Buying Granite Countertops? Follow These 4 Tips
In 2015, statistics show that granite was the favored material among countertop options among 45 percent of homeowners when they were renovating their kitchens. If you're planning a kitchen renovation, here are a few things you should know:
1. Shop by Slabs, Not by Samples.
When you buy granite countertops, you aren't buying just a sample. You are buying an entire slab. Therefore, that's exactly how you should shop. In a slab of granite, there are so many intricacies and you want to be able to see all of the rarities of the granite before you decide which slab you want to purchase. In most cases, you will be able to get more than one slab from the same exact lot, which will allow you to get slabs of very similar colors and designs.
2. Measure First, Then Let the Fabricator Finalize.
While you may want full reign over everything since this is your kitchen, you need to let others take control over the granite countertop process. Granite is always sold by the square foot. This is something that you can measure on your own initially. Head to your kitchen and measure each and every section where you will need countertop, including the backsplash. Measure both the width and the length, then multiply these numbers together for each section. Once you're done, add these numbers together. This is the approximate square footage of granite that you need. You will need to give this to a granite salesperson to "hold" your granite slab. Once your kitchen cabinets and appliances are installed, a granite fabricator will come to your home and take more final measurements before cutting your granite.
3. Don't Forget to Request Fewer Seams.
While you may assume that a fabricator will do a seamless job, it is important that you never assume anything. The fewer the seams, the better your kitchen is going to look. This is because the color won't be as interrupted throughout the granite and the flow of the pattern will continue beautifully. It also holds far more value when there are no (or fewer) seams.
4. Take Care of the Granite After Installation.
Granite is very particular. While it is relatively simple to clean and it is somewhat resistant to heat, it does have the ability to scratch, stain, chip and crack. Therefore, it is important that you use hot pads, avoid acidic cleaning products and bleach and clean up spills quickly. It is also a good idea to consider purchasing and applying a granite sealer regularly.
For more information, contact a business such as Alma Granite.