 Granite
Countertops: The Natural Beauty
Is Granite Right for You?
Capturing Beauty for a Lower
Price
Maintaining Granite
Granite’s durability and beauty makes it a top choice
for countertops. With a permanent and substantial look, granite countertops
add elegance to any home.
 Granite
countertops have natural strength and come in a variety of colors. However,
choosing granite poses significant challenges.
Although in some cases granite countertops can cost a little more than solid
surface countertops and require some maintenance, they offer unrivaled,
one-of-a-kind beauty to any kitchen.
Granite has existed for thousands of years. Along with marble and natural
stone, granite is formed under the earth at the compression of heat and
fusion. It is an igneous and metamorphic rock which is resistant to extreme
temperature, stress and heat. It is smooth and cool to the touch.
Cost: About $30 to
$200 per square foot.
To view our granite countertop color swatches gallery
click the icon below.
Are Granite Countertops Right for You?
| GRANITE COUNTERTOP PROS | GRANITE COUNTERTOP CONS |
|
Countertop material of choice; a mixture of natural beauty and
elegance. |
Can be expensive depending on the type of stone
and sizes of solid pieces to be installed. |
| Holds up to heat and is
scratch resistant. |
Requires use of a cutting board. |
| Permanent and substantial
look. Very durable. |
Is porous, and without regular sealing, it can
stain. |
| Offered in less expensive
versions. |
Needs to be resealed more often than other
surfaces. |
| Unique; no two granite tops
are exactly the same. |
Granite may crack and could be costly to repair
or replace. |
| Coloration will never change;
it will always remain as bright and vibrant as when first
installed. |
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Capturing Beauty for a Lower Price
On a tight budget? Don’t count granite countertops out yet. There are many
strategies you should consider if you want granite but think you may not be
able to afford it.
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Have granite
installed in square pieces, not as one solid piece. This gives you
the same natural beauty but for a much lower cost than solid stone
while also making repairs easier.
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Granite varies in
quality. Factors such as country of origin, color, veins or
patterns, thickness of slab, amount of soft minerals in the stone,
and current fashion trends can impact prices of granite. If in need
to save money, choose a low-cost type of stone.
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Luna Pearl, a
stone offered by many builders, looks the same from near or far and
under certain lighting conditions, yet is less expensive than other
types of granite.
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Paying attention
to the number of seams and cuts that will have to be made in stone
slabs can help you keep the price to a minimum.
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Ask professionals
about wasted material as you may be charged for it.
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Hire
professionals. Failing to properly set a granite countertop can
create an extremely expensive mistake to fix.
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Maintaining Granite Countertops
Granite countertops do require maintenance. Because it is porous, granite
should be initially sealed and then resealed on a regular basis in order to
repel water and oil based stains.
Although lack of maintenance can make your granite countertops dull, it can
be cleaned and polished by professionals to restore its shine. To clean
granite, use neutral cleaners, stone soaps or mild liquid dishwashing
detergents. It is important to avoid products containing abrasives or
acids. In most cases, if granite is cracked, it will need to be removed and
replaced.
For more information about granite countertops contact Express Countertops.
Call or use the estimate button above to request your free estimate and have
your new granite countertops installed in 1 week - guaranteed!
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