To give your granite countertops a longer, more beautiful life, applying a sealer can help extend the beauty of your countertops and help keep them resistant to scratches and scuffs. Although most granite countertops are fine on their own, applying a sealer will give your stone work a healthier appearance and prevent you from replacing your countertops prematurely.

Does granite need a sealer?

Granite is a porous surface, and while most granite countertops can be fine without a sealer, you need to consider what type of granite you have to know if your countertops need sealing or not. Black granite countertops do not require a sealer, while other granites may need a good sealer, just as a precaution and to help maintain its beauty. In fact, some denser granites react poorly to sealers and become dull and drab with the application of the sealer. If you have granite that requires a sealer, an impregnating sealer will work best for you.

Impregnating sealants are the most common sealants available. This clear liquid can help seal in the porous nature of granite and prevent your countertop from staining as quickly as an unsealed countertop would. An impregnating sealant is a solution of a resin that dissolves in a solvent, either oil or water. This solution is applied to countertops and is absorbed by the stone. What remains is simply wiped away and the absorbed solution then evaporates, leaving the resin to seal the pores, making the countertop non-porous and less likely to stain. This process also makes the granite less susceptible to scratches and can extend the life of your countertop.

However, it should be noted that even with a sealer, granite countertops are not immune to moisture and scratch problems. Impregnating sealer simply reduces the likelihood of stains and scratches, but there is still a small chance that they will occur. When a liquid, such as water or coffee, is allowed to remain on the stone, it can stain or etch the surface, dullening the granite. Reapplication of the sealer may remove or diminish the appearance of the stain or etching.

Most granite sealers will work similarly to the impregnating sealer, with the difference that they are water-based or oil-based. The type of sealer you use when applying will be determined by the type of granite you choose, if a sealer is needed at all. It’s best to talk to your countertop installer about what type of sealer they suggest. They can even apply it for you and give you instructions on how often to reapply.