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With so many countertop options to choose from, it can be quite intimidating to finally make the decision to get a countertop for your bathroom or kitchen. There’s a lot of thinking that goes into picking a countertop but the most important one is picking the type of material that should grace your home’s interior.
For one, there are two primary types of countertops to choose from. Those are natural stone countertops and synthetic countertops. While natural stone countertops are generally more expensive, they are also the better option as well. That’s why if you have the budget for it, you should definitely consider natural stone.
One of the most popular countertops to date is granite. Granite is a natural stone countertop that used to be at the top of the chain when it comes to home countertops. However, heavy supply and demand problems resulted in the countertop to drop in popularity. Of course, another factor is that countertops like marble and quartz have started to emerge too.
As a countertop material, granite is many things. It’s beautiful, durable, and most importantly, affordable as well. It’s a good choice for anyone and it’s definitely a countertop that you should consider getting as well. Again, it’s not enough to simply say that you want a granite countertop, you need to understand that there are many factors affecting getting the perfect one too.
From thickness to color, you will be learning about the important factors and aspects of a granite countertop that you need to worry about when picking granite as a countertop for your home. Without further ado, here’s a look into what you should consider once you finally make this step.
Picking The Color
Granite countertops come in a wide selection of colors. When picking a color for your granite countertop, there are a lot of things to consider as well. For one, you need to make sure that the color matches your home’s decor. Does it fit well with the kitchen cabinets? The floors? The other fixtures?
Generally, you get to choose between dark and light colored granite countertops. Of course, there are more color options as well. Granite comes in over 50 different colors and that’s not even considering the veining of the countertop as well. However, it’s often best to narrow down your choice between light and dark countertops first.
Dark countertops are good because for one, they don’t look dirty easily and they are also perfect for various kitchen decors. Dark colors are very easy to match with oms but that depends on the color you pick. Real dark colors like black are easy to pair but if you go for red, blue, or something else, the matching becomes a lot harder.
On the other hand, you have light countertops. While these are easier on the eyes and are a lot easier to pair with home decor, they also get dirty a lot easier. Light colored countertops are not really perfect for homeowners that don’t always have the time to clean and look after their kitchen so make sure you are prepared for this.
The Granite Pattern
Granite comes in a few pattern options. This aspect of granite countertop selection is purely about aesthetic and design so you don’t really have to put a lot of thought into it. Still, it would be great to get a countertop that looks exactly how you want it to look like. Generally, there are three patterns of granite countertops to consider.
There are actually three primary granite patterns to choose from – solid, speckled, and marbled. It all really depends on what type of design you want for your kitchen. The pattern doesn’t really do anything when it comes to design and functionality so take your time and learn more about granite countertop patterns well.
Some people prefer solid granite instead as it really emphasizes the color of the countertop you pick. It can be boring for the taste of some though. Another popular option is marbled as it makes the granite countertop resemble marble a lot more. It’s affected by veining and in most cases, it really does look good as a countertop option.
Picking The Perfect Thickness
Yes, the thickness of the countertop matters as well. The thickness can dictate many things about your countertop including its overall price, its functionality, and its design too. There are a few thickness options to choose from and they range between 2cm to 4cm. Here’s why it matters to choose the thickness well.
The thicker the countertop is, the more expensive it’s going to be. On the other hand, thicker countertops also mean more durability too so this isn’t exactly a bad option. As for design, thick countertops often leave a lot to be desired and they are much easier on the eyes as well. You can also use thicker countertops to easily show off the color of the countertop.
2cm countertops are the thinnest money can buy. They aren’t exactly good for the kitchen as they are thin and they aren’t as durable as other countertop options. However, they do cost a lot less than others and they look far better than others too. Basically, it adds a unique minimalist flair to the kitchen.
3cm countertops have been the gold standard when it comes to granite thickness. They are just the right size in terms of durability and yet they still look great inside your home. In terms of budget, 3cm countertops are easily one of the cheapest money can buy and you should definitely consider this as the best option.
4cm countertops are the thickest and most durable. Of course, this also means that they are also the most expensive options as well. Many homeowners believe that 4cm thickness is overkill when it comes to durability which is why they prefer 3cm countertops instead. Still, 4cm is an option worth considering too.
What type of thickness you get completely depends on what you want and need for your kitchen. It’s best to talk with your contractor about which thickness is the best. Remember, this is an important choice so make sure to consider it heavily. This is possibly even more important than the granite color that you pick.
Tile Or Slab
You can get granite in two forms, slabs or tiles. Each form of granite comes with its benefits but when it comes to it, you really need to consider the design when it comes to how it should be installed and delivered at home. Let’s first talk about slab granite and why it’s often the better choice.
Slab countertops of granite are granite in their purest form. It is cut directly from quarries and it doesn’t undergo any other processes aside from polishing and sealing. These are more expensive but most importantly, they are harder to install as well as you’re handling a solid slab of granite. You definitely need to have others do the installment if you choose slab.
Tiles, on the other hand, are a lot cheaper and are also easier to install. In fact, people can install tile granite themselves if they want to. It’s not really a good option because it can degrade the value of your granite. Of course, tiled granite countertops don’t increase in value over time as well.
Picking The Fabricator
Last but not the least, you need to pick the marker and installer of your countertop well. This is an important matter to discuss too as these dictate the price of the granite countertop, as well as the time it can take for them to install the countertop in your home. Some fabricators are easier to deal with.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to only deal with fabricators that are already established and trusted within the industry. This is big money we are talking about after all so it’s only a must that you invest your money with people that are guaranteed to provide you with not just quality granite, but also with quality service as well.
In most cases, fabricators are going to help you find the perfect countertop for your home which is why it’s more important to find good fabricators that really care about output.
As you can see, a lot of thinking should go into picking a countertop for your home. Whether it’s granite, marble, or quartz you are thinking about, being an informed buyer is the key to finding the perfect countertop for your home. Hopefully, this guide does well in helping you find that perfect countertop.
Since this is a major investment we are talking about, it’s only a must that you do your best to ensure that you are getting the best countertop for your home. You need a countertop that you’ll be satisfied with for years and decades to come. It’s not really practical to continue replacing your countertops at home.
At Granite Expo, you are confident that your needs will be promptly and accurately met with the help of our duly trained, licensed, and bonded technicians. Call us now or feel free to check us on Yelp!