Granite Remnants
Granite remnants are welcome news to those who want to have granite countertops but can’t afford them. It is
widely known that only those who can afford them can have granite countertops in their home.
Not anymore. With granite remnants, even the average homeowner, if he can only be convinced in his mind, would
be able to afford one. The standard granite countertop will usually cost from $60 to $120 per square foot. Now,
with these remnants, you can have a granite countertop the will only cost you about 10% of the original cost.
However, to those who want a more classy type of granite countertop, it is possible to only spend about 70% of the
original price.
Two Types of Granite Remnants
The varying prices of these remnants are due to the
differences in their types and sizes. There are at least two different types of granite remnants. They are:
• Granite remnants which are actually the left-over cuttings from big granite slabs. They are small and
irregular in shapes.
• Granite remnants which are small pieces of granite slabs that are too small to use for a standard
granite countertop.
The quality of the left-over cuttings is of the same quality as the original granite slab where they came from.
If you will use them to build your countertop, the beauty and elegance of your countertop will be the same.
Why They Are Priced More Cheaply
Granite fabricators are selling these remnants at give-away
prices because they have already made money out of the original granite slabs. Since these remnants are already
paid for by the original buyer, then the stone suppliers could afford to give them at the lowest prices. In fact,
they are making money out of them twice. In the case of the small granite slabs, since they can’t be made into a
standard-sized countertop, they’d be better off selling them at low, low prices just to make money out of them.
But You Have To Do Extra Work
There are things you need to do, though, when you are thinking
of using granite remnants.
• You need to be imaginative and flexible. These remnants come in all sorts of sizes, shapes, colors
and conditions. It is seldom that you can get your choice of material right away. Therefore, you need to be
ready and prepared to change your countertop design if and when the situation requires it.
• You need to be quick in buying the pieces that you think will suit your design. If you dilly-dally,
somebody might ‘snatch’ your chosen item while you’re not looking.
• You need to go and look out for the places where these remnants are available. This means that you must
be willing to spend some time in visiting the supply depots of not just one but several granite fabricators.
This is the only way you can get the granite pieces that will fit your planned countertop design.
Luck Will Sometimes Work On Your Favor
You will sometimes find treasures while hunting for granite remnants on the supply depots of granite suppliers.
Most of these remnants have already undergone some kind of stone processing. Therefore it is not uncommon to find
remnants that already have smooth and polished surfaces. If luck is on your side, you could even find remnants with
flamed or honed finish. That will be like striking gold. Not only can you save on granite cost, but also on surface
finishing as well.
Putting Granite Remnants Together
Assembling these remnants into a countertop is only slightly different with that of single granite slabs. A single
granite slab is one continuous stone, while the countertop made of granite remnants are actually several pieces of
granites joined together. These remnants need to be tightly joined together to make a strong countertop. There are
enough countertop builders who are experienced and skillful in doing this. Get their services in assembling your
granite remnants into an elegant granite countertop. Stone fabricators will shape and polish your remnants to fit
your project. They will also make the necessary structural reinforcements to make your countertop sturdy and
strong.
Making Your Granite Countertop Stronger
To make your countertop resistant to water, stains
and dirt, you need to have all the joints and seams sealed separately, before the whole countertop surface is
sealed and laminated. This will prevent foreign elements from entering through the joints and ruining the granite
remnants. Then schedule a regular re-sealing and re-laminating of the countertop surface at least once a year. This
will make your granite countertop last for years.
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