Many homeowners are so excited to get a kitchen or bathroom renovation project underway that they often forget a few essential factors that can impact the success – or failure – of the entire process. When they do this, they often only cost themselves even more money down the road, trying to rectify something that could have been avoided altogether.
One factor many people don’t consider is that the granite slab they receive in their home isn’t exactly the same as the display piece they see in a designer’s showroom. As a result, any homeowners discover the color, texture, or pattern in the granite installed in their kitchen or bathroom isn’t exactly what they thought it would look like. There are some who then go on to blame this on a “mix up” from the supplier, but the fact is, each granite slab is different, which is why it is so important to see your actual slab before buying it.
Samples are Just that – Samples
One of the first things to remember when you are shopping for a granite slab is that the examples seen in designer’s showrooms or even online or in a magazine are just that – samples. The appearance of a slab can change based on several factors. Lighting is one of the biggest contributors to what a granite slab looks like. As a result, the exact same slab may appear a different color under the artificial lights in a kitchen showroom compared to your home. Even if a slab is from the same quarry, it can still differ in pattern, movement, and color, when compared to the others.
Visiting the Stone Yard
One of the very best ways to ensure you get the exact granite slab you want for your home is to visit the stone yard before the slab is moved, cut, or finished. If you are working with a fabricator who doesn’t suggest this, then you may need to mention it to them. It is perfectly acceptable to go pick out your slab with your own eyes. After all, it is going in your home, so you want to ensure you are completely satisfied with the slab installed.
When you visit the actual stone yard, there are several factors you need to pay attention to, to ensure you get the slab you want for your kitchen.
Availability and Color
Some styles and colors of granite are much rarer than others, which makes them more expensive. As with any other product, the demand for the slab dictates how much it is going to cost. Usually, the price increases as the granite gets more exotic and rare. The fact is, when looking at the higher priced slabs, you are going to find more colorful and exciting pieces. The key is to determine your budget first, which can help you figure out how exotic and rare you can go with the granite slab purchase.
Slab Size
Another important consideration when choosing a slab is how big it is. You need to figure out how large your countertops are and if seams are needed. In most cases, the fewer seams, the better. Some kitchens require the use of more than one slab to cover the counter surfaces. If this is the case, it is best to have slabs that were consecutively cut and that come from the same lot.
Quality of the Granite
The granite slabs available for use as kitchen countertops are offered in different strengths or qualities. The higher the quality of the slab, the higher the price goes. Every granite supplier has their definition of quality, so it is best to understand what conditions the provider has ranked and compared.
The Bottom Line
The fact is, if you fail to lay eyes on your granite slab before it going into your home, you may find you are disappointed with the results. This can lead to a case of buyer’s remorse. However, you can easily avoid this, as well. All you need to do is schedule a time to look at the various granite slabs available before they are cut or finished. This allows you to see the slab in person and determine whether or not it is right for your home renovation project.