Finding the right granite worktop that coincides with the proper price

Granite worktop pricing by and large needs to be well thought of, particularly when you map to fit all your expenses within a budget. Always keep in mind to choose granite worktops wisely since it is not feasible to constantly keep changing them.

First of all, there are a lot of online and traditional markets to get them and the price on granite worktops usually differs from one supplier to another. Knowing the size and the use you have for granite is perhaps a good start to know the amount you should be setting aside.

Measure the size of your slabs to know the amount of the granite you want to use. Price is by and large determined by the amount that you would actually need. The bigger the cut of granite, the more expensive it would probably be as well.

Measure the thickness you would need. By actually identifying what you will be putting on top of your granite is also a smart thing to know. Certain uses of granite worktops need certain thickness in the cut as well. For example, if you are going to use the granite as a countertop for your kitchen, you would need a thicker granite worktop for it to look nice and be assured that it is sturdy for kitchen activities.

Have an idea of the design you want for a kitchen worktop. The good thing is that you do not need to design the granite itself, they are usually presented with different designs, patterns, textures and colours to choose from.

Frequently asked questions about Granite Worktops

Why is granite the best stone for kitchen counters?
The elegance and style offered by this natural stone to kitchens, baths and other areas is unparallel to any other variety of stones found on this earth. The richness and properties like high resistance to heat, cracks and scratches makes this stone the best option to use fearing no problem while carrying out your daily kitchen activities.

Are Granite worktops expensive than other synthetic stones?
Wisely speaking - Yes! But the cost you pay to buy these pieces is worth every penny than repeatedly paying for the replacements that you will make after installing some other synthetic stones. However, improved stone-working technology has made granite countertops very affordable as compared to the other cheap man made hard surface materials available in the market. Moreover, with the installation of granite kitchen worktops in your home you will get the resale benefits too as the value of your property will increase.

The granite delivered to me does not resemble exactly to what I had been shown as a sample. Why is this difference?
If you have seen the sample on the computer, the samples will differ a bit in colour due to the variations in computer monitors and software. Granite is a natural stone created by the forces of nature. These natural stones are composed of various minerals hence the reason why they can be found in wide varieties of colour, veining, texture and patterns.

Is it possible to cantilever granite slabs?
Yes, with a large enough piece and with proper support on the fixed end you can cantilever granite up to 12 inches. Make sure not to cantilever unsupported granite where it might receive excessive stress. If there are chances of stress like someone sitting on the granite counter, you must have some support underneath for such situations.

I have heard people saying that granite can harbour bacteria? Is there any truth in it?
The CDC (center for disease control and prevention) has never come up with any records for granite worktops harbouring bacteria and there have never been any reports of people getting ill from bacteria in granite. Regular cleaning is all it needs to be approved and used in food and medical applications.

Granite - A Combination of style and beauty.

These days, various different types of tiles and stones are used to beautify the homes and offices. When we consider tiling for kitchen, bathroom, floor etc., granite tiles leave all other competitors behind and come on the top. Features like smooth-shiny surface, resistance, toughness and durability when compared to other types of tiles, makes granite tiles fit for use in your offices and homes. Granite worktops and tiles are among the most admired building resources that are used for designing and decorating the interior of a building. Granite is the most appropriate material for your kitchen worktops and floors since it is highly long-lasting and can resist dust particles.

It really doesn’t matter where you want to use the granite; it is surely going to serve you for a very long period of time. Due to its outstanding qualities, granite has become the first choice for the architects as well as people in the construction business. Today, every person wants to make his/her house appear as good-looking as it can be, so whenever you plan to remodel your kitchen you will make your best endeavor to make your kitchen attractive. Granite tiles are best material that can be used to make your house or office stunning and classy.

Granite looks very glossy and soft particularly after polishing; that is why it is suitable for floors, kitchen worktops and sinks. The surface of the granite tiles becomes really smooth when polished and helps in giving an elegant look to your kitchen. Numerous websites are offering granite tiles at very low price; you just need to visit any online granite store where you will find the catalogue of the granite tiles, containing all the necessary details about the prices, colors and other essential features of the granite tiles presently available in the market.

Why Invest In Granite Worktops?

Have you ever thought why granite is the most popular choice for kitchen worktops and countertops? Here are some reasons why!

No two pieces of granite are exactly same thus giving a unique look altogether and providing a unique design element to your kitchen. The richness and texture that granite can add to your kitchen is unparallel to any other surfaces found.

A granite worktop all in all adds a character to your kitchen worktops – a personality with brilliance and elegance that can only be found in nature.

Granite stones are available in hundreds of colours, in variety of shades and textures of black, white, browns, blues, reds, greens etc. The most popular colour choices are black and various shades of brown.

Granite worktops make an excellent surface for rolling out dough, chopping and other kitchen work. The polished surface of granite does not wear off easily and is resistant to heat, stains and other external forces.

The natural beauty of the granite stones makes them capable of complimenting any tone of wood and the interior ambience of the house.

With granite worktops as an affordable option with you, remodeling an existing kitchen will for sure add to the value of your home

Looking out for a cheap and best granite deals? - Consider these tips

Check out the thickness of the granite slabs offered in the bid - 1-1/4" is usually considered to be the standard granite thickness in construction industry. The thinner granite types are usually used in bathrooms and laundry rooms. Thinner varieties are no good to be used as kitchen worktops or counter tops. So make sure that the thickness of the granite is included on the bid offered to you.

Granite slab pattern viewing - One variable that should not be ignored is to check the quality and pattern of the granite in the cost of completing granite. Not all of the standard granite slabs are the same. There are shops that use every square inch of the granite available regardless of the pattern. However you will never appreciate to have such parts on your kitchen island. If you can get the view of the slab you are purchasing and layout your project on the slab, you can see how the granite flows before it gets fabricated and installed.

Edge detail also needs to be taken into consideration as different edges take different amounts of time to fabricate. To get the most accurate bid, pick up the edge detail you wish to have and have it priced with that edge.

Granite cut-outs and Granite Sealer – Many companies charge per cut-out needed in the granite. Study your cut-out requirements (cut-outs for sink, faucets etc) and ask for it to be priced accordingly. Also make sure that you choose the bid that provides you with at least 15 year sealer to keep your granite sealed and protected.

Granite Delivery and Installation – The last and important thing to look out for is the installation and sales tax. Make sure that your granite worktops bid includes the deliver charges, installation charges and the sales tax.

Factors that affect the price of granite slabs

We all know that using granite in any home improvement work is not a cheap preposition. That is why it is important to help people understand some of the costs and realize that Granite worktops are a luxury and beautiful addition to your home as well as an investment.

There are four major factors that seem to affect the price of the granite stones.

1) The country of a particular granite stone’s origin.

2) Hardness: This factor majorly affects the granite price. Hard granite would require expensive diamond tooling to quarry, cut, shape and polish as compared to the softer varieties.

3. The cost of shipping and receiving the granite from the ports.

4) Supply and demand of the particular varieties of granite stones. Low quality and less attractive granite is always cheap and visa-versa.

Buying Granite over the Internet.

You should do a little research before you decide to purchase what should be the dream worktop for your kitchen Here are a few points that consumers buying granite worktops over the internet should be aware of.:

1. Granite stones vary in quality and not all granite is the same quality. Some types have been seen varying quite a lot.
   
2. Some granites put up for sale over the internet, may bear the same name as those stones seen in granite showrooms and the supplier may even say it's the best quality, but if it is ultra cheap, believe me - it certainly won’t be the same quality!
3. One thing that you need to keep in mind is with the surface colors and blemishes which could be visible within the granite stone. Several other problems can also be present, including; fissures or fault lines in the granite. Make sure the granite supplied to you does not greatly differ from its natural colour and pattern profile that is commonly seen with that type of granite stone.
   
4. In lower grades of granite, problems like blemishes and fault lines can be extremely noticeable thus spoiling the overall effect of the surface colour and pattern. The better manufacturers will always make sure to treat the lines and blemishes by cutting around and confining these faulty stone to the waste pile. But the cheap suppliers cannot afford to cut out all problem marks and blemishes, or their profit would also be in the waste pile.
5. Some cheaper varieties of granite may also vary in colour across a batch or even a single piece which may look ugly as your worktop may not have a fluent colour flow across the joints. But for the cheap suppliers it is very difficult to reject such granite and they can put it for sale with the name of “cheap affordable quality granite” and still make a profit.