Granite and granite alternatives are highly popular materials for use around the home. Whether it’s in the bathroom, kitchen or fireplace, granite can be used to great effect in many applications.
While its hardiness and durability as a natural stone are important advantages when considering what material to use in your countertop, granite also offers a unique crystalline aesthetic.
However, natural stone is not by any means the cheapest material on the market. While you certainly get your money’s worth in its long term return on investment, there are cheaper substitutes that offer some, if not all, of the benefits of granite.
To help you, we’ll break down the various granite look alike materials and cheap granite alternatives to help you find the very best material for your particular project.
- Solid Surface
Solid surface is a man-made construction material that is often used for kitchen or bathroom countertop installations. Made from a combination of a number of resins and pigments, such as alumni trihydrate, acrylic, epoxy and polyester, it comes in a variety of colours, designs and aesthetics. If you’re looking for a granite substitute but still want to achieve a unique visual depth, suitable solid surface options can be found.
Apart from being a cheap granite alternative on the aesthetic front, solid surface is also commonly chosen because it allows for a seamless-looking countertop. If you’re a fan of the single-slab design of using natural stone, such as granite, solid surface can help you achieve a similar effect.
- Stainless Steel
While once this material was relegated to the confines of industrial kitchens, the use of stainless steel countertops in particular is becoming a more common, popular and chic option in the home as well.
Stainless steel is very practical as it is hygienic and easy to clean. Not to mention that its non-porous nature means it’s useful for areas such as the kitchen’s benchtop or splashback.
While it is a practical granite alternative, stainless steel certainly looks quite different and will add a distinct feel to your kitchen compared to granite stone itself.
- Concrete
Concrete floors and benchtops are also becoming more and more popular. In many ways this granite substitute is more similar than it is different. Afterall, concrete is a durable and long-lasting material provided it gets simple ongoing maintenance and resealing as needed. Plus, there’s a surprisingly wide range of styles available when it comes to concrete, so it’s easier to find an option that’s closest to a granite look alike.
Concrete is also a relatively cheap alternative to granite, so if you’re operating under a tight budget it’s definitely worth considering.
- Laminate
Laminate is another man-made synthetic product that can be used as a granite substitute. Composed of various materials including resin, laminate comes in as wide a range of styles, colours and aesthetics as you can imagine. Often used for flooring, the benefit of laminate is that it can really emulate the visual quality of granite.
Good quality laminate can be strong and durable, while still being a far cheaper option for many applications. If you’re after the aesthetics of granite without the expense, laminate is certainly a good option for you.
- Wood
Classic, versatile and affordable, wood is a good granite alternative whether in your home kitchen or bathroom. While you’re certainly going to find it harder to match any type of wood or timber to granite visually, there are many benefits to this construction material.
Comparatively cheap, wood is also one of the more simple granite substitutes to repair if it gets damaged, scratched or stained. This allows you to enjoy a long lasting and still relatively inexpensive choice of material.
- Other Natural Stones
If you love the thought of natural stone there are other popular and practical options to granite.
Marble, for example, can be used throughout the home and across a wide variety of applications. Gorgeous in aesthetic, this classic stone oozes sophistication without compromising durability or practicality. With simple maintenance and professional sealing, marble countertops, flooring, staircases or bathroom vanities will add a stunning quality to just about any home.
- Quartzite
Quartzite is one of the newer innovations of stone in the home environment. Nonetheless, this increasingly popular material is durable, high quality and available in a very wide range of colours.
Unlike natural stone, you don’t need to seal and reseal quartzite. It remains abrasion resistance, chemical resistant and fire resistant from the day it’s installed until long into the future.
- Engineered Stone
Engineered stone, often referred to as quartz, is an artificially made material that emulates many of the aesthetic and practical properties of natural stone. Made of resin and quartz, among other things, this granite alternative can be produced in a wide variety of styles so you can find one that looks similar to your choice of granite.
While still a relatively pricier option compared to laminate or even wood, engineered stone is certainly a cheaper alternative to granite and other natural stones.
Let’s Find the Right Granite Alternative For You
If you need some assistance finding the right granite substitute and are unsure exactly which option is right for your application, contact our friendly team here at Euro Marble on (02) 8585 2999.
We may be specialists in all things natural stone, but we’re more than happy to help you find the perfect solution for your new kitchen countertop, bathroom vanity, fireplace, or flooring no matter what material you’re looking for!
