Is your kitchen ready for a makeover with a new countertop?

Porcelain Tile at Prestige Stone & Tile

Among your many choices are:  granite, quartz, marble, onyx, slate, soapstone, limestone, concrete, laminate, tile, wood, Corian, glass, stainless steel, and copper.

With so many wonderful and diverse choices of material, picking out a kitchen counter is no easy task. Since this surface area is an integral part of your home’s palette and your personal style, it’s important to choose something that looks good to you, will hold up under daily cooking, cleaning and entertaining and has a price tag that suits your budget.

In 2018, the majority of homeowners choose between two, tried-and-true materials: granite and quartz.

In this article, let me answer some of your questions about granite.

The basics: Granite is a natural stone that has been around for thousands of years. Color choices span the rainbow, light to dark, patterns subtle to bold and exotic patterns and colors to match any décor.

Advantages:

  • Granite is tough to beat when it comes to durability due to its density and scratch-resistant
  • Granite is also stain and water resistant when properly sealed.
  • Choosing an exotic slab is like choosing a piece of art.
  • It is a one-of-a-kind, natural surface that has an almost luminous look. Granite adds value to your home.

 

Disadvantages:

  • Granite countertops last forever. If you get tired of the color, you either live with it or rip out the entire counter because you can’t change the color or pattern.
  • Each slab of granite is unique, so it may not be a good choice if you prefer a completely uniform look.
  • Granite can be permanently stained if you seal it with a pre-existing stain.
  • Granite may crack when hit by a hard, sharp object like a meat cleaver.

 

Granite countertop finish options include: polished, honed or leathered.

Maintenance: Limit routine care with warm water and PH neutral soap or cleansers made specifically for granite. You’ll want to seal your slab every year or two with an impregnating water-based sealer made for granite.

  • Befriend your fabricator.This is the most important tip of all. Let their knowledge and experience guide you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions
  • When you find a slab you love, secure the purchase, because that slab is one of a kind.
  • Similarly, ask to view the template and layout process where the fabricator lays out the countertop sections

 

Something else to consider: Counter space is one of the most important elements of your kitchen, so don’t settle for less! Extend your counter by using decorative corbels to create added room.

Look for my next article on countertops in which I will cover quartz.