Shopping tips for Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are the hot new thing, and why not? They look great, are durable, and can withstand all kinds of abuse making them a great investment. Granite countertops are not just something you should consider for your kitchen counters. The great thing about granite is that it can be used anywhere you need a countertop surface, whether the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or any other place you want counter space. Besides the fact that granite countertops are great, here are five of the top things you should consider when shopping for granite countertops:
Granite Counter top Color
Number one: Remember that it is a natural piece of stone, thus, your look will not be entirely uniform, and since no two pieces of granite are identical, adjoining pieces should come from the same source. If you think that a non-matching piece is going to bother you, or a future potential buyer of your home, consider a granite with a lot of variation in patter to begin with, then the pieces will go together better.
Granite counter top care
Number two: Granite, if properly taken care of, is virtually the most durable countertop you can but, but don't just assume your countertop is indestructible. As you shop take precautions, meaning, as you shop find out from the supplier what they recommend to keep your countertop in the best shape possible. For example, although granite is practically nonporous and therefore resistant to staining, acids such as lemon or orange juice will mark it if they sit for long periods of time.
Cooking oils will also penetrate it. Thus, granite should be sealed once or twice a year with a product containing fluoropolymers to prevent stains. Find out what product your supplier recommends. This is not difficult to do, and will ensure that your purchase of granite (which is not cheap) will last and be a good one.
Number three: It is important to note that most granite countertops are highly polished. Thus, if you choose a granite countertop that contains dark colors, it will show finger prints and water spotting. If this is going to bug you, consider ordering your countertops in a matte finish. Or, plan to spend a lot of time scrubbing and polishing your counter. Although, the nice thing about darker countertops is they hide a lot as well.
Number four: Granite is a stone, and granite countertops are heavy. Make sure the cabinets you are installing can hold their weight, otherwise you are in for some trouble. Cabinets can be expensive enough as it is, so buying them twice is not a fun idea. Granite slabs are usually installed by gluing them to the tops of the cabinets with silicone or epoxy or by securing them to a plywood substrate. Pick cabinets that work with the granite, if you are not sure about the cabinets you chose, ask a knowledgeable sales person.
Granite tile counter top
Number five: Granite is certainly the new big thing, and buying it for your home will be worth it because it will increase the resale value, and the appeal of your home, but if an entire kitchen of granite countertops is beyond your budget, consider granite for only part of the room or installing less expensive granite tiles.
Now that you know what to look for, and what to recognize before you purchase your granite countertops, you can enjoy the experience of shopping for, having them installed, and using your beautiful, classy, and highly durable countertops. You are going to love having them as you will never again have to worry about pulling out that hot pad to place the pan you just pulled off the stove on. Instead, you can set it right on the counter and not think, "Oh great, I just ruined this major investment I made." So, shop wisely, and enjoy!
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