Prefab Granite
You Can Save Big Money With Prefabricated Granite
Prefab granite was developed by granite fabricators to cater to homeowners who can’t afford the more expensive
granite slabs. Usually, when you order for a granite kitchen countertop, the granite fabricator will cut and shape
it from a huge piece of granite slab.
With the prices of granite ranging from $60 to $120 per square foot, this will be an expensive project even if
you’re talking about an average-sized kitchen countertop. But if you will use prefab granite instead, you stand to
save 25% to 45% of the original cost. Many homeowners can now afford to have granite countertops in their
homes.
The Attractive Option Of Prefab Granite
The extraordinary qualities of granite are the
reasons why affluent homeowners insist on using granite for their countertops. But since they are expensive, only
this class of people could afford them. With the introduction of prefab granite, this situation has changed.
Granite is now within reach of homeowners who have limited budgets.
Available Sizes of Prefab Granite
Granite is the base material of prefab granite. This stone
is well known for its hardness, beauty and durability. It is formed in the deep recesses of the earth’s crust by
molten magma which eventually cools off to form a very hard stone that possess massive strength. Its mineral
composition is varied, but it contains feldspar, quartz, mica and other trace elements. Prefab granite are actually
cut-out and shaped from big granite slabs. These slabs are cut into sizes such as 4 to 8 feet long and 3 to 4 feet
wide.
They are available in standard sizes for kitchen and bathroom and other types of applications. The standard
sizes are 26 inches by 98 inches and 42 inches by 98 inches. These tiles have a standard thickness of about ¾ inch.
Granite edges and spaces or holes for the sink are also provided in prefab granite intended for countertop
purposes. After all this is done, the granite is sanded and polished to give the surface a glossy finish.
Most Popular Uses of Prefab Granite
Prefab granite is mostly used for counters. The bigger prefab granite is used to make large kitchen islands while
the smaller is used for making kitchen countertops. Both types of granite are more than able to handle reasonable
pressure because of their standard ¾ inch thickness plus the support of a wood backing.
Points For Prefab Granite
With their smaller size, prefab granite has some decided advantages over the bigger granite slabs. Here are some of
them.
• The biggest benefit you can get with prefab granite is its lower cost. With the same quality and
strength as that of granite slabs, you are able to build a granite countertop at only a fraction of the
cost.
• Prefab granite is easier to work with being smaller. Your installation costs will not be as high as that
of granite slabs.
• They are more flexible than granite slabs. Cutting and shaping them into different shapes are not as
difficult as granite slabs.
• Granite edges are already installed in prefab granite therefore you can get additional savings on this
regard.
• This can be a DIY project therefore if you have decent handyman skills you can even do it yourself. That
means additional savings.
Downsides To Using Prefab Granite
You also need to consider some of the disadvantages to
using prefab granite. They include the following.
• With prefab granite, you won’t be able to avoid having seams on your countertop surface because they
are the places where each prefab granite are joined. With countertops made of a single granite slab, you will
have a continuous granite countertop surface.
• The color choices of prefab granite may not be as widely varied as granite slabs.
Additional Considerations
You have to ensure the strength of your countertop structure
because it is not made of a single slab. Make sure that the plywood backing that supports the countertop surface is
strong enough to handle the pressure of the activities that you will do on the surface. It is recommended that all
joints and seams are sealed individually before the whole countertop is sealed and laminated. This will prevent
water, dirt and other foreign elements from entering the stones and damaging them. Additionally, you must schedule
a periodical re-sealing and re-laminating of the countertop surface at least once a year. This procedure will
enable you to maintain the beautiful surface finish of your countertop, as well as extend its useful life.
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