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Granite Countertops
By Jason Gluckman, Fri Dec 9th
Home remodelers and builders have experienced a boom in thedemand for granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. Thebeauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material foraesthetic appeal in home design, and the durability and easycare of granite countertops keeps them a favorite for homeownerswho are looking into the future. Though adding granitecountertops to any kitchen can be quite costly, they remain thepremiere choice in upscale homes, as they retain their valuebetter than most other improvements. Granite, like marble and other popular stones, are as old as theearth. Granite is found all over the world. As a preferredmaterial, granite was used in the construction of temples andother public buildings in ancient societies. In the recent pastmany builders continued to use granite for pillars and exteriorfinishes. Stone suppliers didn’t begin experimenting withpolished granite until 1831. The preference for polished granitebegan in 1851, when a finished piece of granite was displayed inLondon at The Great Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations. Granite makes an excellent medium for countertops, as it is themost durable of all stones. The hardness of granite is rivaledonly by the hardness of diamonds. The durability and versatilityof granite countertops makes it a favorite of professional andhome chefs. Granite can withstand the placement of a hot pot andserves as an excellent surface for handling doughs andconfectionery. The natural beauty of granite countertopscomplement any tone of wood or style of cabinetry, from Frenchcountry to sleek modern styles. Granite is an attractive stonethat adds color and warmth to any room.
A popular choice of designers for decades, granite countertopshave now become popular with the public. There are literatelyhundreds of colors of granite, from variations of white throughbrowns, reds, greens, blues, and black. Brown and beige tonesare the most popular, as they work well with most any kitchencolor scheme, allowing greater flexibility in redecorating overthe years. Some of the granite colors exhibit ""movement,"" or adesign within the natural color. Movement from large patternscan carry the eye quickly over the surface of the countertop,while small patterns have a more sedate appearance. Thecombination of color and movement means that no two countertopsare exactly the same. While granite countertops are a favorite choice due to theirbeauty and durability, they are not impervious to damage.Regular care includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers toprevent staining. Although granite is quite hard, it can beeasily be chipped. A skilled professional can perform repairsthat are nearly invisible. Granite countertops can cost more than other countertopmaterials, with prices starting at $60 a square foot installed.The majority of
the cost is not in the stone, but in the quarrywork, cutting, transportation, polishing and installations. Itis not recommended that the do-it-yourself homeowner to take onthis project. Despite the strength of granite, the oversizedslab sheets must be precisely cut to fit the counters, and arevery delicate when transported. Special care must be taken toreinforce the base cabinets, and the slab must be set perfectlylevel. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could causeit to break during regular use. When a homeowner desires the utility of granite countertops, butis unable or unwilling to pay a premium, discounted granite forcountertops may be a good option. Retailers maintain groupingsor tiers of stone based on popularity of color and movement.Lower tiered cuts of stone maintain the consistentcharacteristics granite is known for, but the shade of a colormay vary according to current fashion trends. Granitecountertops will continue to remain a favorite of homeowners,architects and interior designers. The ageless beauty anddurability of granite makes it a home improvement treasure tolast a lifetime. About the author:GraniteCountertops provides detailed information on granite kitchenand tile countertops, advice on installing and cleaning granitecountertops, information on price and locations to purchasediscount granite counter tops, and more. Granite Countertops isthe sister site of Kitchen Sinks Web.
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