How to Change the Color of your Granite Countertops | DIY Guide (2023)

FAQs

Is there any way to change the color of granite countertops? ›

The short answer is that you can paint granite countertops. Granite is a porous material, so it's vital to seal the countertops before painting them. Otherwise, the granite might get harmed by the paint.

We can use the honing technique on many different surfaces, the most popular being marble and quartzite (quartz is actually a manmade product consisting of quartzite, which is the solid stone). Honing your granite is a great way to bring it up to date without actually having to replace your very costly countertops.

One of the easiest ways of covering your kitchen countertops is by painting over them. It is a lot more permanent than using a peel and stick, though you will need to use a paint which will work. Fortunately, an acrylic paint used for the interior of a house should do the trick, even painted on a laminate surface.

So, yes, you can paint over granite countertops and make them a thing of beauty.

Make sure the primer is compatible with the epoxy coating or professional polyurethane you plan to use for your granite. Once you've allowed the primer to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, you can finally paint. It's vital that you use a finish that's specifically made for countertops.

The answer is that while no material is completely 100-percent stain-proof, granite countertops are surprisingly stain-resistant— and that includes light colors, too!

A cheap way to change a kitchen countertop when using granite is to buy tiles instead of slabs. Many homeowners aren't aware that they can choose between tiles and slabs. Slabs are suited to flooring or large wall and countertop surface areas, especially contemporary kitchen islands with granite waterfalls.

Painting old granite countertops It's really a great idea, because as granite colors go out of style, there has to be some solution to upgrade them other than spending huge money to replace them. Especially if you buy a home where the existing stone countertops are an awful color. I've seen some pretty ugly stone.

Painting Countertops

This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.

Use a Countertop Paint Kit

You can purchase paint kits that allow you to update the look of your countertops. The product is simple to use and can give you the look of stone for less than hundred dollars. If you want a new look, but don't want to spend a lot of money, painting your countertops is a great option.

What color paint looks best on granite countertops? ›

Neutral colors, such as creams, grays and beiges work well with most granite countertop styles. Pairing granites with neutral paint colors works well as granite is a natural element. You should use lighter shades for a balanced look or mid-tone shades for a bolder look.

Black granite is a classic color that will never go out of style. It's perfect for a modern kitchen with clean lines. Black granite is very versatile and can be used in both traditional and contemporary kitchens.

For one, paint, irrespective of the kind, is not as durable as granite itself and is likely to crumble. Additionally, it's not completely water-resistant, and will start getting stained and flaking off the minute it starts absorbing water, which is again thoroughly impractical.

The average lifespan of refinished countertops is 5-7 years. However, we have seen some homeowners have beautiful looking countertops a full decade after refinishing. It all depends on how much you use your counters and how well you care for them.

If you get any color transfer, the stone is dyed. These chemicals can be purchased at most home improvement or paint supply stores. Dyes can include homemade blends such as charcoal and linseed oil. Pre-packaged color enhancers are also used to darken granite.

There are many countertop paint kits available that are surface-specific and already include all the supplies you need, and there are even kits that can help you make a laminate or granite countertop look like marble.

Remedying Damage

If you choose one spot on a granite counter for placing extremely hot items, over time you may notice discoloration on the granite counter surface. Generally, the discoloration exists on the sealant layer on top of the granite and not on the granite itself.

Granite can be cut wet or dry using a circular saw or an angle grinder. Cutting wet granite requires a wet-cutting saw that you can rent or buy from nearby hardware stores. Both wet and dry cutting emit fine residues that appear like a slurry substance during wet cutting and a cloud of dust for dry cutting.

Do granite countertops increase appraisal value? ›

Granite and quartz countertops offer a great return on investment when it comes to increasing the value of your home.

Quartz countertops are one of the best alternatives to granite counters in terms of durability, aesthetic appeal, functionality, and versatility.

If you are thinking of a kitchen renovation, you should know that dark speckled granite is no longer in vogue. In my part of the country (New England) many homeowners have grown tired of being bossed around by the busy, dark, speckled stone. Many are incurring the expense of ripping it out.

To put a shine on your granite, pour a little cooking oil on a soft cleaning cloth and wipe it across the countertop. Buff it gently. This makes the counter a little bit stain-resistant and gives it a glossy shine. Even if you know how to clean countertops correctly, your granite will need to be resealed periodically.

Painting granite counters, or resurfacing granite countertops, is a good option to make a big upgrade in the appearance of your home on a tight budget. Refinishing is a huge cost savings compared to replacing them with new countertops.

While tile may be able to endure for 100 years or more, that doesn't take into account the gunk and grime that can accumulate between the tiles. On the other hand, granite and other natural stones can expect a lifespan of 100 years, and maybe more, without worrying about such annoyances.

Removing dry paint from granite will require the use of a lacquer thinner. You will want to sparingly apply the lacquer thinner to the paint spill with a soft rag. Then, you will want to take a new razor blade, held at a 45-degree angle to the surface of the countertop, to scrape the paint off the granite carefully.

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.

Hardness: Harder countertops are more resistant to chips, scratches, and gouges. Granite, tile, and quartz are among the hardest countertop materials.

Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project. In this article, we'll look at the differences between natural granite stone and engineered quartz stone and the factors that affect pricing so you can determine which material is best for your design project.

Do countertops affect resale value? ›

Your Granite Countertop Installation Decision Guide

Consider that while new countertops can add appeal, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says that home sellers typically only recoup 57% of what they spend when they sell. So, if you spend $10,000 on new countertops, you are immediately throwing away $4,300.

To make the countertop shine, spray them with a vinegar solution. Mix 2 cups water with 1 tablespoon vinegar in a spray bottle (Image 1 below). Spray the countertop down, and allow the solution to sit for 2 minutes (Image 2 below). Finally, wipe the counter clean.

Many recommend a water-based acrylic primer, paint and top coat. Acrylic paint dries to provide the hard surface needed for heavy-use areas like countertops, while water-based acrylic paint cleans up with water and is low on odors.

There is some debate around recouping the money you spend on upgrading kitchen countertops. But as a general rule, you should not bet on this happening. Instead, if you do choose to go through with the upgrade, consider it an investment towards selling the property faster.

Here's the short answer: Yes, absolutely. You can replace your countertops without having to renovate all your cabinets. However, there are a few implications and questions you may want to consider before you decide to go that route.

The short answer is that you can paint granite countertops. Granite is a porous material, so it's vital to seal the countertops before painting them. Otherwise, the granite might get harmed by the paint.

Dark Granite Is Denser Than Light Granite

All varieties of granite are incredibly durable, but darker stone tends to stand up better to excessive wear and tear. If you want the option that is going to last the longest and be the easiest to maintain, you're probably better off getting a darker color granite countertop.

Pure and absolutely classic, white granite is the top choice in the traditional kitchen setting.

What color granite is easiest to clean? ›

White granite is the most popular color for kitchen countertops because it's elegant and clean-looking. It's also the easiest type of granite to care for.

Gray is a classic and timeless choice for a quartz or granite counter. Due to its splashed and unpolished nature, this can be a great choice for a rustic style, but it can also suit any modern style.

Interior designer Rudolph Diesel expects granite to fall out of favor when designing kitchens in 2023. "The standard for the last 30 years, granite is finally falling out of favor for more unconventional finishes such as quartzite and porcelain that are set to take kitchen design by storm in 2023," Diesel said.

One of the rarest types of granite the world is Van Gogh Granite known for its aqua blue and mint green color with burnt orange veining. Since the combination of blue and red granite specifically is so rare in nature it is the most expensive.

Nearly any type of counter can be overlaid, as long as it is strong enough to support the overlay: tile, laminate, stainless steel, granite, quartz, concrete, and wood.

Can Granite Stain? Yes, granite can stain. However, it is very rare that it actually does. Since granite (and other natural stone) is porous, liquid and stains can penetrate the surface.

Painting Countertops

This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.

The stone can be refinished, recut, and made into smaller granite or marble pieces after it's been a countertop in your home.

Yes you can paint granite countertops! I use the term paint kind of loosely. By paint I mean to apply a coating with a paint brush or roller. I highly recommend getting one of the granite countertop paint kits available.

If you get any color transfer, the stone is dyed. These chemicals can be purchased at most home improvement or paint supply stores. Dyes can include homemade blends such as charcoal and linseed oil. Pre-packaged color enhancers are also used to darken granite.

How do you change the color of a countertop? ›

Using paint is a super simple way to cover kitchen countertops, and can produce elegant results. If you're covering laminate, you might want to opt for a specialist paint like Rust-Oleum's Countertop Coating, which is tintable to 12 colors.

If you decide to remove the contact paper before replacing the counters altogether, you can do so without damaging the material underneath. Contact paper can be placed on top of wood, laminate, quartz, and granite countertops without causing any harm as long as you're careful when removing it.

Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly. So briefly putting a hot pan down on your granite countertop isn't going to cause long-term damage. That said, we don't recommend putting hot pans on granite countertops — not for the granite's sake but for yours.

Bleach: While bleach is a great disinfectant, it can dull the finish of your granite and in some cases even change its color. There are other, safer, ways to disinfect your stone, so avoid bleach and any products that contain it when cleaning your granite.

The acids contained in these cleaners will degrade the sealant and can leave unsightly stains on the countertop. That means those Clorox disinfecting wipes (which contain citric acid) that make cleanup so easy are actually quite bad for your granite's seal.