Granite is one of the hardest, coarse-grained rocks that is often used for construction. For this, granite is famous as a construction stone. Many people use granite for making countertops, sinks, and other ceramic materials in their houses.
But granite has a different texture and color than normal ceramics.
So, you might be interested in whether you can change the color of granite or not. You have to know about the processes available to change the color of rock and ceramic. Moreover, you have to know the results of the processes for changing the color of granite.
Can you change the color of granite?
You can change the color of granite. First of all, you can paint over the granite. Besides, you can also apply a stain to the granite to change its color. Moreover, you can also darker or lighten the existing color of the granite. So, changing the color and modifying granite materials is possible.
Whenever it comes to changing the color of glass and ceramics, we use different types of glass colors. But if you want to change the color of granite, you might get confused. Because granite is a rock material. But it’s possible to change the color of granite.
Let’s see whether you can change the color of the granite countertop, sink, etc., or not.
Countertop/Worktop:
Granite is pretty popular to make a countertop or worktop. Changing the color of granite in the countertop or worktop is also possible. Because granite can be painted or stained.
If you have a specific choice, you can paint the color on your granite countertop or worktop. Besides, you can also apply different types of commercial stains over the countertop to change its color.
Moreover, if you want to darken or lighten the color of the worktop, you can do it with specific primer and commercial materials.
Sink:
Many people also like to use granite to make sinks because granite is a very hard material. So, when you install the sink made of granite, you might not like the actual color of granite. So, changing the color of granite might be essential.
You can also change the color of the sink made of granite. Because many colors stick to the granite surface. But you have to apply the appropriate primer, color, and sealer. Otherwise, the color might not last a long time.
Can you darken/lighten the color of granite countertops? Can you stain granite black?
Yes, you can darken or lighten the color of granite countertops. Generally, granite countertops are popular for their hard surface and durability. But you might not like the actual color or the color might not go with the other decoration of your house.
So, if you wish to darken or light the color of granite countertops, you can do it. For example, if you want to darken the color of granite, you can use commercial materials like Tenax Ager or stone color enhancer.
Besides, if you want to lighten the color of the granite countertop, you can bleach the granite. Though bleach might not work perfectly, it can dull the color of granite.
You can also stain the granite black. Generally, granite is a porous stone material. So, when you apply stain to the granite, the liquid will penetrate well and the stain will be long lasting. Even you can stain granite with different colors including black.
Actual granite has the shade of black, but it might not be perfectly black. So, you can stain black the granite to make it look good.
How do you change the color of granite?
You might know that you can change the color of granite. But changing the color of granite in a proper way will make the color long-lasting and look good. So, let’s see how you can change the color of granite.
Surface cleaning and preparation:
Firstly, you need to clean the granite well. Make sure the surface doesn’t contain dirt, dust, or greasy material. After cleaning the granite surface, you need to prepare it for changing color by painting.
You have to sand the surface to make it rough. Otherwise, the paint will not stick to the surface.
Using a primer:
Then you will have to apply a suitable primer. Primer will make the paint long-lasting and prevent chipping off.
Select paint:
Now, you have to select the right paint to change the color of granite. For example, you can use acrylic paint because it will be good for use on granite. Moreover, choosing the right color that goes well with the other decorations is important.
Painting:
Then you can apply paint to the granite. First, apply one coat of paint. If you want a darker shade, you can apply another coat of paint after drying the first layer. If you get the desired color of the granite, you have to allow the surface to dry well.
Using a sealer:
Finally, you have to apply sealer on the granite. The sealer will seal the paint and protect the paint from damaging or chipping off. Let the granite surface dry completely.
How much does it cost to resurface and change the color of granite?
Generally, it will cost from $40 to $100 per square foot to resurface and change the color of granite. The cost varies with color. If you want to use a color that is close to the actual color of granite, the cost will be less.
But if you change the color of granite to a fully different color, the cost will be more.
For example, if you want to change the color of granite to black, it will cost $40 to $75 per square foot. But if you want to change the color to blue, it will cost up to $100 per square foot.
Moreover, resurfacing the granite will also cost more. If you want to resurface the granite by sanding, painting, sealing, polishing, etc., it can cost up to $1200. So, the total cost will be around $1000 to $1200.
What paint to use on granite? What is the best color for granite countertops?
You can use different types of paint to use on granite including latex, epoxy, acrylic, etc. All these paints will stick to the granite surface for a long time. But acrylic paint will be the best choice to use on granite. Because it will remain durable against heat.
Moreover, this paint will resist water and moisture.
While painting on granite, you can use different colors also. Especially, when you change the color of the granite countertop, you can modify it with different colors. But some specific colors might look good on the granite countertops.
For example, black is one of the best colors for a granite countertop. People like the black color and finish on the granite countertop. Besides, white is also popular as a granite countertop color.
Moreover, Off-white, crisp white, cream, gray, beige, etc., colors will also look good on granite countertop.
Besides, you should choose a color for the granite countertop in such a way to go with the kitchen. For example, if the kitchen cabinet color is white, you can choose a white shade for the granite countertop.
Can heat change the color of granite? What causes granite to change color?
Excessive high heat can change the color of granite. Generally, the color of granite will remain okay up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. But if the granite is exposed to constant high temperature for a long time, it will make the granite soft and cause discoloration.
Some other causes might also be responsible for changing the color of granite. Here is a list of the causes.
High heat:
You might know that high heat can change granite’s color. But it is not compulsory that heat can instantly change the color of granite. If you keep the granite in constant high heat, the granite will discolor gradually.
Water and moisture:
It might sound awkward, but water and moisture can change the color of granite. Though granite is a smooth stone material, it has porous and coarse grain. So, water and moisture will penetrate through the pores and eventually discolor the granite.
UV rays:
If the granite is exposed to Ultra Violet rays for a long period of time, it changes color. The UV rays will be absorbed by the pores of granite and cause discoloration.
Other reasons:
Sometimes, food colors and stains can change the color of granite. For example, the stain of tea, coffee, fruits, etc., will penetrate through the pores of granite and change the color of the specific area.
Final Thoughts
You can change the color of granite by painting, staining, color enhancer, commercial colorants, etc. Generally, latex, acrylic, resin, etc., paints will stick to the granite surface. Moreover, you can also stain the granite with different colors. You have to follow an appropriate process.