Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the most popular materials used for kitchen countertops today. It takes millions of years for granite to be formed under the earth’s surface, so when you harness this extraordinary material for your countertops you are getting something that will last you virtually forever. It’s a tough and extremely durable material which makes it a perfect choice for the countertops in your home.

Granite countertops can easily transform a plain countertop into something absolutely beautiful and elegant. There are thousands of colors to choose from with granite countertops so you should have no issues finding the perfect color for your project. They also have qualities which make them more resistant to heat, blistering, scratching and chipping.

Granite countertops typically come in two different styles, tiled or solid. Solid granite countertops are very heavy and can be tough to install as a do-it-yourself project, so unless you have a great deal of experience in this field you should typically get professional installers to help you with the granite countertops installation. Granite tiles are fairly easy to install by yourself because they are lighter-weight and easier to handle.

Steps to Choosing your Granite Countertop

Deciding on which granite countertop style and color you want can be a daunting task which is why it’s good to understand everything you can about what options you have before ultimately making your decision. Since granite countertops are built to last forever unlike formica or laminate countertops that will show wear and tear after only a few short years, you should really spend time beforehand making sure you pick out exactly what you want.

Granite countertops come in an array of colors and textures. What’s popular today, might not be popular tomorrow, so you should pick the granite countertops color and visual texture that works for you and not just because it’s popular at the time. Some of the tried and true granite countertops colors are dark browns, reds, silvers, golds and yellows.

Here is an example of common color, Baltic Brown in its raw granite slab state, before it has been cut or modified for a kitchen or bathroom countertop:

It’s very important when picking out your granite that you find out as much as you can about it’s physical properties such as strength, abrasion resistance and hardness. Wherever you are buying the countertop from should be able to give you the details about the granite and the qualities it possesses. You can refer to the American Society for Testing and Materials for its exact ratings and qualities if you have any major concerns about the granite style and color you are purchasing.

If you are buying imported granite it might be named something different than if you were to purchase it locally. This can make it confusing when you are comparing granite countertops costs with another dealer, because even though they have the same granite, they might refer to it by a different name. One way to solve this issue is to get online to lookup the name you have, and see if there is a list of other names that specific granite might be referred by. This is also an excellent way of finding discount granite countertops, which will help you cut your costs on the entire project.

There are some interior decorators and builders that recommend getting granite that has been “honed” or that has a flat-finish. While these do have some immediate benefits, they will often show more blemishes such as scrapes and fingerprints more easily. It also can wear down over time which can give the granite an uneven and blotchy appearance. As long as you buy high quality granite countertops from a reputable dealer you should have no problems with leaving it how it’s installed without doing any extra work to it.

Pros and cons to granite countertops

Granite has proven itself to be one of the highest quality and beautiful countertops that you can choose for your home, but just like any new addition to your home, the benefits and drawbacks should be examined fully before you make your final decision. The more knowledge you have regarding granite countertops, the more informed of a decision you will be able to make.

Benefits to granite countertops:

• Stunning and elegant in appearance. Which is why they are one of the most popular choices today.

• Endless choices. With so many colors, textures and designs to choose from, your choices are seemingly endless.

• Supreme durability. The durability found in granite countertops is unmatched

• Resistance. Highly resistant to water and spills

Drawbacks to granite countertops:

• High cost. The main reason that people ultimately decide not to go with granite countertops is because of the cost. They are considerably more expensive than formica, concrete or corian countertops.

• Difficulty in installing. Solid granite countertops are notoriously difficult to install because of the massive weight and size.

• Sealing requirements. Granite countertops usually need to be sealed to prevent staining.

Granite Countertop Care

After you’ve picked out, purchased and installed your granite countertops the next step is to understand the basics of granite countertops maintenance. Here are some of the most important things you can do to ensure your granite countertops last you as long as possible and remain looking as beautiful as the day you installed them.

Use A Sealant.

After installation most granite countertop owners will apply a solvent-based sealant to protect them from everyday wear and to help them looking new, longer. While this doesn’t protect the granite from stains, it does give you more time to clean them up without the spill leaving any lasting effects.

Clean Up Any Spills Immediately.

While it’s inevitable that accidents will happen, it’s important that as soon as something is spilled that it is cleaned up properly, completely and quickly as possible. Some spills can do more damage than others, specifically those that are high in acidic properties such as orange juice, soda and alcohol.

Stay Away From Harsh Cleaning Products.

There are many cleaning products that are simply too strong for their own good. Many include high quantities and levels of acids and other chemicals which can cause potential damage to your countertops. It’s typically better to use a very mild soap and cloth to clean your granite, or to request the proper cleaning product from the countertop manufacturers.

It’s important to note that in 2008, there was an incident where someone found traces of radon in their granite countertop. Radon is a toxic gas found below the earth’s surface which has be linked to lung, and other forms of cancer. While it’s highly improbable that any granite countertop you purchase will run this risk, you can still request that your countertops be tested for radon before you buy them. The Marble Institute of America has established testing procedures to make sure that all granite sold from here on out is completely radon-free so that this doesn’t happen again.

Granite countertops, while being more expensive than other choices, are still one of the best decisions you can make for the long-lasting and beautiful look your home needs. With so many colors, textures and styles to choose from, you will have no trouble finding the perfect match, and with a little knowledge and care your granite countertops can last you a lifetime.