It's a common question with newly installed countertops or newly purchased homes... "Does my ABC color granite countertop needs sealing?".
Many sites state "granite needs sealing" as if "all" granite "must" be sealed, which is completely false. Many granites do not need sealing ever.
The correct way to determine if your specific granite (or any stone) needs sealing is to perform the water test. This is a simple and effective way to learn the rate of absorption of your stone and decide if it needs sealing.
There are over 2500 colors of granite, so in the industry, we do make generalizations to help homeowners get a "general" understanding. Unfortunately, many people misinterpret "general" advice to mean "in every single case" which can lead to problems in some instances.
So, the most accurate and honest answer is "I don't know." You can't simply go by the name or the color of granite. You must test it.
Yes, we know that "generally" lighter granite colors are more porous and darker granite less so. White granites almost always need sealing, however, it's a mistake for anyone to tell you to seal it or not solely based on the color. Since granite is a natural product with a wide range of absorbency / porosity even within the same color group, you can't apply "general" guidelines.
So, the most accurate and honest answer is "I don't know." You can't simply go by the name or the color of granite. You must test it.
Yes, we know that "generally" lighter granite colors are more porous and darker granite less so. White granites almost always need sealing, however, it's a mistake for anyone to tell you to seal it or not solely based on the color. Since granite is a natural product with a wide range of absorbency / porosity even within the same color group, you can't apply "general" guidelines.
When purchasing new granite slabs (or any stone) you should always test with lemon juice (instead of just water) a piece broken off the slab to see both how absorbent it is, and more importantly, if it reacts to acids which is not good for a kitchen countertop. You should do this test regardless of the type or name of the stone. Some granites may have etching issues due to doctoring and sometimes stones are mislabeled so you may think or be told that "this stone will not etch" when in fact it might. So, the actual name or classification of the stone should be ignored. Testing will reveal the true characteristics of that stone.
Also, you never want to apply a sealer to a stone that is not porous enough to absorb it (and thus doesn't need sealing). In such cases, the sealer will leave a dull, streaky haze. Testing will tell you.
If testing shows you should apply a sealer, then using SenGuard Permanent Marble & Granite Sealer or the Stone Care: Impregnating Marble & Granite Sealer (1 QT) is recommended. SenGuard is the most advanced stone sealer on the market. It forms permanent bonds, so you get permanent stain protection with a one-time application. No re-sealing needed.