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If you are considering purchasing some new countertops, you are probably wondering about granite countertops and if they are the right choice for your kitchen ideas. There are many choices of granite countertops in Alexandria, VA, and it is good to have some knowledge about granite and other materials before making a purchase.
One good step in picking out the right countertops is to talk with a granite countertops service in Alexandria, VA. You can even go into a showroom and have a look at the granite they offer to see if it might be a good fit for you. Some of the best granite countertops services in Alexandria will make the granite shopping experience a joy.
To help you learn a little bit more about granite kitchen countertops in Alexandria, VA, we have created this article with some of the best reasons to choose granite countertops. After reading this you will have a lot more knowledge so that you can make the right decision for your home.
The Natural Beauty Of Granite
One of the most common rocks found in the earth’s crust, granite has been used as a building material for thousands of years. It is characterized by its large grains which often have shiny flakes in them. There are so many great granite colors like white, black, red, pink and grey.
Some of the most famous mountains in the USA are made of granite, like Mt Rushmore in South Dakota, the White Mountains of New Hampshire where people love to view the leaves change colors and even El Capitan in Yosemite which challenges rock climbers with its impressive face.
Wouldn’t you love to have a granite stone countertop made from some of the same rock that makes up some of the most beautiful natural sights in the country? Granite is a truly amazing natural material that will make your home beautiful like our national parks.
You can find a color and pattern of granite to match almost any design you have in mind for your kitchen, and it makes for a really elegant and beautiful home furnishing. Granite is a very versatile material that makes it very popular especially when renovating your kitchen in Alexandria.
A Durable Material
Granite is one of the hardest materials that you can choose for your kitchen countertops, which helps whether you are chopping dishes or accidentally drop a heavy bowl. Kitchen countertops can really take a beating over the years especially with good kitchen cabinet design, so choosing an extremely hard material like granite is a smart investment.
One way to measure the hardness of stones is with Moh’s hardness scale. Granite scores between a six and an eight on Moh’s scale, and the scale goes between one and ten, so granite is pretty high up there.
For a quick comparison, diamond scores a ten on the hardness scale, but you probably won’t find diamond countertops anywhere. Marble, one of the other popular countertop materials, scores three to four, so it is not even that close to as hard as granite. Limestone scores three to four, travertine scores four to five, slate scores two and a half to four and soapstone scores just one.
As you can see, granite is just about the hardest natural stone you can find for your kitchen countertops. When you choose granite for your countertops, you are choosing a material that is going to stand up to any sort of accident you can throw its way.
Granite Countertops Hold Their Value
When you invest in granite countertops, you are making a long term investment that just keeps getting cheaper for you every year. It may seem like you are paying a lot for them upfront, but they will last your whole life, and when you spread the cost over that many years, it makes granite seem pretty darn cheap. This is also why most of the remodeling contractors in Alexandria VA are using it.
Not only are they inexpensive, but if you ever decide to sell your home, you will attract more buyers because they will see that you installed quality materials. If a home buyer has a chance to purchase a home with granite countertops, that could be the deciding factor that makes them put in that higher offer that will make you that much happier.
If by chance you happened to want to get rid of your granite countertops, you would most likely find someone who would want to buy them from you for a fairly good price. People are always looking for good deals on building materials, and granite is something that can be reused for many years.
You won’t only enjoy using your granite countertops, they will be an asset that you can count on to not go down in value. With the beauty of granite and durability, you are making a great investment.
Low Maintenance
A truly amazing feature of granite countertops is that they require so little maintenance. After granite countertops are sealed, you probably won’t have to do anything except keep them clean with the help of a professional cleaning company in alexandria va.
There are two things you should look out for and one is to not let liquids sit on the surface of your granite countertops for too long. If a liquid doesn’t dry on its own after an hour, it is best to make sure that it gets dried with a paper towel or a sponge.
Another thing to watch out for is that acidic liquids or food could etch granite if it sits on the countertop for too long. This leaves a dull looking spot that is easy enough to repair, but is much easier to prevent than to have to fix.
If you do need to fix an etch mark on granite, you simply purchase an etch removal kit from the hardware store. Etching does not damage granite except in terms of the appearance, but it is something to watch out for.
So for the most part, granite is a low maintenance material that you will hardly have to do anything for. It will keep looking great for many years with just a little cleaning.
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!