https://www.houzz.com/discussions/help-my-light-granite-is-turning-dark-dsvw-vd~3773279

What type of granite do you have. That is very common in "builder grade, un-sealed" granite

Viscount white you can see it here those dark ar as were not as dark

This is the island now.

Very disappointing when shopping for granite I stayed away from the pieces with a lot of black and here I am it is getting darker just what I didn’t want.

Its a natural stone, how can it be "builder grade"? There is no such thing as "builder grade" granite LMFAO!!!

I don't see much of a difference. Are you sealing it regularly? Did you use "sealer enhancer"? Enhancer will darken it slightly to bring out the veins.

Well FWIW it's very pretty granite.
The cabinets look darker? If they are natural cherry they will darken as they age. That might cause the granite to look like it has more contrast somehow as there is more contrast between the cabinets and the white areas.

"Its a natural stone, how can it be "builder grade"? There is no such thing as "builder grade" granite" This statement is extremely ignorant. Stone suppliers grade the stone they quarry based on several variables. "Builder grade" is typically the least expensive and is used in commercial projects and budget residential. Unattractive inclusions (warts), color variation from one end of the slab to the other, too light (or dark), and lots of fissures are just a few of the reasons why a particular slab might be assigned a "builder" grade. Regarding your color change; typically darkening is due to moisture which I don't think is your problem. The only suggestion I have is to pick an inconspicuous spot and try cleaning it with Acetone. If it lightens up you'll know the acetone is removing whatever is causing the color change. Good luck.

Its not an ignorant statement at all. Granites are priced by quantity, rarity, and overall ease of fabrication. A "builder grade" means that containers of it can be purchased in large quantities for a very low price due to such high supply. The price point in lower & the stone itself tends to be less in quality.

These stones tend to be put in "tract housing" because the builders can say "look we put in granite" without having to spend a lot because its a high supply item.

" Builder grade" is typically the least expensive and is used in commercial projects and budget residential. "

That is exactly what I mean. Not all stones are made equal. Some of these lower quality granites.

The stone is beautiful and not a "cheap or builder grade" what ever term you want to use.

Are you using an enhancer or ager at all?

It looks wonderful.

Its not like someone is making these stones and they choose to make some more durable than others.... Its nature. Some stones are easily stained, are more prone to natural pits & fissures, while others are more dense (which are not technically granite), stain resistant, and smoother to the touch.

The ones that are readily available at your local big box hardware store tend to be shipped over by the containers and are obviously cheaper to supply. Do you think you are going to find Blue Bahia at your local Home Depot? No. You are going to find New Caledonia, White Caledonia, White Ornamental, and others that are easily stain-able & covered in rust spots.

BUTTTTTT

Now that the OP has posted photos of his stone its clear that - that is not his problem.

If you mean "builder grade" as far as availability, thickness, and origin, then ok. But It has nothing to do with the actual "quality" of the stone. Just google it:

"The Difference Between Builder & Standard Grade Granite. Granite is the most popular choice for homeowners when it comes to countertops. ... Yes, availability, thickness, and origin all play a part in pricing but as far as actual quality, different grades of granite slabs are pretty much the same. "

I knew this before I googled it, like in my post above. But there you go.

Granite Slabs ARE NOT all equal

I actually went to MSi to pick this out

Its gorgeous. It also goes by Silver Cloud.

What do you use to seal it?

I think it got better with age. More depth and personality.

I am a fabricator. No fabricator on the planet would agree with this statement. "but as far as actual quality, different grades of granite slabs are pretty much the same. " Builder grade can mean a stone that is inexpensive because there are mountains of it that quarry very efficiently with significantly lower waste than is typical. The waste in quarrying operations is often over 50%. The quarry drills it holes and blasts and they get a pile of rubble instead of the nice block that can be sawn into slabs. Some granites, however, have a quarry yield as high as 80%. This makes the stone much cheaper. However, in a given quarry there can be variations in the material that make the stone from some areas of the quarry significantly more attractive than others. Slab suppliers grade this material. I have been to Brazil to buy stone and the reasons for variation in grades are obvious when looking at slabs. The difference in grades is important to fabricators because in addition to the cosmetic differences some of the issues resulting in a lower grade affect the ease with which the stone can be fabricated. Cosmetic warts, which are a prime reason for a low grade, can be worked around by the fabricator but the need to work around reduces the yield from the slabs.

Huh, interesting. I have the same granite and mine doesn't appear to be any darker to my eye. I just took a photo to compare the difference from the day it was installed and I don't see any darkening. Left is day 1, right is almost exactly 3 years later. There is a color temperature difference in the lighting in these 2 pictures that has an impact on perception. I'm a lighting designer so I know how dramatically color temperature can alter the appearance of an object.

And for those arguing about "builder grade", Viscont white fell in the middle of the price range of the granite prices at most of the yards we visited.

That could be true need to take a picture during the day the 3 yr pic was at night. And yes I argue the builder grade theory too. It is not builder grade. Was told middle also. We custom built our home and went out to at least four granite yards to see granite. What do you use to clean. I have never sealed its gain. I come from Europe where granite is popular in kitchen and I don’t think they seal their granite constantly my mom and others live there has granite and has never sealed it. Just wipes down.

Scoutfinch72 what do you have for cabinet and backsplash

I think there's a misunderstanding. When I was looking for marble tile to install 650sqft I also found out there is different grades. I was looking at crema marfil. A low grade had heavy (ugly) veining and when you looked at the back of the tile there was a ton of pits or craters (holes). The premium grade I got was completely solid front to back. So yes a stone can be graded this way. Just like oak flooring, a low grade has many knots in it. but this doesn't mean the oak will stain easier.

So my main point is, a lower grade stone doesn't make it more prone to getting darker or staining. Are there granites or marbles that stain easier? Yes but it has nothing to do with it being builder grade. I've seen rare expensive stones stain easy, it doesn't mean their "builder grade"

Your stone is NOT BUILDER GRADE. I asked what stone it was because i did not see were you said it in the OP. It is common in builder grade but since you do not have that , then it does not apply to you.

(yes i see it now. Sorry, I am a mom who is always sleep deprived)

a lower grade stone doesn't make it more prone to getting darker or staining. Are there granites or marbles that stain easier?

Yes Marbles will stain easier, but that is their nature and has nothing to do with this conversation.

You are going to find New Caledonia, White Caledonia, White Ornamental, and others that are easily stain-able & covered in rust spots.

These are considered a "lower grade" and do stain easier.

What I meant was some granite's will stain easier than others. Same with marble. It has nothing to do with what grade it is.

Again, no there is no such thing as builder grade granite - natural stone is natural stone. Some will be on a different scale system based on aesthetic preferences, damages, and where they're getting the stone from - but no such thing as a better or worse quality granite slab. DO NOT USE ACETONE on natural stone, especially on a polished surface! Terrible suggestion. What it really sounds like is that they did not seal the stone properly (or at all) when they installed it. Get a professional out who can polish it down a bit and seal it right. It is recommended to seal granite once installed and again every 2-5 years.

There is builder grade granite. But, it is considered "builder grade" based on pricing alone. But, it is a lower price because of the state of the granite itself. The less expensive granite is based on color, density, as well as a few other factors. There are granites that are better than others when it comes to quality. Not all granites are formed the same way. They are forged from all over the world. India, Brazil, USA....granites pulled in Texas are not even close in composition to granites from India. Some granites are not as dense and therefore can be damaged easier. It is not only recommended to seal granite BEFORE it is installed (which is usually done by the distributor or fabricator) but also as the granite needs it. There is a water test that you can perform to see if your granite needs to be sealed. If the water is absorbed, that means that other liquids can absorb and stain, so sealing is needed. There are different types of sealant, so you will need an impregnator sealant to prevent absorption into the granite. Some granites are denser than others....some you have to seal every six months, some you seal once every ten years. Every granite is different. Go to your local fabricator and they can show you what I am talking about. Marble is never advised to be in a kitchen. Marble is soft and will scratch and etch very easily. It is recommended for less trafficked areas, such as bathrooms, laundry, etc. Marble also needs to be sealed the same as granite.

You can call your local fabricator to come seal your granite, but it is something that you can do yourself. As I said before, you need an impregnator sealant that you can buy at your local hardware or DIY store. (Lowe's, Home Depot, Menard's, etc..) You rub it on, let it set for 20-30 minutes, then wipe off. Perform the water test. If it absorbs, do it again. If it doesn't, you are good for a while. Ask your fabricator what they suggest as a time frame for sealing....they will know best since they are cutting into the stone and see the density.

Just took this pic with no lights still looks darker.

That is Viscon White, highly desirable, and very beautiful. If I walked into your home and saw this counter^^^, I would be open-mouthed at its beauty. I wouldn't know if it were lighter or darker than before. Regardless, it's gorgeous. The pic of your slab upthread is first of all, looking at it vertically, a crucial difference in how it appears to the eye; and second of all, in completely different light.

deoliveira I could have sworn that I answered this already, but I guess not! First, I love your cabinets with the counters, even if they have darkened. The cherry is just lovely!

I have simple white Shaker cabinets and a grey glass subway backsplash. I never use dishwashing soap on my counters. I use a wet microfiber cloth if I'm just wiping up crumbs. For cleaning I use a microfiber cloth and Sprayway glass cleaner. It cleans well and doesn't leave streaks. I use it on my stainless steel appliances and windows as well. Here is my kitchen, complete with the old fridge I still haven't replaced 3 years after the reno!

Your island granite looks like a piece of art -- just beautiful.

I think it is misleading to state that lower level granites stain more easily. Yes there are different levels of granite but they are not graded based on how prone they are to staining. For instance Uba Tuba is one of the lower level granites. It is very durable and not prone to staining.

Vimmarks - I agree with you 100%. Whoever said that doesn't understand stone pricing. It is based on supply and demand. When there is less available of a currently desirable type of stone, the price is higher. Some of the granites that were popular 15 years ago or so are less desirable now, because they are not a new look, and so their price is lower. Many of those granites are quite bulletproof. If anyone would think that stone prices depend upon how prone they are to staining, how would they explain Calacutta marble, priced so high to take your breath away, but etches and stains like nobody's business.

I understand stone pricing 100% since that's my job...

Stones are not priced based on their stain rating, HOWEVER, "New Caledonia, White Caledonia, White Ornamental, and others that are easily stain-able & covered in rust spots." are lower on the spectrum and stain easily.

Many lower priced granite have a lower stain rating. Yes, Uba Tuba & Verde Butterfly are lower end granite & yes they have a better stain rating.. but they are not the only lower end granite options.

Also, OP can you please comment on if you have ever put sealer, enhancer, or other cleaners on this stone that could of altered the color?