Granite Countertops for Your Kitchen Remodel: Why We Love Them!

If you want to install granite countertops for your kitchen remodel, give us a call. Both beautiful and durable, granite is a popular material that stands the test of time. We can use granite for your standard kitchen counters and carry it throughout your kitchen in order to create more counter space beyond the usual areas. For example, many people take this opportunity to make a butler's pantry right outside of their kitchen by incorporating the same granite materials in a small hallway.

Others will take the same granite and use it to create a desk inside the kitchen that acts as a surface for homework, paying the bills, or sitting and relaxing while waiting for dinner. Depending on the size of your kitchen, you may also want to incorporate granite into the middle of the room by using it to create a lovely island. These are all things that we can help you with. We can also make recommendations for possible ways to utilize granite when you call and schedule an in-home consultation.

Benefits of Granite

When you compare granite countertops for your kitchen remodel with the alternatives, granite tends to stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here is why:

• Variety. Since granite occurs naturally, you can select from numerous styles, shades, colors and pattern combinations. Granite is a truly incredible option for anyone that wants to add a unique touch to their kitchen. Since a lot of people are not interested in having counters that look the same as their neighbor's or best friend's, granite can be an excellent solution to consider. After all, you may select a piece of granite that looks like nothing you have ever seen and will not appear in anyone else's home.
• Durability. One of the best things about granite is its durability. It is unlikely that your granite will crack or chip even after years of use. Your granite can stand up to the daily abuse that your family dishes out, even if that involves chopping the occasional vegetable on your counter. While not recommended, it is nice to know that you can have a material in place that will stand up to even careless or busy decisions made by prep cooks.
• Easy to Clean. Granite is not as likely to soak in stains and dirt as some other counter materials. This means that it is far easier to clean and to look good no matter what. This is good news for any busy families that might not have as much time to clean as they prefer.
• Price. Granite is certainly not cheap and when you compare it to other solutions like laminate, it will definitely cost you more. However, it is also less money than something like marble. This makes it an affordable and glamorous solution when you are on a budget.

Schedule An In-Home Consultation

For ideas, tips, or suggestions on how to use granite countertops in your kitchen remodel, call our office and schedule a consultation.

Things to Consider When Evaluating Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are all the rage on home remodeling shows, as well as do-it-yourself magazines. This is because they have a certain appeal and also work to help make your home more valuable. Granite countertops add additional beauty to your entire home, not just the kitchen or bathroom space where they have been placed.

For anybody considering a remodel of their house, the kitchen will get a great deal of attention. This is because the kitchen is often considered to be the heart of the home, the place where you will spend a large amount of time together, and definitely a space in which you want to be able to entertain. As a result, granite countertops find themselves front and center in the decor and decoration of the home. Sometimes, however, people wonder if granite countertops are really worth all the hype? After all, they tend to be very earthy in tone, costly, and require the use of experts to install them. Here are two ways to help you and decide if granite countertops are the perfect fit for your home.

#1 Visual Appeal 

One of the most important things to remember about granite countertops is that they have a certain decor value and visual appeal. The minute you install granite countertops, you are adding value to your home. You're also working to make it more appealing, and there will be an additional sense of sophistication. If you plan to sell your house at some point in the future, the appeal of granite countertops will have exceptional value and could peak potential home buyers' interest. Granite provides a sense of elegance and luxury to your kitchen and bathroom, which can be a major selling point down the road. The bottom line is that granite countertops add value, both now and if you plan on selling in the future.

#2 Durability 

There is another factor you need to take into consideration when considering if you want to install granite countertops. Not only are they better looking and have more appeal, but they also provide you with extended durability. Granite countertops are stronger and harder than virtually any other material used to make countertops today. For homeowners, the durability that granite provides gives you a surface that you can use for years to come. In fact, most granite countertops will outlast the house, which means you will never need to replace them. Most traditional laminate counters will need to be replaced or have rings and scratches become apparent. Granite countertops, on the other hand, are designed to last a lifetime. From an aesthetic, durability, value-added, and "never needing to replace them" standpoint, granite countertops are by far the most elegant, visually appealing, and efficient way to give yourself countertops that will last a lifetime.

Schedule an Appointment

To discuss the many benefits of granite or to go over alternative options, call and schedule an appointment. We can visit your home, discuss design ideas and make recommendations as to the best ways for turning your vision into a reality.

Why Granite Countertops Are a Timeless Addition to Your Home

While granite countertops are not as trendy as they were a few years ago, they are still one of the best options available for kitchens, bathrooms, and any other regularly used rooms. Granite has many winning qualities, a few of which we have outlined below.

Granite Countertops Don’t Scratch and Are Heat Resistant

Granite is incredibly hard to scratch. This makes it an excellent choice for the kitchen. Occasional knife scrapes or even using your countertop as a cutting board will not affect granite to any extent, though it may dull your knives. You won’t have to worry about scratches ruining the look of your countertops, and you will never have to re-stain them because they are naturally colored. Granite is also impressively resistant to heat. When you are pulling pans out of the oven or moving pots off the stove, you won’t have to worry about slipping up and ruining your countertops by setting a hot pan on them. Granite can take the heat.

Granite Countertops Don’t Stain

No matter what color granite countertops you get, you won’t have to worry about them staining. With proper sealing, granite holds up to all brightly colored foods and drinks without a problem. Even if the sealant on your granite countertops was poorly done, most colors and patterns of granite are so intricate, stains will not be noticeable if they occur.

Granite Countertops Offer Many Design Choices

Since granite comes in a variety of colors and grains, you will be able to find the right granite for any color scheme, room design, or purpose. Granite comes in well over 20 shades. If you want your countertops to blend in and let your custom cabinets take center stage, granite works. If you would rather your countertops be the statement piece of your kitchen, granite is still an excellent choice. Even though granite countertops are very affordable, they look incredibly expensive and add a certain level of sophistication to any home. They are also timeless, so you won’t find yourself in need of picking out new counters just two years down the road.

Granite Countertops Are an Excellent Investment

If you are remodeling your kitchen, it is time to take it up a notch and add granite countertops. Due to its rich appearance, durable nature, and unique design, you will reap the benefits of investing in this countertop option if you ever decide to sell or rent out your home. Even if you never want to sell your house, granite countertops are still an excellent choice because they will wear gracefully over the years. Granite even stands up to the activities of children without a problem and will look beautiful for decades.

Thanks to the attractive qualities and low maintenance of granite countertops, they are found in many homes of people of all ages. Each slab of granite is naturally unique, meaning you will never find someone else with the same exact countertops as you. This beautiful material is one of our top recommendations for any home.

Granite Countertops vs. Marble and Laminate

If you are considering placing granite countertops in your home, you may be wondering how they compare with other materials. Granite is incredibly popular and has become the material of choice for many modern home buyers. Replacing both laminate and tile, you are more likely to find granite in new constructions now than in years past. Given the diversity of colors, styles, and design, it is no wonder that designers are also including them in remodels. Still, when you go to remodel your kitchen, you need to select a material that fits your needs, rather than just being a design trend. Here is what you need to know about granite and the comparable options.

Natural Materials

Both granite and marble are natural materials, unlike laminate. As something that is naturally occurring, there is a uniqueness to each slab. They are not manufactured in a lab to your or anyone’s exact specifications. This makes them incredibly interesting, and it can be fun to select your counters from a variety of options. However, if you need it to look an exact way, it could take some time to find the right counters, or you may need to temporarily put in laminate while you hunt for a slab of granite that you are absolutely in love with.

Durability

Granite countertops are the most durable when compared with marble and laminate. They are hardy and less likely to stain, chip, or crack than the other two. For the most part, granite is resistant to foods that are acidic as well. Marble can be made more durable with regular sealing. However, laminate is naturally prone to cracks and chips because of how thin it is. This is more likely to show on the corners or edges of the counters.

Cleanup

All three are fairly easy to clean, but they can also soak in the color of food or drinks that are placed on them. For this reason, you should clean them right away. Granite is the least likely to show stains, but you should still reseal it once every two years. Marble, on the other hand, need to be resealed twice every year. This makes the maintenance cost and time requirement much higher with marble.

Price

When it comes to cost, nothing is as inexpensive a laminate and it looks it. If you want your counters to look high-end or custom, laminate is not a good solution, since it is all about function and not design. Marble, on the other hand, can look very glamorous, but it is the most expensive of the three. Given its ability to chip or become stained, this is a better option for bathroom counters that are smaller and receive less use. For your kitchen, we recommend granite countertops because while they cost far more than granite, the cost is worth it. Your kitchen will look amazing, and your counters will last for years to come while still looking incredible. They stand the test of time, which means less remodeling cost in the future.

To learn more about granite countertops or your options, call us today.

A Guide to Granite Countertops

If you are interested in installing granite countertops for your home, there are a few things you should know. Granite is a durable material that will add a touch of glamor and sophistication to your kitchen. This simple touch can completely change the appearance of your space and make your kitchen appear far more modern. We can help you select the right type of granite countertops for your home. In the meantime, here are a few basic facts you should know.

Granite comes in a variety of colors. You are not limited to certain hues or patterns when working with granite. This makes it possible to find something that will enhance the design you have selected. While some of the more standard colors include white, black, or brown with other shades mixed in, you can also find granite that contains brilliant blues, greens, and even purple. While a few of the more unique shades cannot be purchased at your local home improvement store, we can help you to acquire them after learning of your specific request.

Your counters will be unique. Since granite occurs naturally, no two pieces look exactly the same. This means you will not run the risk of walking to your neighbors and seeing an identical countertop. It also means planning ahead is important. For example, if you remodel your kitchen without an island and later decide to add one, there is no guarantee you will be able to find a piece of granite that matches perfectly. Instead, we recommend you complete the entire project at the same time.

You can select the edge. When installing your granite countertops, we will need to know what type of edge you want. One of the more popular edges is the half bullnose because it is rounded at the top and flattens toward the bottom. It is the best type of edge if you are worried about small children and safety; it also does not stand out, so the focus remains entirely on your countertops. On the other hand, a big angle can stand out and become a statement in and of itself. The easiest way to decide is to look at samples in person. We can show you several types of edges so you can select the one you feel would best fit with your design tastes.

Installation is done within a day. When it is time to install your granite countertops, we can finish the process in around four hours. If you have a large kitchen or are also installing granite in a butler’s pantry, the process could take the whole day. Keep in mind that granite is incredibly heavy. This makes it important to clear a wide path and make sure everything is out of the way prior to the crew getting to your house. We suggest putting all small appliances away and any extra rugs or furniture until the installation is complete.
If you are ready to transform your kitchen, this is an excellent way to do so. To get started, call and schedule a consultation today.

A Guide To Granite Countertops

Whether they are buying a home or remodeling their kitchen, consumers almost always choose granite counter tops over those made from any other material.

With good reason.

Granite countertops not only have an extremely hard and naturally non-porous surface that resists staining, heat and scratches, but are available in an endless assortment of patterns and an array of colors that range from almost pastel to very vivid and striking. Considering its durability, versatility, and easy maintenance, it is little wonder that leading consumer magazines consistently rate granite as being the ultimate material for kitchen counters. In other words, although most materials have their advantages and disadvantages, granite countertops are head and shoulders above ceramic tile, stainless steel, butcher block and other manufactured surfaces.

How We Use Them

Granite is not only used for indoor and outdoor kitchen counter tops, but also for bathroom counter tops, shower and floor tile, patios, etc.

A Few Facts About Granite

Formed by volcanic activity, granite is primarily made up of quartz, mica, and feldspar... minerals that determine the color variations and movement in a block of granite. Granite is first blasted from quarries in large blocks and then sliced into slabs. It is then taken to a facility where the slabs are cut into thinner pieces, treated and polished. These slabs eventually make their way to your home to be a beautiful counter top.

Granite being one of the hardest and strongest materials in nature, is quite impressive in its ability to withstand constant use and wear and tear. Thus, the comparison to diamonds. Granite countertops are almost impossible to scratch and, as an added bonus, are heat and bacteria resistant. Additionally, stains don't pose a problem under normal use. Although it is scratch resistant, it is recommended that homeowners use a cutting board to avoid blunting kitchen knives. However, it should be noted that as a stone, granite is inflexible, and can be chipped or cracked if hit with a very heavy object so you should still treat it with care.

Choosing A Granite Counter Top

Because of the vast array of options available when considering granite counter tops, coordinating your counter top with your kitchen cabinets, faucet, appliances, walls and flooring to achieve the look and feel you desire, has never been easier. The vast array of colors available in granite is quite remarkable. You have your pick of soft beiges, golden browns, pale pinks to corals, deep plums, romantic reds, sleek and modern blacks, rich blues, exotic greens, stark whites and many, many other shades. No two granite samples are alike, because each block will have a flecked or pebbled appearance that varies in size, shape, and density, depending on the composition of quartz, crystals, and minerals in that particular stone.

After you have chosen (from a few thousand possible combinations) the color and pattern that best meets your design needs, you then pick the texture and finish you desire. Granite countertops come in honed, flamed and brushed finishes, with the most popular being a polished surface.  Granite is naturally beautiful, durable, and elegant, and no other natural stone can match the many unique features it offers. Granite countertops are an excellent choice for any remodel project you may be planning, one that you will enjoy it for many years to come.