29

Oct

What Is The Cheapest Color Of Granite?

If you have been shopping for granite countertops, you must have noticed that the color of the countertop has a significant impact on the price, where the uniform, rare colors tend to go at a higher price.

If you are operating on a budget, you must be wondering, what is the cheapest color of granite, right? The cheapest countertops are those with speckled and busy designs. The most common ones being:

Azul Platino

Azul Platino is quarried near Vigo, Spain, and it has been around for hundreds of years. This granite features an off-white background with small bluish-gray specks, and in some cases, it will have black spots scattered throughout the slab.

It’s also common to have the countertops with white or black veining. On closer examination, the countertops will have green, brown, or even pink flecks. The countertops will also have amethyst quartz crystals that provide brilliant violet flecks throughout the slab.

Azul Platino slab is usually large, making it an excellent choice for kitchen islands and other large-sized countertop needs.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia is quarried in Espirito Santo, Brazil, and the granite features a uniform appearance meaning that it’s common to find two almost identical slabs, which is not common with most other natural granite slabs.

The granite slab features a white background with gray and brown speckles that run uniformly throughout the slab.

When you look at the slab from a distance, it appears to be comprised of shades of gray ranging from light gray to deep charcoal with black and white patches throughout the slab, but on closer examination, you will notice hues of brown and sparkling crystals running throughout.

The beauty with New Caledonia is that it’s highly versatile and looks great in both contemporary and traditional kitchens and bathrooms.

You can pair it with dark wood-stained cabinetry or with light cabinetry for the charcoal flecking to stand out.

Dallas white

Dallas white granite is quarried in Aguia Branca, Brazil, and the granite has low water absorption and low porosity, making it an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

The slab has a white background with dark crystals scattered throughout, and in some cases, it might have slight veining.

The countertop’s uniform flecking works perfectly in traditional kitchens where the granite’s brown, golden cream veins and lavender flecks blend perfectly, giving your kitchen a beautiful look.

For the perfect look, pair the countertops with white or dark wood cabinetry such as walnut.

The unique thing about Dallas White granite is that, unlike other granites in the market, it doesn’t need face resin due to the tight grain structure found in the stone.

The lack of resin means that you can place hot pots on the countertops without worrying about damaging the granite surface.

Uba tuba granite

Also known as Ubatuba, Uba tuba is mined near Ubatuba, Sao Paolo, Brazil. The granite features a dark green background with consistent green, gold, and brown flecks scattered across the slab.

It also has a tight granite pattern with a few veins running throughout the stone. The veins present are usually small and gold, white, or turquoise.

The minerals in the granite vary in size from as little as an apple seed to as large as half a dollar, which significantly adds visual interest to the stone.

If you have a traditional kitchen, pair Ubatuba with dark cabinetry but if looking to create a contemporary space, pair the countertops with white cabinetry.

If you aren’t sure about the look you want to create, you don’t have to worry, as the various colors found in the Uba Tuba slab create a sophisticated yet simple look that works for every home.

Don’t buy poor-quality granite.

While you are looking for the cheapest color, you shouldn’t buy the cheapest quality countertop as it’s a matter of time before the countertop starts breaking apart and they end up being too expensive in the long run. Instead of cutting the cost on the quality of the slab, stay away from fancy edges, and instead, opt for a standard sink and choose granite remnants for the small areas instead of buying an entire slab.

To avoid getting ripped off, walk with experienced granite countertop installers Rockville to these stores.

31

Aug

Do You Need Hot Pads On Granite?

If you are wondering, do you need hot pads on granite? You must be new with granite countertops, and you are wondering whether they need any form of protection, right?

The answer is yes, you need to place hot pads on granite to protect the surfaces from damage.

It might sound weird that you need to protect granite while it’s one of the toughest materials in the market, but the truth is that while granite is tough, it’s not heatproof. This means that when you repeatedly place hot items on it, it’s a matter of time before you completely damage it.

To prevent this from happening, you need to use hot pads or trivets at all times. If you don’t have them, let the food cool in the oven, then bring it down once it has completely cooled down and is harmless to the countertops.

What other things do you need when using granite?

Besides the hot pads and trivets, there are plenty of other things you need to have when using granite. They include:

Sealer

Although granite surfaces are tough, they are porous. This means that when water and other liquids spill on the surfaces, if you don’t remove them early enough, they sink to the inner layers and stain your countertops. You don’t want this, do you?

To prevent the staining from coming about, always seal your countertops. You should do the sealing when you are installing the countertops then at least once a year thereafter.

The purpose of the sealer is to prevent the liquids from moving too fast into the inner layers, and as a consequence, you have enough time to wipe them down.

You should note that even if you have sealed your countertops, you should still move with haste and remove the spills because if you delay, the liquids will still get to the inner layers and stain your expensive countertops.

Cutting block

The other thing you need when you are working with granite is a cutting block. Again, even if the countertops appear tough, they aren’t damage-proof. If you repeatedly cut your vegetables and onions directly on the countertops, you will leave knife marks on them, which, as you can guess, will make your countertops ugly, forcing you to replace them so that you can have the countertops of your dreams.

The right thing to do is to always have a cutting board on the countertops at all times—this is where you should cut your vegetables and onions. At no time should you cut directly on the countertops, as you will damage them.

Ladder or stool

The other thing you should have with you as a granite owner is a ladder or stool. What do most homeowners do when reaching for the top shelf? They step on the countertops. Others sit on the countertops as they are preparing the meals. This is wrong.

Yes, granite counters are tough, but when you put a lot of pressure on them, they are bound to snap and break. You don’t want this to happen to your expensive countertops, do you?

To ensure that it doesn’t happen, have a stool in the kitchen to sit on as you wait for the meals to cook. When you want to reach the top shelf or change the bulb, don’t step on the countertops—have a ladder in place instead.

Water and soap

To keep the countertops looking great, you should have water and soap to do the cleaning. Some homeowners think that they should use tough cleaning agents such as ammonia and others for the best-looking countertops, but they shouldn’t.

While these cleaners are great, they are tough on your countertops, so they end up damaging them when you repeatedly use them.

Granite counters are one of the easiest countertops to maintain, and all you need to do is clean them with soap and water.

Stains are the biggest enemies of the countertops, so you should strive to keep them as much as possible. Granite installers Montgomery County MD recommend you avoid using liquids on the countertops as much as possible.

When spills happen, move with haste and get rid of them before they get to the deeper levels and stain the countertops.

30

Apr

What Color Granite Is Cheapest?

Granite countertops don’t come cheap, and one of the factors that affect the price of the countertops is the countertop’s color. Common colors such as white and black are cheaper compared to rare colors such as green and red. This means that if you are looking to save money, you should go for common countertop colors.

Are you wondering what color granite is cheapest? Tan and black granite are the cheapest, so if you are strapped for money, these are the ones to go for. While this is the case, there are plenty of other cheaper alternatives, including white granite, that you can buy if tan or black isn’t your color. These cheaper alternatives include:

Dallas white

Although it’s known as Dallas, this isn’t where it’s mined. The countertop is quarried in Aguia Branca, Brazil. The countertop is characterized by low water absorption and low porosity, making it an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

The countertop has a white background and dark crystals scattered throughout, giving your home an interesting appeal.

Although, most slabs have crystals, it’s not uncommon to find some slabs with brown or golden cream veins that make the countertop resemble an abstract art painting.

Due to the tight grain structure of the countertop, you don’t have to install a face resin on the countertops. The lack of resin means that you can place a hot pot on the countertop without worrying about damaging the countertops.

Although, the countertops are tough to take the heat, you should note that continued exposure to heat increases the chances of damaging them. To protect the countertops from damage, use a trivet or a hot pad every time you place a hot object on the countertops.

To get the most from the countertop, ensure that it’s installed by a professional. The Dallas white color pairs excellently with white cabinetry, but if you don’t want your entire bathroom or kitchen to be white, pair it with dark wood cabinetry such as dark walnut.

Azul Platino

Azul Platino has been around for hundreds of years, and it features an off-white background with small bluish-gray specks. It’s also common for the slabs to have black spots or even black or white veining.

Most of the Azul Platino slabs are large, making them ideal choices for kitchen islands and other areas where you need to install large-sized slabs.

Uba Tuba

It’s named after the place it’s mined. Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. Besides being affordable, the countertop is also beautiful, and when you properly install and take good care of it, it will last for a long time. The countertop features a dark green background with brown, green, and gold flecks scattered across the granite slab.

In some cases, the slab has small veins that can be white, gold, or turquoise.

When you install the countertops, pair them with dark cabinetry to bring out exciting features. You can also pair them with white cabinetry for an elegant contemporary look.

New Caledonia

This is another countertop quarried in Brazil. Although it’s natural, it’s unique in that it has a uniform look such that two slabs look almost similar.

The natural stone countertop features a white background with gray or brown speckles that run uniformly throughout the slab giving it an interesting look. The heavy grain pattern makes it easy to hide the stains, so you don’t have to worry when liquids and foods spill on the countertops.

Since the countertop has a uniform look, it perfectly fits both traditional and contemporary kitchens and bathrooms. To bring out the brown and bedrock minerals, pair them with dark wood-stained cabinetry. On the other hand, if you want to bring out the charcoal flecking, pair it with light cabinetry.

Valle Nevado

It’s one of the most popular, affordable countertop granite colors, and it’s loved for its ability to coordinate with many design styles. The countertop features a tight grain structure that minimizes the need to apply a resin to it.

Due to its versatility, you can effectively pair it with both black or white cabinetry. When you pair it with white cabinetry, you bring out the tiny back crystals. On the other hand, when you pair it with black cabinetry, you bring out the pale gray tone of the countertop.

The key to getting the most from it is to work with experienced granite installers Rockville that know what they are doing.

30

Mar

How Do I Get The Best Deal On Granite Countertops?

Although granite counters are beautiful and significantly improve the house’s look, they don’t come cheap. Fortunately, you can do several things to get the countertops at a good price. Are you wondering how do I get the best deal on granite countertops? There are plenty of ways, with the most common ones being:

Shop around and compare prices

What do most homeowners do when they are looking to buy granite counters? They visit the first granite shop and make the purchase. In most cases, they do this because they are in a hurry to get things done and move on to the next thing. This is wrong as they often end up spending too much money than they should have.

To save money and get the best deal, take your time and visit different granite stores and see what they offer. Of course, you should only consider buying from a store stocking high-quality stones at a low cost.

You can’t have ample time if you start your research late, so to ensure you have as much time as you need, start scouting for countertops at least 3 months before you embark on your project.

Buy wholesale

When you buy anything wholesale, you save a lot of money, and you should do the same when you are buying granite counters. The cool thing is most granite stores will sell you the countertops at wholesale prices when you are buying many slabs. There are even some stores that will sell you one slab at a wholesale price—you only need to look.

Be flexible with granite color.

One of the prime factors affecting the price of countertops is the color of the slab, where the rare colors cost more than the easier-to-find colors. As you can guess, this means that if you are looking for a specific rare color, you end up paying a premium for your countertops.

To save money and get a perfect deal, you should be flexible in your color choice. The beauty is since granite is natural, it comes in plenty of colors to choose from. If you are in the granite store and find that your desired granite color is expensive than your budget, choose a cheaper color that is close to your color of choice.

Order from a local supplier

While you can buy the granite slabs from anywhere in the world, it’s good you buy them from your local supplier. The reason for this is because the slabs will be cheaper to transport from the local supplier to your home.

Granite slabs are heavy, and if you ship them from a long-distance, they can cost you an arm and a leg, and you don’t want this, do you?

Granite sellers ship their products in bulk, so they don’t spend as much money as you would if you shipped just a few slabs for your kitchen.

To save even more money on transport, ask the seller if they can transport the slabs for you, for free.

Go for granite remnants.

If you are looking for small granite slabs for certain kitchen elements, such as the backsplash behind the stove, don’t spend a lot of money on whole granite slabs. Instead, get granite remnants.

These are small granite chunks that are leftover from previous projects.

Since they are leftover and often too small to fit an entire kitchen, they are cheaper than entire slabs.

When you are in the granite store, ask for the remnants, and you will get them at a low price, which sees you saving a lot of money.

Go with a standard eased edge.

The type of edge you install on your countertops has a significant impact on the overall cost of granite surfaces, so be cautious of the edge you settle on. As a rule of thumb, choose the standard eased edge as it’s much cheaper than the tiered or bevel edge.

Install the countertops by yourself

If you are a dab hand at DIY projects, save money by bypassing granite installers Rockville and installing the countertops by yourself. Of course, ensure that you follow the right procedure when it comes to their installation.

14

Feb

Do I Need Plywood under Granite Countertops?

If you are asking, do I need plywood under granite countertops? You must be thinking about installing granite in your home, but aren’t sure whether also budget for plywood, right?

Well, you need plywood if your granite slab is less than 3cm thick. You should note that you will still need support in certain situations, even if your countertops are more than 3cm thick. These situations include:

Over the dishwasher.

The dishwasher opening has an opening that goes completely unsupported since there is no cabinet for it to rest on. The plywood support will provide the granite counters with the support it needs.

Besides the support, it’s wise you ask the contractor to install mesh under the countertop at the dishwasher location for additional support.

Bartop overhang

The bar top overhang creates an unbalanced loading condition, so if someone puts weight on the edge of the countertop, it will rotate in the force’s direction. It’s for this reason that you will need additional support for the cantilevered portion of your granite.

Even if the contractor installs mesh under the cantilevered portion of your countertop, the support isn’t enough to provide you with the amazing support you are looking for. For maximum support, install plywood.

Why use plywood to support natural stone?

While it might seem silly to support a stone with wood, it actually makes sense. For once, plywood is durable, while granite is fragile, especially if the slab is thin. This means that the piece of plywood will provide you with the support you are looking for.

Plywood is also inexpensive compared to solid hardwoods. This means you can provide support to your countertops without breaking the bank.

If you were to use stones instead of plywood, you would have to use multiple stones to join the pieces together, which will leave unsightly seams on the countertops. On the other hand, installing plywood means you have a smooth and seamless countertop that you can be proud to show off.

Are there other granite countertop support options?

If you don’t like securing your countertops with plywood or you have no access to it, don’t worry as there are plenty of other options you can go with. These options include:

Corbels

A corbel is a support where the back attaches vertically to the cabinet or wall, and the top acts as the support where you can rest other objects on. Corbels are similar to L-shaped brackets, but they are made as solid 3D objects designed to be seen.

The cool thing is, unlike brackets, corbels are designed to be both aesthetically appealing and functional. Since they leave space for your legs, corbels are perfect supports for a bar top overhang.

Poles

Poles are as simple as they sound. They come straight up from the floor, providing support to the underside of the countertop. Poles make an excellent choice when you are planning to install a large overhang.

While poles are great, provide additional support by installing some subtop, such as plywood or wire mesh.

Brackets

Brackets are like corbels, but they are designed not to be seen. A good example of the hidden countertop bracket is the L-shaped bracket. Brackets work like corbels where you mount them vertically to the cabinets, having a space on top to support the counter.

After installation, there is nothing between the bracket’s top and back, making them almost invisible.

Another popular bracket is the knee wall bracket that is straight and often mounted horizontally into a knee wall. For those wondering what a knee wall is, it’s a short wall that doesn’t extend all the way from the floor to the ceiling.

During installation, you cut holes into the wood underneath where you are planning to install your countertops, then install the metal sheets straight into the wood to support the countertop overhang’s weight.

Work with a professional

Regardless of the type of support you are using on your countertops, ensure the installation is done by a professional granite contractor Rockville. The last thing you want is to hire a novice that botches your expensive countertops.

31

Jan

7 Excellent Kitchen Countertop Cover-Ups

Don’t like the current look of your countertops? Don’t rush to hire countertop replacement services providers, as there are several ways you can cover your countertops without requiring contractor services. To help you out, here 7 excellent kitchen countertop cover-ups:

Tile the countertops

Tiles are excellent at covering floors, walls, and showers, and there is no reason you shouldn’t use them to cover up your old countertops. When choosing the tiles, go for glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles as they are the most stain and heat resistant.

They also come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors. Avoid natural stone tile as it requires periodic sealing that can be too much work on your part.

You can install the tiles directly on your countertops without removing the old countertops. You only need to ensure the tiles are flat and stable enough to prevent the new tiles from cracking.

As you are installing the tiles, you should note that while tiles are durable and easy to maintain, the grout joints are prone to staining. To minimize the stains, seal the countertops as soon as possible after installing the tile. You should then apply the sealer every few years to maintain the protective barrier.

Lay laminate over the countertops

If you have old laminate countertops with square edges, you can cover them with a new laminate layer. The layers are sold in sheets of up to 5 feet wide and 12 feet long, and all you need to do is to visit your local store and place your order.

If your countertops have raised and rounded edges, often known as waterfall edges, you can’t cover them with new laminate surfaces as the new material can’t conform to the edge contours.

Use a countertop refinishing kit.

Refinishing kits have everything you need to cover your countertops. The refinishing kits include an epoxy-like paint and decorative stone chips that create the natural stone look.

To cover your countertops using the kit, you simply need to follow the kit’s instructions. While this method is highly effective, you should note that it involves a lot of hard work, it’s messy, and you need to pay close attention to the kit’s details.

Cover your countertops with wood

Have you always wanted butcher block, or are you drawn to the beauty of real wood countertops? You can cover your old, beaten countertops with wide planks of solid hardwood. You can even get creative and use a blend of hardwood and bamboo plywood.

The cool thing with hardwood is it’s more durable and repairable than plywood. Only plywood comes in larger pieces and is more affordable.

Bamboo plywood offers the best of both worlds. It has a thicker top layer that ensures it’s durable and easy to repair and at the same time comes in 4 x 8-foot sheets like regular plywood.

You should note that covering your countertops with hardwood requires woodworking skills and the right tools. You can do the work by yourself if you have the skills or hire a professional to help you out.

Install modular granite

Also known as granite or stone overlay, modular granite is a system of small thin stone slabs designed to cover old countertops. The stones are 16 by 18 inches wide, which means there are fewer joints between the pieces.

For the problematic inside and outside corners, there are special pieces made for these sections, as well as the optional edge pieces.

Cover the countertops with film

Countertop film is thicker than shelf or contact paper. Many people refer to it as a cross between vinyl flooring and shelf paper and have a self-adhesive backing for sticking directly to the old countertop surface.

To install the film, layout the film, trim it to a rough size, and align it to the countertop edges. You should then stick it down using a squeegee tool to remove the air bubbles.

While the film will cover your ugly surfaces, you should note that it’s not a long-term solution, so use it as a temporary way of covering your surfaces.

Paint the countertops

Painting your countertops is easy, fast, and gives you immediate results. You can also do it by yourself without involving granite contractors Rockville or other professionals.

13

Jan

How Do You Save Money On Granite Countertops?

Since granite is a luxurious material, many homeowners imagine having to spend astronomical amounts on it. What if I told you it doesn’t have to be this way? Operating on a budget and wondering how do you save money on granite countertops? Here are tips on how to go about it:

Buy a prefabricated stone.

A prefabricated stone is one that has already been cut before arriving at the store. Since the supplier doesn’t have to cut the stone, they often sell it at a lower price, which sees you saving money.

Prefabricated stones also prevent unwanted delays as the supplier picks the stone from the store and delivers it to your home without working on them.

While the prefabricated stone saves you money, you should note that it might not fit your kitchen perfectly as it doesn’t have custom cuttings.

Before you go for this stone, ask your contractor whether it’s a wise thing to do. You don’t want to save money on a stone you won’t use or install it, and it gives your kitchen an ugly look, do you?

Take your time

What do most homeowners do when they are looking to install countertops in their homes? They rush to the nearest store and pick the slab that is pleasing to their eyes. You shouldn’t do this if you are looking to save money.

As a savvy shopper, take your time. Ask yourself, where can I find granite countertops? The materials are sold in big box stores, from granite fabricators and companies specializing in prefabricated granite counters, and bathroom design studios.

You should then hit these stores and see what they have to offer. As you are shopping, keep in mind that most big box stores don’t stock many countertop options and tend to be expensive, so it’s wise to avoid them.

Get estimates from different suppliers and compare them. The estimates should include the cost of the countertop, the cost of delivering it to your property, and the installation cost.

Carefully review the estimates and buy from a contractor that makes the most sense.

It’s also wise to shop in the company of an experienced contractor who will guide you on buying a countertop material that is right for your home and gives you the best results.

Settle for a simple color

If you have been shopping for the countertops for a while, you must have realized that certain countertops are more expensive than others solely due to their colors.

Some colors are rare than others, and the rare ones tend to be more expensive. And since you are looking to save money, avoid countertops with the rare color.

You might argue that your kitchen will look better with the rare color, but you should know you are better off changing the design elements in your kitchen to fit the color of a more affordable countertop rather than going for the expensive stone.

For example, you can paint or stain your cabinets to match the less expensive color, and you save money you would have spent on the rare color.

Keep an eye on the hidden costs.

When installing countertops, the price of the countertops is just one of the costs. There are plenty of other costs that come with it, such as the cost of installation, seaming, transportation, edging, backsplash finish, and many others.

To save money, buy from smaller stores with plenty of countertop options and often install the countertops at a lower price.

Streamline the project by choosing the standard eased edge instead of fancier edges such as the bevel edge. You also save money by choosing another finish for the backsplash.

Use granite tiles instead of slabs.

If looking to redo the entire kitchen or bathroom, use granite tiles instead of slabs. Although, you won’t get the same look as with the slab, tiles are cheaper to buy and install. Tiles are also thinner, which means less raw materials to deal with and easier transportation.

The light and thin nature of the tiles means you can also install them directly over your existing counters.  Due to this, granite contractor Rockville has to undertake little to no demolition work.

28

Dec

Can You Remove Granite Countertops and Reuse Them?

Imagine this. You have spent thousands of dollars renovating your house with premium granite counters then due to unforeseen circumstances, you have to move out of the house or sell it.

You can’t imagine moving to the new house without the seamless design, durability, ease of maintenance, and color patterns of granite.

Can you remove granite countertops and reuse them? You wonder. The simple answer is it’s most likely impossible as there are plenty of hurdles you have to go over for it to be a success. These hurdles include:

You have to match the kitchen space layout

Since you had already cut the slabs during installation, the only way you can use them in your new home is if they fit the footprint of your new kitchen cabinetry.

This means if in the old layout the granite had cutout around the wet bar area or around the sink area, for you to reuse your countertops in the new kitchen you should have the exact layout, which as you can guess is highly improbable.

Even if by miracle the old and new kitchen layouts match, you have problems if the new kitchen is larger than the old one.

In such a scenario you have to find matching granite pieces which can be difficult if the granite pattern and color is unique.

Even if you manage to get the piece, you will have a visible seam where you attach the additional slab. As you can guess this can significantly affect the look you are trying to achieve.

So to conclude, for you to successfully remove and reuse your kitchen countertop, the two houses should have similar cabinet layouts. The length and width of the countertop should fit the cabinet dimensions.

If you have excess granite, your contractor can trim it down, but if the granite is not enough, you have plenty of issues to solve.

High granite damage risk

Most homeowners install granite for its tough and indestructible nature, but you should know that granite is heavy and brittle.

This means it’s almost impossible to remove the countertops in one large slab as the risk of damage is high.

For you to safely remove the countertop, hire a professional to come with special tools, which as you might guess isn’t cheap.

You also have to involve several people to hold along the countertop’s length to avoid pressure points that might lead to cracking.

Even when you hire experienced contractors, most of them will require you to sign a contract that frees them from liability should the granite crack during removal. This is due to the high risk of damage that comes with removing the stone.

Before you decide to remove the granite, find out the type of granite you have. Granite can be weaker and fragile or it can be harder and stronger. Obviously, you should go for one that is harder and stronger as it will be easier to handle and move without risking a lot of damage.

You also should consider the thickness of the granite counter. It’s better to remove a thicker slab than a thinner one. To tell how thin your countertop is, check it from beneath the cabinet.

If there is plywood below the granite, then the countertop is thin and has high chances of cracking but if there is no plywood, the stone is thick and there are chances of removing it with no issues.

Work with an expert contractor

There are plenty of perks that come with removing and reusing granite counters. One is you don’t leave behind your precious countertops you spent a lot of money on.

Secondly, you don’t have to break the bank to purchase new countertops in your new home.

While this is great, as discussed above, it comes with plenty of challenges you have to be strategic when approaching them. To increase the chances of the process being successful, work with experienced granite contractors Rockville.

The contractors should have removed and reused other countertops in the past. When you hire the right ones, they will help you decide whether it’s wise to remove the countertops or not.

The contractors will also remove and reinstall the countertops if the stone is healthy enough for reuse.

07

Dec

How Much Do Granite Countertops Cost?

If you are asking how much do granite countertops cost, you must be looking to renovate your bathroom or kitchen and not sure how much to budget for it. As much as we would like to give you a definite answer to this question, the unfortunate thing is the price of the slabs varies depending on plenty of factors that include:

Source of the stone

Ask most homeowners where to buy the granite counters, and the first thing that comes to their minds is the big box stores. While the stores are large and popular, they often don’t have plenty of countertop slab options to choose from. The stores also tend to be more expensive, with most of them charging up to 40% more than specialist stores.

These big-box stores also often outsource the fabrication and installation work making the installation process too expensive.

To save money and get many countertop options to choose from, buy your countertops from the countertop specialists. These professionals have staff, skills, and the necessary equipment, making them a one stop shop.

When you visit these stores, you get top quality unique slabs at a lower cost, and you have expert contractors ready to install the countertops for you expertly.

Thickness

Most of the granite slabs vary between 2 cm and 3 cm. As you can guess, the thicker slabs are more expensive than, the thinner ones. This means you can buy many thinner countertops than thicker ones.

Unfortunately, the thinner slabs require a lot of support and easily break especially when you place them over a large area.

Rarelity of the colors

Although most homeowners install white countertops, granite slabs come in all shades of colors where the rare and exotic colors such as red, blue, and black tend to be more expensive than the standard hues.

Cut

Most people associate granite with long slabs of stone, but these are just the most desirable cut for the kitchen countertops. Manufacturers cut granite in many ways, including tiles, modules, and many others.

Slabs are the most popular, followed by modules, then tiles, where the only advantage granite slabs have over modules is that slabs look better as they require fewer seams hence presenting a smoother, sleeker look.

The modules and tiles might seem less durable than slabs, but this isn’t the case. Remember, they are made from granite.

If operating on a tight budget, go for tiles that also work excellently for backsplashes.

Granite quality grades

Granite comes in different grades defined by pits, veins, colors, soft material content, marks, thickness, and the quarry. While there are many grades, we can summarize them into three primary levels:

Level 1: The low level or entry-level granite is also known as the commercial-grade or the “builder’s grade,” often from china.

Level 2: This is the mid-grade level that is more unique than level 1, and it’s often from Brazil and India.

Level 3: Also known as the high-level grade, it’s the finest quality and comes from India and Brazil.

Obviously, level 3 is the most expensive as it focuses on the quality of the stone.

Demand and supply

Like any other product in the market, the granite countertops’ price is affected by the demand and supply forces. If you buy the slabs when they are in high demand, you will pay more for them than when another person would buy when the demand is lower.

Finishes

Most countertop specialists give the countertops a glossy or polished finish, and in rare cases, they will give it a matte finish. These are the most popular granite finishes, and when you buy them, you won’t pay extra for them.

Unfortunately, if you choose another finish, such as hammered or leathered, you will have to pay an extra fee as the finish is out of the ordinary.

Can you save on your countertops?

The good news is you can save on your countertops. One way is to be more flexible on the countertop’s color, size, grade, and texture. You also should be cautious of the store you buy from.

To avoid costly mistakes, hire expert granite installers Rockville to handle the installations. The professionals will help you with the installations and guide you into buying the right slabs for your home.

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Nov

How Much Weight Can You Put On Granite Countertops?

If you are asking, how much weight can you put on granite countertops? You must be thinking about standing or sitting on your countertops and unsure whether your countertops will take the weight, right?

Granite is fairly thick, often at the very least ¾ of an inch. If the weight is evenly distributed over a large area, the countertops can hold up to 1000 pounds.

If you are planning on standing on the countertops either to change the lights or reach to the top shelf, you most likely won’t have your weight evenly distributed, which increases the chances of damaging the countertops, especially if your countertops have a weak point or small fissures.

While granite is tough and can handle a lot of weight, granite technicians highly discourage sitting or standing on them. If you have to stand or sit on the countertops, place sturdy plywood on the counters where you will now stand or sit on.

The plywood will help distribute the weight over a large area reducing the chances of caving in the countertops with your weight. To avoid splinters, wear shoes.

Besides sitting or standing on the countertops, there are plenty of other things you should avoid doing to maintain your countertops in top shape. They include:

Placing kids in the sink

If you have a double sink, it might seem cute having your little one there as you are cleaning the dishes but don’t do it. Sinks are often the countertops’ weakest areas, and having your three or four-year-old there you will be damaging your precious countertops.

If you enjoy cleaning the dishes or preparing your meals with the kids in the kitchen, bring them seats to sit on the kitchen island as you go about your duties.

Allowing a lot of sun in the kitchen

Every homeowner wants a well-lit kitchen, and there is nothing wrong with this, but allowing a lot of direct sunlight in the kitchen can cause your countertops to fade. Sunlight can also fade some of the sealants you used on your countertops, giving your surfaces a cheap look.

To avoid this, pull down the shades during the peak daylight hours.

Preparing food in the same area

Do you prepare food in the same spot all the time? Over time, the area suffers from etches, scratches, and other signs of wear and tear.

It’s normal to have a favorite food preparation area, but don’t be too attached to it.

Now and then, prepare your food in different areas of the counter. Who knows, you might even discover a new favorite area you never knew existed?

Placing hot pots and pans on the countertop

Granite is a natural stone, so it has a tough look but don’t fall for it. Placing a hot pan directly on it will cause cracking and discoloration. In some cases, you destroy the granite slab to the extent you have to replace it.

To keep your surfaces in good condition, make it a habit to use potholders and trivets to serve as barriers to avoid burning the surfaces.

Leaning on the edges

What happens when you are preparing your meals with your better half in the kitchen? If there are no chairs in the room, they often lean on the edges, isn’t it? This is wrong as, just like standing or sitting, you put extra pressure on the counters, increasing their chances of getting damaged especially if there are fault lines.

As you should avoid sitting, you should definitely avoid opening a beer bottle on the counters.

Dicing directly on the countertops

The same way homeowners think they can place hot items on the countertops and get away with it is the same way they think they can chop directly on the granite kitchen countertops Rockville and cause no harm.

Oh boy, how wrong are they? When you cut directly on the surfaces, you cause fine scratches that can disrupt the waterproof sealant on the countertops, making them more susceptible to damage.

To maintain your countertops in top condition, always use a cutting board whenever you are chopping, slicing, or dicing.