The survey of 1,588 homeowners, conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Marble Institute of America (MIA) found that 75% of homeowners who intend to remodel their kitchens in the next two years indicated they want granite countertops and 76% of  homeowners agreed with the statement "nothing beats the beauty and value of granite countertops."

"The survey shows what our customers tell us: no matter what the economy looks like, homeowners recognize that granite countertops enhance the value of their homes," said MIA member, G.K. Naquin of Stone Interiors in Loxley, AL, whose company sells granite and other countertops. "Consumers who are remodeling their kitchens see granite countertops as a safe investment in their homes. They prefer this natural stone to other materials because they understand it pays for itself in terms of higher resale value."

When asked to rate which countertop material most enhances the value of their homes, homeowners favored granite by more than a three-to-one margin over the second choice: solid surface materials, such as Corian®.  By overwhelming margins, homeowners agreed with the following statements about the natural stone:

• 93%  said granite countertops are beautiful

• 91% said granite countertops are durable

• 89% said granite countertops are safe

A recent scientific study, conducted by Environmental Health & Engineering Inc. (EH&E), an independent laboratory, definitively shows that granite countertops are an insignificant source of radon in the home and that 99.95% of countertops produce lower radon concentrations than are typically found outdoors in the U.S. The study also concluded that in normal applications there is no risk granite countertops will produce radon concentrations even close to levels the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says require remediation (4 picocuries/liter).

Dr. Joseph Allen, head of EH&E stated that the study's statistical model predicts there is only a one-in-a-million chance of a granite countertop producing radon concentrations in the home that approached the EPA action level and that case would require 13% of the home's surface to be covered with granite countertop material.

"Natural stone like granite has been used in homes for thousands of years and now that new technology has reduced the cost of producing and shipping it around the world, more homeowners are embracing the beauty, durability and safety of granite countertops," said Gary Distelhorst, CEO of the MIA. 

The study also showed consistent support for granite across regions of the country. Homeowners with college degrees and higher incomes voiced slightly higher preference for granite countertops.  Homeowners with households of five people or larger were especially supportive of granite. 

This is the second national consumer survey to show consumers prefer granite. A 2008 study showed 55% of consumers wanted granite countertops in their dream kitchens. That survey was conducted via Harris' QuickQuery^SM online omnibus service between October 7 to 9, 2008 of 2,021 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older. Furthermore, the MIA is offering a feature article on the results to newspapers and magazines across America, through the North American Precis Syndicate (NAPS), and expects the information to be exposed to over 75 million readers in the coming months.

Methodology

The new homeowner survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Marble Institute of America from January 5 to 9, 2012 among 2,541 adults ages 18 and older, 1,588 of which were homeowners. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Garen Distelhorst at gpdistelhorst@marble-institute.com.