 years and never had to reseal them. There's no maintenance to then other than a wipe-down when ever I do dishes. I've put insanely hot pots on it, spilled red wine on them, left lemon slices on them, and nothing ever happens to them. I love them, and think they are classic. I have real granite counters not the composite granite. I do try not to bang anything on them for fear of chipping the counter or the item.

I am not big on the look of granite, but I will admit that taking care of it is a breeze. I have not dropped anything on my countertops (which I had nothing to do with picking; I live in a rental), but I have dropped a few things on the tile floor and whatever it is, it breaks every time. I really wish the flooring in the rest of the apartment (well, save the bathroom) carried into the kitchen.

@Clampers - go to any home improvement/hardware/stone&tile store and ask someone in the appropriate department. Sealing granite countertops is no big deal, and the sealer itself is not expensive.

I have granite countertops in my rental. While it's not something I would have chosen for myself (I too prefer quartz), I love their practicality. They don't show dirt or usage, unlike my previous rentals' formica countertops. I love that I can wipe crumbs right into the sink.

I'm a huge klutz, and I haven't yet broken anything on them. For a rental, I really cannot complain.

We have honed black granite counters in our (relatively) new kitchen. It does take a wee bit more work to keep them looking good than if they were patterned or colored (not unlike my experience with black appliances), but we're talking about an extra 10 seconds with a sponge. And again, that has more to do with the color and finish than the material. All surfaces need care, I really don't feel the granite is that much more work than anything else I've dealt with) And wespite being a klutz, I've not broken anything on them. The stainless-steel sink? Yep, lots. The counters? No.

I love them and I love the way they look, but I realize some folks don't - just like some folks thought we were/are nuts to pick bright red cabinets - to each, their own.

I'm the weirdo that prefers laminates. Visually, I don't like the look of granite. Don't know how it holds up in the long term in the kitchen but have heard good things, but my laminates look new and I'm very abusive towards them. I don't have to reseal them and if I get tired of the color, are inexpensive to replace. Everyone has their own tastes and its a good thing. Otherwise all kitchens would look alike and that would be boring.

We've had granite for 11 years. We last sealed them 10 1/2 years ago, and haven't had any problems.

I'd rather have granite over my green formica countertops... and better cabinets... and floor... etc. *sigh*

Every few weeks I clean with a stone cleaner that seals. Other than that they get a wipe like anything else would. No stains, no burns, no problems. Love the granite.

I'm a renter with granite of a similar color as the photo and I HATE it. It's so hard to tell when it's clean. Even after wiping it down, I'll catch it in a certain light and realize there's still smooshy stuff on it. And if some bit of something dries on it, it's a bear to get it off. When I buy, I don't know what I'm going to do my counters, but it ain't gonna be granite.

We never resealed our granite counters - they remained stain and scratch-free, and easy to clean. What I didn't like about them was having to be careful with glass and crockery on the hard surface, but that's true of all stone/ composite surfaces. We have a matte, grey marble now, which looks beautiful, but unfortunately it is not nearly as practical as the granite we had previously.

I like granite, but I like other materials also. I think there has been a big push toward granite counter tops recently, just like stainless steel appliances, and all of a sudden they are a "must have". Why? Many of the kitchens spotlighted on this site are beautiful without either.

I'm not a huge fan, the look is okay, but I am always fearful of breaking things on the counters - I'm not exactly graceful. My fiance and I are looking for a house right now, and so many have granite already, it sucks! We'd like to redo our kitchen eventually, but if we bought a place with granite, I'd feel so wasteful replacing it, so I'm trying really hard to steer him away from it... I'd muuuuch prefer either stainless steel or butcher block countertops!

My house came with 3/4" black granite counters that were installed 20+ years ago. It is not my personal choice (I would go with Quartz or Paperstone), however, they still look new. Personally I detest a rounded edge on granite (or any counter material) so I am pleased that mine have square, modern edges. The best part about them is taking roasting pans straight out of the oven and setting them on the counter. I do it all the time, so granite is probably a good surface for me. Spending 30 minutes once a year to seal them is not difficult.