Granite Countertops a Popular Kitchen Choice

Granite countertops have been at the meridian of popularity for years now and in great demand for a high-end await with relatively little maintenance. The are substantial, visually stunning and extremely long lasting. Equally with all other countertop materials, they are an investment and you'll want to be sure granite is the correct choice by doing your research and homework.

Stunning granite countertop material for kitchen — This stunning granite countertop is by Natural Granite.

What is Granite?

Granite is a natural, igneous rock composed of quartz, feldspar, micas, and a mixture of boosted trace minerals. Forbes explains they types and amounts of the different minerals are what give granite different colors, textures and patterns. Information technology typically ten to 50% quartz, which is semi-transparent white, and 65 to ninety% feldspar, usually pinkish or white. Generally, natural stone like granite is desirable because it has more grapheme than man-made countertop surfaces. Granite is sourced from effectually the world, including Republic of india, Brazil, Norway, Italy and China. The earth's largest deep-hole dimension granite quarry is near Barre, Vermont.

Stunning granite countertop slab — This slab from Doug Rhodes Granite is an example of the stunning pattern and colors available.

Choosing your granite

Because every piece of granite is unique, you volition want to visit your stone supplier and choose your own slab. Depending on the size of your countertop and how many separate areas you accept, y'all may need more than 1 slab. Information technology'southward best not to rely on samples when it comes to making your granite choice. You can do some preliminary sampling to get an idea of what you might like and what will lucifer your colour scheme best, but make certain to choose the exact slab yourself. This is especially true if you are looking for a particular shade or patterning. Because no 2 slabs are alike, you might end upwardly with something that looks completely different from the sample.

We recommend to visit every supply house in your surface area that sells the type of granite you want and try to negotiate a meliorate price, noting that you can often save about 20 percent.

Aracruz granite countertop slab — Aracruz Granite showed this multi-hued granite slab.

Granite selection for kitchen countertop — A more traditional pick is this countertop from Granite Selection.

8 Advantages of Granite Countertops

Visually Appealing

The shine and substance of granite is incomparable. Even though the granite may only be in your kitchen, it gives the entire house a sleek feeling, according to the Green Garage Weblog. It simply plain looks slap-up. And, although it has been in vogue for a number of years, information technology's not a really trendy surface that will exit of style.

Large variety of colors

Granite is available in a large variety of colors with a large range of patterns and striations. The different mineral contents and source locations impart dandy variations in appearance.

Modern granite countertop style — Granite countertops don't accept to feature large expanses of rock.

Edge treatment options

Stylish edges are an option with granite countertops, from elementary bullnose or beveled edges to more than artistic Ogee or Waterfall versions.

Substance and Durability

Granite is durable, merely not unbreakable, and volition definitely terminal for decades. Unless y'all bang very heavy objects on the countertop or treat it very roughly, information technology will likely concluding longer than you lot will. Nether normal kitchen weather condition, granite volition non chip, dent or crack and volition stand upward to near knives and cooking tools, as well as all of your cooking projects. Totally Granite says you can cut, chop, piece, and dice on a granite countertop without a cutting board. Of course, beware,

Granite countertop for kitchen island — Lighter colors of granite, like this countertop from Granite Selection, can look similar marble.

Non-Porous Surface

Sealed granite is not porous so it is impervious to leaner and germs, making it a very sanitary surface because it won't serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. It also resists stains and liquids.

It can take the heat

Get ahead and plop downwardly that hot pot. Granite countertops can take the heat and will non scorch. The rock is formed through pressure and oestrus, so it is naturally able to hand hot items.

Arch granite countertop for island — Arch City Granite has a cracking example of a traditional granite-topped isle.

Easy to Maintain

Granite countertops don't need a lot of maintenance, peculiarly with regard to cleaning. Periodic sealing is required, particularly for light colored granite.

Valuable Addition

Among all the home improvements you can make, granite countertops are one improver that typically improves dwelling resale value. Any kitchen upgrade will probable boost value, but granite is a definite plus on the bottom line at sale time.

Dark granite countertops — Often, night granite countertops have a colored undertone, similar this one that is actually a night green.

A Few Downsides of Granite

Toll

Granite can be expensive and is amidst the costlier of countertop materials, particularly because of installation. And, its dandy weight ways you lot'll demand very sturdy cabinet boxes to support the countertop, which can be a business organization if yous are remodeling. In some kitchens, a big corporeality of granite might crave extra floor supports too.

It'southward darn hard

What is mainly an advantage for some might also be a slight disadvantage. While a drinking glass or loving cup tin survive a collision with some countertop surfaces, that'southward mostly not the case with granite. Drib a glass or plate on granite and you can be sure that it volition break.

Granite kitchen island countertop with green apple 1

Sealing is required

Like near stone, granite must be sealed every so often to avoid stains. How often you have to seal the counter depend on the type of sealer you lot utilize and the colour of your granite. If y'all have a dark granite top, yous might non demand to seal every bit often because small-scale discoloration is not visible. RemPros also notes that alkaline metal- or acid-based cleaners should not be used for cleaning granite.

Slab granite countertop material for kitchen — Modern granite countertops are often thick and athwart.

Professional Installation Preferred

Installation is tricky with no room for error. Granite slabs can exist hands damaged during installation and cannot be repaired. A damaged slab must be replaced without costs. Also, the base cabinets must be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the granite slab, which is something to seriously consider if you are remodeling.

According to Rempros, granite countertops, in particular, require professional person installation. Cutting the slab, making the sink cutouts, polishing edges and seaming is challenging. The Family unit Handyman says that it's not worth it for a practice-it-yourselfer to invest the time and dollars required for something they volition likely do only once

Granite countertop with built in cooktop — New Kitchen

Concerns Nigh Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms when radium decays into radon, and it is naturally establish in granite. In fact, According to Radon, all natural products, especially rock, minerals, and sand, comprise trace amounts of naturally occurring radioactive minerals that can produce measurable amounts of radiations and sometimes radon gas. The site goes on to say that this includes all concrete products, dirt bricks, most non-plastic plates and dishes, coal and the wing ash produced in coal-fired power plants, natural gas (contains radon), phosphate fertilizers used in your garden.

Corner shaped granite countertop for white kitchen cabinets — Corner granite countertop edges

Past nature, granite has some inherent level of radon, and the question is how high that level might be. Because high levels of radon in the domicile tin truly be a hazard to health, we quote directly: "Subsequently having performed tens of thousands of samples and never finding a granite counter meridian that produces hazardous amounts of radon gas, Air Chek, Inc has decided that it is a disservice to our customers to offer this product. We instead encourage y'all to look for a much more than probable problem; radon in your habitation." After much research and testing, it has been determined that granite edifice materials have a " minimal and acceptable amount of radon."

Double kitichen island kitchen design with white granite — Large white kitchen with 2 kitchen islands

Radon besides cautions against suggestions that you place a radon-in-air test device on a granite surface under a basin, bucket, or other container. This will, 99% of the time, "grossly over-report the radon levels." Forbes magazine too warns consumers virtually "scare-mongering information" that tin exist found online.

Brown and black granite countertop for kitchen

Caring for your granite countertop

Simple soapy h2o is the best for cleaning your granite countertop. From time to time, you may cull to do a deep cleaning if you have been cooking with large amounts of grease or oil. Utilize a heavy-duty stone cleaner that volition degrease the counter and remove surface sealants. Subsequently mixing the cleaner according to directions, allow it to sit on the stone for the recommended amount of fourth dimension, wash with a sponge or soft bristle brush, mop upward the h2o and then dry the surface. Lastly, polish or vitrify the surface.

If y'all become a stain on your granite countertop, blistering soda may be all yous need. The Maid Brigade suggests that you make a paste of baking soda and water for oil-based stains or blistering soda and hydrogen peroxide for water-based stains. Apply the paste on the stain and permit it to sit for several hours, covered. And so, wipe upwardly the paste, and clean the expanse with a warm cloth and a dish soap.

Co-ordinate to TheKitchn, don't use abrasive cleaners and sponges, Windex, acidic liquids like vinegar, lemon, lime, or anything with ammonia or bleach. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time.

How much does granite cost?

Granite has a wide toll range of $45-$400 per foursquare foot per square foot, installed. The great variation is due to variations in the rarity of the stone, its thickness, origin, and any special features. Buyers should ask plenty of questions as to whether price quotes include installation.

Is DIY Really a Bad Idea?

According to the Family Handyman, an ambitious DIY enthusiast can indeed install a granite countertop. If you have straight countertops with no inside corners, or are simply installing an island, it's actually quite an easy DIY project. Merely if cutting and seaming are involved, information technology volition be more than hard. Withal, those who have basic woodworking skills could handle the chore. You take to notice a visitor that provides the granite and will do the virtually of the cutting, shaping and machining of the sink and faucet openings. Doityourselfgranite.com is a sample online source for slabs as well as fabrication work.

Gray granite countertop with backsplash — This gray granite countertop has a matching backsplash.

Yes, it's ane of the costlier choices for a kitchen countertop, merely granite is popular for a reason: Its pros generally outweigh the downsides and information technology volition indeed outlast y'all and your family. But almost of all, it's a stunningly bonny countertop for any style kitchen.

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Source: https://www.homedit.com/granite-countertops/