One of the crowning touches in a kitchen is the countertops. Granite is by far the most popular choice these days and is available in over 150 colors. Prices vary from around $40 and up per square foot installed. When deciding what granite color is preferred one needs to think about a few things. The most obvious is the color, which can range from black to beautiful shades of green and red. The second thing to consider is the look of the material. Some shades of granite are quite uniform, such as Absolute Black, while others are quite varied and mottled. If one looks at a small sample and thinks that it is perfect, one may be disappointed when the full slab has veins and patches of darker colors. Other items that need to be considered are whether or not an under mounted sink is required, type of edging desired, and the backsplash to accompany the new installation. Another concern is the thickness of the granite slab. 3 cm is the recommended thickness, while 2 cm is more likely to incur fractures and breaks.
Installation usually takes about 1 day, unless the demolition or installation is quite complex. All items in the lower cabinet should be removed to prevent dust and debris from getting in them during the demolition process of the old countertops. Expect a fair amount of dust from the demolition and installation. Also don't expect the old backsplash to be salvageable. Once the granite has been installed the undermount sink will be glued into place and any other items will be dropped in as neccessary. Any seams are then filled with epoxy to conceal them. Now that the granite is in, and the glue has had time to dry, the backsplash needs to be installed as does the sink drains and fixture. If there are cooktops or other appliances, they will need to be installed also. The entire process from the start of installation to finish usually takes approximately a week.
Caring for your granite is pretty simple. Your granite will be installed and sealed so it is ready for use. But you will need to reseal the granite on an annual basis. This is a simple process of just wiping the granite with a liquid sealant available at most hardware stores. While granite is hard, special care needs to be taken not to scratch the surface with hard objects such as diamond rings, tools or knives. People should never walk on top of the countertop or place extremely heavy objects on it. Heat should not be an issue since granite was formed at very high temperatures.
Types Of Granite Countertops
If you have been out shopping for the things you need, you may have noticed that counter tops can be pricey, especially if you have a lot of countertop surfaces in your kitchen.
See What's On Sale
Get to know a local company that specializes in countertops. Communicate your concerns and et them know you are budgeting for a project that you really want to have done. Competing businesses always have sales running. Letting them know you want to buy, but are on a limited budget will help them sort through the sale priced granite and marble and keep you in the loop on what you may be able to afford for your project. A good company should be able to explain all your options and meet your needs.
Be Flexible on Your Selection
If you have something in mind for the exact type of Italian stone or Indian stone you think you need to have in your home, you may need to be flexible on that opinion in order to keep within your budget. There may well be a cheaper Brazilian stone that is just as beautiful but at a better price.
Be Flexible on Your Design
In addition to being flexible on your marble and granite countertops materials, you should also be flexible on your design. While you may have fallen for one particular type of granite edges or granite colors, others that are very similar may be less expensive if you are willing to flex.
Watch for Rip Offs
While you may be looking anywhere for a great deal on your natural stone countertops, you also need to make sure you are getting quality materials. There are plenty of rip-off artists out there that will try to take you for what they can that no one has filed a report on yet. Instead, stick to a reputable, well known company to make sure you really are getting what is best for your home.
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 Florissant, St. Ann, Chesterfield, Fenton and neighboring cities and communities. Visit http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom and learn more about granite kitchen countertops
Both Seoster Seoster1 & 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.
Seoster Seoster1 has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Joel Montfort owns Montfort Designs which is a design and construction company located in Dallas, Tx. He remodels several kitchens every year and is an expert on. Seoster Seoster1's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.
Rock Tops Granite has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kitchen Home Improvement, Debts Loans and Home Improvement. goal is to artfully merge the latest technology and old world stone craftsmanship in creating quality products, professionally installed. At Rock Tops we have a huge selection of full slabs. Many of our cust. Rock Tops Granite's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
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