Custom granite countertops are expensive. The price per square foot of granite can range anywhere from $ 60 to $ 120 depending on the color of the granite slabs as well as the purity of the stone. Sometimes, the price could include the cost of installing granite countertops while at other times the cost could be only for of the stone.
The pricey nature of granite is because of the work involved in quarrying the stone and the transporting it from place to place. Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. It is usually medium to coarsely crystalline, although sometimes granite slabs can also occur as larger individual crystals.
This does not mean that homeowners can not get granite slabs for cheaper. There are several wholesale dealers as well as discount stores that sell granite for even $ 30 a square foot. However, these slabs may be lower grades of the granite and could have some flaws in them.
Kitchen countertop fabrication is also available with granite slabs. This usually implies that the granite is cut into thinner slabs and than fabricated for countertops. The thinner sections of granite slabs are usually two inches in thickness instead of the regular industry standard of three inch thickness.
Pre fabricated kitchen countertops are less expensive than regular granite countertops as less waste is being shipped to the supplier. In addition, as the fabrication is usually done in countries with much lower wages, granite counter top pricing is less.
Granite suppliers usually group the granite slabs into four tiers. The first tier consists of premium products that cost the most. These granite slabs are usually of unique colors and have very little or no veins on spots on them. Some granite slabs exhibit ""movement"", or a distinctive pattern within the color. The combination of color and movement also affect the final price of granite countertops.
Granite from lower tiers has the same appeal and beauty as the high grade granite slabs. This tier of granite is usually called the ?commercial grade?. This grade of granite is very useful for making cultured granite slabs.
Typically the commercial grades of granite slabs have a large number of ?pits? that have to be been filled. There fore they require the use of more sealants to protect the surface of the granite.
Price Of Granite Countertops
Are you considering a new granite countertop for your kitchen or bathroom? Here is a fun fact about granite; your brand new countertop will be fabricated from a product that is millions of years old. In fact, the newest piece of granite on the planet is 750 million years old! Granite is a natural stone product that cannot be duplicated by man.
Granite is a gorgeous natural stone product that is a popular material used for countertops and floor tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Granite has surpassed marble in popularity because is it even more durable and easier to care for. Granite is unmatched by synthetic products for its strength and durability, tolerance to temperature changes and resistance to stains and scratches.
Granite is a naturally formed stone that is quarried from deep in the earth, harvested, cut, polished, sealed and installed in homes to add beauty, elegance and style. Because it is a natural product, no two slabs are exactly alike. Granite is available in many colors from the various minerals that are found in the rock. Since it comes from all over the world, different regions and environmental factors make it unique.
Granite is mainly made up of quartz crystal, but it also contains various amounts of other metals including feldspar, mica, copper and iron. Some granite may contain bits of gold or silver. The amount of each metal depends on the region it comes from. All granite is formed into a hard stone by heat and pressure. Rain adds other minerals as it is forming. It is available all over the world, in every country, and each region will produce a unique variety of granite.
Granite is a completely natural product that cannot be synthetically duplicated. It is very durable and when it becomes a part of your home, you will find that it does not have to be replaced every few years like some synthetic products. It does require some care if it is to last a lifetime.
Granite is stain resistant, but not stain-proof. For optimal resistance, a highly durable seal coating is applied before it is installed in your home. Granite can be porous, so it should be sealed every year. It is also a good idea to wipe all spills right away so that strong chemicals and abrasives are not necessary to clean up messes, as they will damage the seal coating. Dry the countertop with a lint free cloth to reduce water spotting.
Granite is scratch resistant, so it will not show wear and tear like other synthetic products. This doesn't mean your cutting board is obsolete. There is a seal coat on the granite that can be scratched or damaged and allow chemicals to soak in and stain the product.
Granite is heat resistant, but again, the seal coating can be damaged by a hot pan, so be careful. The stress caused by hot objects can cause discoloration over time.
A granite countertop is very durable, but it is also beautiful and elegant, so treat it like you would anything of great beauty. With over 250 varieties of colors and textures, you can be sure your countertop is unique and no one else has one exactly like it. Granite is the most durable, heat, scratch and stain resistant surface you can get, so go ahead and use it for its intended purpose but care for it properly and it will maintain its original, natural beauty for a lifetime.
This article was written by Charlie Thiede, owner of Rock Tops Granite, the leading granite and marble countertop fabricators in the US. Rock Tops technology sets them apart from other companies. With computer numerically controlled stone processing equipment, they get a perfectly cut and polished edge on every countertop. Artfully merging the latest technology with old world stone craftsmanship, Rock Tops are the experts at creating quality granite and marble countertops which they professionally install. Visit their website at http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom and learn more.
Both Grojan Fabiola & 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.
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