... And I've never understood the hype around granite countertops. In my opinion, they look so 90s and above all, they are simply freezing cold. In industry, every workplace where a worker stands directly at a metal/stone table has to be covered with a wooden board so that they are not constantly exposed to cold contact (more precisely, heat dissipation through the metal). And at home, people pay a lot of money to have exactly that... pretty crazy.
1: I wouldn’t exactly call it a "hype." There are more and more alternatives and particle boards are getting better and better...
2: I don’t believe a simple, dark countertop can go out of style. And if it does – 30 years later it’s back in! Real "beautiful" stone is often too expensive anyway.
3: I also wouldn’t want stone at the dining table. I sometimes rest various limbs on it. But I hardly come into contact with my countertop. Why should I get cold there? So – I have one and absolutely cannot understand this point.
And in the end, stone has a few clear advantages: flush installation of the cooktop and sink (or even the sink made directly from stone!). Also scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, easy to clean.
For me, this led to accepting the disadvantages and choosing granite. The disadvantages are clearly the price, limitations due to weight, and lengthy installation and removal.
For me personally, it was also important that the slab was not polished. That further increases heat resistance and reduces susceptibility to dirt/streak formation.
I fully agree with "to each their own" nonetheless!