Natural stone · Heat-resistant
Granite
Countertops
Granite is the workhorse natural stone — a 100% natural igneous rock formed from cooled magma, prized for unmatched heat resistance, durability, and value. Available in hundreds of patterns from black-and-gold speckles to dramatic veined slabs in tan, brown, blue, green, and red tones. Sourced through MSI, Cosmos Surfaces, Arizona Tile, Daltile, and Cosentino. Fabricated and installed by Absolute GM from our Kirkland facility for kitchens, outdoor surfaces, and commercial projects across the greater Seattle area.
Granite at a Glance
Granite — the natural-stone workhorse for kitchens
Granite has been the gold standard countertop category nearly four decades ago — combining natural quartz with advanced manufacturing to deliver surfaces that never need sealing and last a lifetime.
Quarried from sites in Brazil, India, China, USA, and South Africa, Granite has grown into one of the world’s most recognized quartz surface brands. Their engineered quartz is made primarily from natural quartz — one of the hardest minerals on earth — combined with pigments and polymer resins under intense vibro-compression and kiln curing. The result is a non-porous, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant surface backed by a lifetime residential warranty.
With 200+ varieties spanning the Black Galaxy, Tan Brown, Verde Bahia, Uba Tuba, Giallo Veneziano, and other classic granite varieties, Granite offers everything from classic black-and-gold speckles to bold blue and green veining to dramatic earthy darks. The ICON collection is their latest innovation — a crystalline silica-free surface made with approximately 85% recycled content. At Absolute GM we fabricate every granite slab in our own Kirkland shop using STONEEX digital templating and CNC equipment — ensuring sub-millimeter accuracy from template to installation.
These are the granite suppliers our clients select most frequently for kitchens, outdoor surfaces, and heat-heavy use.
These are the granite brands our clients select most frequently. Each links to a detailed product page with close-up imagery and pricing. Full catalog in our product library →
Browse the complete granite catalog — Black Galaxy, Tan Brown, Verde Bahia, Uba Tuba, Giallo Veneziano, and ICON collections — with individual product pages, finish options, and installed pricing.
What makes granite different — and what we add
Granite vs. other countertop surfaces
How natural granite compares to engineered quartz, quartzite, marble, and porcelain. All fabricated in-house at Absolute GM. we carry. All are fabricated in-house at Absolute GM with the same quality process.
| Feature | Granite | Engineered Quartz | Quartzite | Marble | Porcelain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | 100% natural igneous stone | 90–94% quartz + resins | 100% natural metamorphic | 100% natural metamorphic | Ceramic clay + minerals |
| Price range | $50–$110 / sq ft | $55–$120 | $95–$200 | $80–$200 | $80–$140 |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6–7 | ~7 | 7–8 | 3–4 (soft) | ~7 |
| Heat resistance | Excellent | Up to ~300°F | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Sealing required | Annual | Never | Annual | Every 6–12 months | Never |
| Stain resistance | Good (when sealed) | Excellent | Good (when sealed) | Poor | Excellent |
| Outdoor/UV use | Yes | Most: indoor only | Yes (with care) | No | Yes |
| Look | Granular, speckled, natural | Engineered (consistent) | Marble-like, dramatic | Classic veining | Engineered (consistent) |
| Best for | Heat-heavy kitchens, outdoor, value | All-around kitchens & baths | Statement kitchens | Vanities, baths | Modern, outdoor |
Estimate your granite project cost
Enter your countertop dimensions for an instant ballpark range. Granite pricing starts at $55/sq ft installed. For a detailed quote with AI photo analysis, use our full quote calculator →
Granite countertops — FAQ
Granite countertops in Seattle range from $50 to $110 per square foot installed. Wide-selection suppliers like MSI and Daltile run $50–$95/sq ft. Premium varieties through Cosmos Surfaces, Arizona Tile, and Cosentino fall in the $65–$110 range. Exotic granites (Blue Bahia, Costa Esmeralda) can go higher. Granite is consistently one of the best-value premium countertop surfaces available.
Yes — granite is a natural stone with some porosity, so annual sealing is recommended. AbsoluteGM seals every granite installation with a 5-year impregnating sealer at no extra cost as part of standard install. Maintenance is straightforward: just reapply periodically with any quality stone sealer (15–20 minutes for an average kitchen). Daily care is mild dish soap and warm water.
Granite is one of the most heat-resistant natural countertop surfaces available. You can place hot pans, pots, and bakeware directly on granite without trivets or risk of damage. This is one of granite’s biggest advantages over engineered quartz (which can be damaged by heat above ~300°F due to resin content). Granite’s heat resistance comes from its volcanic origin — igneous rock formed from cooled magma.
Top sellers at our Kirkland showroom: Black Galaxy (deep black with gold flecks), Tan Brown (warm browns and blacks), Uba Tuba (deep green-black), Verde Bahia (dramatic green veining), Giallo Veneziano (warm gold and beige), Black Pearl (silver-flecked black), and White Ice (sparkling whites). Each slab is unique — we recommend viewing actual slabs at our showroom or supplier yards.
Yes — granite is one of the best natural stones for outdoor use in the PNW. It’s naturally UV-stable (won’t fade), freeze-thaw resistant, and structurally sound for outdoor kitchens, BBQ surrounds, fire pit surrounds, and patio surfaces. For outdoor installs, AbsoluteGM recommends more frequent sealing (twice yearly) due to rain exposure. We’ve installed granite outdoors throughout Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Mercer Island.
Both are great choices but for different reasons. Granite wins on: heat resistance (place hot pans directly), outdoor use, value pricing, natural one-of-a-kind looks. Engineered quartz wins on: maintenance (no sealing), consistent color, stain resistance (no sealing needed), kid-friendly. We help clients choose based on use: granite for heat-heavy kitchens or outdoor projects, quartz for low-maintenance indoor kitchens.
Ready for
granite?
Tell us about your project and we’ll provide a detailed granite quote. We can arrange slab viewings at our Kirkland showroom — so you see the exact slab before we cut.
Get a Free QuoteSchedule a Showroom Visit
Not sure which granite is right? Book a free consultation — we’ll walk you through the Supernatural, Classico, Metropolitan, and ICON collections, show you full slabs, and help you choose the perfect match for your space.
Related pages
Granite countertops in Seattle — fabricated and installed by Absolute GM
Absolute GM is an independent countertop fabricator serving Greater Seattle and Puget Sound from our facility in Kirkland, WA. We fabricate every granite slab in-house using STONEEX digital templating and CNC equipment. Granite is a 100% natural igneous stone formed from cooled magma over millions of years — non-porous, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and backed by a lifetime residential warranty. Their new natural-stone collection is crystalline silica-free with ~85% recycled content.
Granite countertops are available in 200+ varieties across the Black Galaxy, Tan Brown, Verde Bahia, Uba Tuba, Giallo Veneziano, and ICON collections. Popular colors in our showroom include Black Galaxy, Tan Brown, Organic White, Frosty Carrina, Uba Tuba, and Giallo Veneziano. Granite countertops cost $50–$110 per square foot installed, depending on color selection and project complexity. We serve Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Shoreline, Mercer Island, Issaquah, and surrounding areas. Template to installation in 10–14 business days. Contact us for a free granite consultation or to schedule a slab viewing.