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Sep

8 Questions To Ask When Choosing Granite Countertops

If you haven’t bought countertops for your kitchen before, then selecting the material may be a tricky and daunting task. You might have heard of the big names in the countertop world such as quartz, marble, and granite countertops. If you want to go for granite, then these questions are really important to keep in mind.

Questions To Ask When Buying Granite Countertops

Is Checking Samples Enough?

Samples are small pieces of the actual stone that you see when you are in a retail store for granite countertops. When you’re looking at the color and texture, the sample and the actual stone may vary a lot.

So, you want to try your best and check retailers that have actual slabs on display too. Going to a slab yard will also do wonders when it comes to selecting granite and the color you want. So, no, samples aren’t going to cut it.

What Should Be The Color?

This is a question whose answer will be different for everyone. You can’t expect to have a cookie-cutter answer to a question that only you can answer and the best way to do that is to look at your kitchen and figure out what color looks the best, and then check your preference too.

If you love lighter colors, then you can go for them. If you love dark and the signature looks of granite, then you can go for that. Availability is also something that you have to factor in, because not all retailers have all the colors available in granite countertops.

Is The Thickness Of Slabs Important?

Yes, checking the slab thickness is really important, but that doesn’t mean that you have to get the thickest slab in order for it to be indestructible. Thicker slabs will be heavier and they will ultimately be a lot more expensive too. So, that is something that you have to keep in mind.

Also, thicker slabs can look very chunky at times, they are hard to install, and they just won’t go with your kitchen aesthetic either. Therefore, you need to hone in on this factor and consider which thickness will be the best for your kitchen and your budget.

Do I Have To Decide On The Edges?

Yes, the edges of the countertops are just as important as the color and pattern you’re choosing at the time of buying granite. There are lots of countertop edge styles out there and they’re all different. When you go to a retailer for granite countertops, you want to finalize the edges before the fabrication process begins.

This will ensure that you’ve dealt with everything and you don’t have to worry about anything else. So, if you love a certain edge design or its practicality, then you need to finalize it before calling it a day.

Is Granite High Maintenance?

Granite is a natural stone, which means that it is porous and it is also susceptible to damage due to harsh substances used in cleaning. When you think about maintaining granite, you need to seal it regularly to ensure that stains and splotches won’t be a problem in the future. You also have to buy special gentle cleaners that will clean the countertops and keep them from damage.

This is something that you really have to take care of, because you’re talking about an expensive stone and one wrong mistake can lead to irreversible damage, and you don’t want that.

Is Granite Worth The Price?

A lot of people know that granite is not a “reasonable” material when it comes to price. It is extremely expensive and, sometimes, people are not convinced by the price they’re paying and the stone that they’re getting. Well, granite is a very spectacular material when it comes to durability and longevity.

It outlives everything and it is one of the most loved stones ever. So, when you factor all of these things in, along with its hefty maintenance, it is worth it in the end. You just need to take care of it and you’ll be good to go for a long time.

Where Can I Get The Best Granite Countertops?

This is also something that will vary based on where you live and where you will find the best retailers for granite. There are countertop retailers everywhere, but are they good? That is something that you’ll only find out when you go through reviews and check the products for yourself.

Some granite countertop retailers have amazing reviews and their products are high quality too, so those are the ones you want to go for. They will surely give you the best of the best materials out there and you will be satisfied.

Which Type Of Granite Finish To Go For?

When you’re choosing granite as your kitchen countertop material, you need to figure out what finish you’re going for. This is going to be crucial for your kitchen, because based on the type of finish you choose, you’ll need to take care of a few things too. So, here are some of the very commonly found finishes of granite.

Honed Granite

First up is the granite finish, which is matte and not reflective at all. This is known as a honed finish. When you opt for a honed finish, you can expect the surface to look matte and not glossy at all. This is perfect for people who don’t want such a flashy or bright granite countertop. They can go for honed finishes, because they are easy to clean and you don’t need to maintain them a lot.

Polished Granite

Polished granite is exactly what it sounds like. It is highly reflective, it reflects light off the surface, and it is very glossy to the point that it looks wet. Polished granite is amazing if you want to hide the scratches on the surface, because the light will hide them really well. Also, the glossy finish looks really clean and new.

So, if that is something you like, then you can go for it. However, polished finishes tend to fade away over time, so you really need to preserve the shine by getting the stone polished every now and then. If you don’t, then the polish will get dull and it will disappear over the years.

Leathered Granite

Honed and polished granite surfaces don’t necessarily have any textures on the surface. They’re pretty much smooth to the touch. So, if you want something that has a bit of grit and texture on the surface, then you need to go for textured or leathered granite. Leathered granite has a grainy texture on the surface, like leather and it is not smooth.

So, if that is something that seems right up your alley, then you can go for it. It gives the kitchen a very rustic look, but it does need to be cleaned more thoroughly, thanks to the very texture you love.

Conclusion

When you’re choosing granite as your kitchen countertop material, you need ask these questions to make sure you’re buying something that’s right for you. If you need help in choosing materials or installing countertops, get in touch with granite companies Rockville.