Granite is a natural stone that is among the most popular materials used for home d'cor. In fact, it is a very hard stone and as far as hardness quotient is concerned it ranks right after the diamond. Different continents including Africa, Asia, America and Europe produce granite in good quantity. Like diamond granite too, has an innate beauty that has achieved a perfect blend with its toughness. So, granite has a history that is old, strength that is extraordinary and beauty that is unsurpassable.
No wonder therefore, that granite has become one of the greatest choices for the home makers to decorate their houses. In fact, the brilliant colors and textures of granite are sure to add beauty to your home. When it comes to granite countertops, the color ranges from white to red, green, black, blues and many other exotic shades. Since it is constructed naturally out of molten rocks, different minerals and other elements have resulted in the variations in color and texture.
However, the innumerable variations of the granite have made it difficult for the buyers to make the right choice. Sometimes, the names can be confusing and it is not possible to pick up the best unless you have a fair idea about the entire thing.
The first step that you should take while buying the granite countertop is to look for options. This is why, it is important to spot a warehouse that has plenty of stocks. This will allow you to have a look at the different types of granites available. However, you should remember that the color of the granite varies from slab to slab. So, unless they have a total slab in store, you are not likely to get similar granite tiles.
It is a good idea to carry a sample of the cabinet with you. So, when a piece of the stone impresses you, you can place the sample on it and see whether it suits the cabinet or not.
In case you are building a new home, the granite countertop should be selected before deciding over the color of the flooring. On the other hand, if you already have a floor, you should bring a sample of that color with you while purchasing the granite countertop. This will make sure that the granite matches with the color of the floor. However, a similar color will not look good; instead the colors should complement each other.
While making the selection, you must ensure that the stone has an appeal that will make others fall in love with it. Sometimes, you will find colors that look good but are not lovable. Remember that you have to live with the stone that you have chosen. So, it is better to avoid such ones.
After making the final selection, you should ask the warehouse to take out couple of slabs and observe them. At this stage, you should ensure that the slabs have the same color. Also, mark out if there is any awkward spot and ask them to exclude the portions while cutting the slabs. You can also visit them during the cutting process.
Cost For Granite Countertops
There are many finishes to choose from when selecting granite slab ? polished, satin, and honed are just a few. Each finish creates a distinct appeal to the face of the granite (that is the surface you see), in terms of appearance, feel and aesthetics to a room. We have provided short summary on these types of finishes for your consideration.
Polished Finish
The natural granite slab is passed through an automated system to prepare the slab for the polishing process. After the pre-stage is completed abrasive, polishing pads, and buffing are applied to the surface of the granite slab to achieve the desired polished or mirrored finish. This mirrored finished gives a full and rich color, accentuating the granite slab's natural character. The polished finish is considered to be the best type of surface finishing for granite, for its appeal, maintenance and durability.
Satin Finish
The satin finish is considered to be the middle of the road; it's not as intense in depth of color and richness, (not as reflective with the light) but not as matted as honed. The pre-stage process is the same; however, the polishing and buffing process is not as intense as the polished finish. The satin finish has its own unique style of appeal, maintenance and durability.
Honed Finish
Honed surface finishing is very different in that the granite slab is processed to a smooth finish, but no buffing is done. This makes for a surface that has no reflection with light. Usually this type of finish is used for flooring and high-traffic areas. However, honed granite slab can be used as for countertops, just, know that the richness of the granite's character and durability is greatly diminished and it is less resistant to water, cooking oils, scratches and the overall kitchen environment.
This article was written by Charlie Thiede, owner of Rock Tops Granite, specializing in creating and installing custom granite and marble countertops. Rock Tops Granite recently celebrated the grand opening of a new store in Maryland Heights, Missouri, in St. Louis County. They service Kirkwood, Wildwood, Eureka and neighboring cities and communities. Visit http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom and learn more about granite kitchen countertops
Both Emi Bos & Rock Tops Granite are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.