Granite Countertops
Beautiful, Durable and Long-Lasting Granite Countertops
In recent times, there are many innovative countertop materials that were developed by countertop manufacturers.
These manufacturers have applied modern technology in their manufacturing processes and have created alternative
products that are worthy substitutes to traditional organic materials.
Even then, homeowners who are conventionally minded still prefer to use countertops made of natural materials.
For instance, they still stick to granite countertops - no matter what new product is introduced in the market.
Granite has long been accepted as a premier material in the countertop industry. This apparent loyalty to granite
is perfectly understandable because of the stone’s extraordinary qualities.
The Reason Why Granite Is Preferred By Many
Granite is an igneous rock that is found within
the earth’s crust at a depth of 1.5 to 50 kilometers. It is formed from magma and is composed of at least 20%
quartz. This rock is massive, hard and very tough. It has an average density ranging from 2.65 to 2.75 grams per
cubic centimeter. This enormous compressive strength gives granite the capacity to withstand huge weights. Not only
that, because of its compacted structure, it is also very resistant to high temperatures. But what makes granite
really attractive to people is its beautiful colors. Granite has a wide gamut of stunning colors and vein patterns.
The various mineral contents of granite are responsible for its gorgeous colors and dynamic vein movements.
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The Cost Of Granite Countertops
It is always true that you cannot
get quality at a cheap price. There are many things that need to be done before a granite
countertop is delivered at your doorsteps. The stone has to be mined at far away quarries, then
they have to be shipped to manufacturing facilities where they are cut, shaped and polished using
special machineries and tools. After the finishing process, they are delivered to marketing outlets
where they are displayed and sold. From mining to processing and finally marketing - all of these
steps costs a lot of money. That’s why the price of granite is rather expensive. One square foot of
granite will run to about $60 to $120. If the color and strength of the stone is really
exceptional, the price may even go higher. |
Alternative Granite Forms
If you really want granite but you just can’t afford its expensive
price, don’t fret, because there are alternative ways you can get granite countertops at more affordable prices.
Here are your options:
• Prefab granite – as the word implies, these are
prefabricated granite, made of real granite stone and are available in smaller pieces. There are two sizes of this
type of granite. One is 26 inches by 98 inches and the other is 42 inches by 98 inches. Compared to a granite slab,
your cost of building granite countertops can go down to as much as 50% if you use prefab granite. You can use the
smaller size for building kitchen countertops and the bigger size for large kitchen islands.
• Granite Tiles – most of these tiles are even smaller than
prefab granite. The typical size is 12 inches by 12 inches. They are also made of real granite therefore you will
still enjoy the elegance and durability of the stone. Their prices are definitely lower than prefab granite.
• Granite Remnants – this is the lowest priced granite
you can get. There are at least two types of granite remnants: small granite slabs that are too small for a
countertop, and the left-over pieces or small cuttings from granite slabs. These small pieces of granite are
perfect for small granite countertops. You can get them at give-away prices because some of them are actually
already paid for by the original buyer of the granite slab.
There is something that you need to consider when using other forms of granite other than granite slabs. If you
use a whole piece of granite slab for your countertop, the countertop surface will be a single, continuous granite
stone structure. On the other hand, if you assemble a granite countertop using separate pieces of granite stones,
you need to join them together. Therefore you will have seams and/or grouts on your countertop. These sections must
be adequately sealed before the whole countertop surface is laminated. If not, they will be prone to water and dirt
intrusions and will eventually degrade the stone’s structure.
Granite Countertops Are Good Investments
Admittedly, granite is really an expensive stone.
But this will also work in your favor. If you install several granite countertops in your house, it will definitely
increase the value of your property. Additionally, if they are taken cared of properly, these countertops are known
to last for years. Therefore you can be sure that you will be able to use them for as long as you want.
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