Have you ever stood at the edge of a quarry and looked down at the layers of rock deep within the earth? The rook looks impenetrable, like nothing that humans alone could do would harm it. After all, it takes high powered explosives to blast through all that rock and heavy duty equipment to maneuver it afterward.
Can you imagine having this kind of durability in your home? Fortunately you can with granite fcountertops. Skilled workers use saws with diamond cutting blades to slice through thick granite slabs. Once the granite is the right size, then they work to smooth the edges and polish the surface until it carries a high sheen that shows your reflection.
After your counter is ready, then you can do the work yourself to install it or have someone from the company that fabricated it come out to do the work. The latter is almost always the better choice for two reasons. First the work of installing a granite counter is labor intensive. And secondly, the sizing and measuring must be very precise.
Regardless of whether you are overhauling your entire kitchen or you are just ready for new countertops, you cannot go wrong with granite. It is a durable, safe choice that is good for everyone in your entire family, from the oldest out of town, holiday guests to the youngest new addition.
Why Choose Granite over Other Materials
There are so many reasons why you should choose granite countertops over other materials. In fact, some homeowners who enjoy granite countertops in their homes will tell you that the benefits are endless. Here are some of the more popular reasons why you might consider granite for your next countertop renovation project:
- VALUE – Granite countertops do not depreciate, so they never lose their value. Although they cost more than other counters, they last longer which makes them a better value over the course of owning your home.
- QUALITY – Granite is a natural surface with a unique appearance; no two counters look alike.
- SANITARY – Because the high polish does not allow liquids to soak into the stone, granite is one of the most sanitary choices for countertops as they resist contamination from bacteria.
- HEAT-RESISTANT – Moving a hot pan from the stove straight onto the counter would ruin other surfaces, but granite was formed by pressurized heat, allowing it to take the heat from things like hot pains or curling irons.
- EASY CLEANUP – Cleaning granite counters is easy. You need no special cleaners because you can use warm water and a mild detergent, like antibacterial dishwashing soap.
- DURABLE – Granite lasts forever, so you can be sure that your countertop will hold up to the toughest of situations. In the event that it does crack, such as having a hard object like a sharp cleaver dropped onto its surface, a granite countertop installer can repair it so that you will never know there was any damage.
- AESTHETIC – No two slabs of granite look alike, so having a granite countertop is like having a one of a kind piece of functional artwork in your home.
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY – Granite is literally a giant piece of rock. Having a granite countertop means you have a giant slab of rock in your home. You cannot get much more eco-friendly than this.
Granite Counters Are Not Just for Kitchens
Granite countertops are a superior choice for kitchens, especially if you do a lot of cooking or have a large, busy family that spends a lot of time in that area of your home. The kitchen, however is not the only area where you can benefit from installing a granite countertop, as several other rooms may benefit from them as well.
For example in the bathroom, a small piece of granite countertop makes a perfect vanity top because it resists heat from the curling iron or hair dryer. Top a freestanding kitchen island on casters with a granite counter and use it to cart items to and from the dining room when you entertain, such as during large holiday dinners.
Add a granite countertop to the cabinets in your laundry room. Not only will it withstand the heat of the dryer, but it is not likely to become scratched by zippers or buttons from clothes that get piled onto its surface. A granite countertop will also hold up to the humidity from the washing machine and the arid heat radiating from the dryer as the clothes tumble dry.
Granite countertops come in a wide range of natural, earthy colors. This makes them the perfect choice for a garage or a man cave because it symbolizes the “tough guy” atmosphere that these spaces suggest. You might also consider granite countertops for an outdoor barbecue area, as the stone is weatherproof.