The Beauty of Granite Countertops

If you are considering granite countertops, you probably already know that they make a lovely addition to any home, and the beauty of granite is certainly part of its appeal.  However, granite also possesses a uniqueness that makes choosing the material feel like you are installing a truly original material in your home.  

In fact, if a distinct look is what you have in mind, you are definitely headed in the right direction with granite.  Although the stone has become incredibly popular, each piece of granite is different from the next. Rest assured that you will be able to find the style that suits you in the vast array of patterns and colors available in granite countertops.

With that said, there are a lot of beautiful surfaces to choose from when it comes to natural stone, and if you are still on the fence about granite, this overview of its benefits and our summary of the choices you will have with granite may help you make a final decision.

Why is Granite a Good Choice?

In terms of sustainability, granite is one of the best choices out there.  The hardness of the stone actually places it in the ranks as the second toughest material in existence, just missing out on the top spot behind the diamond.  Essentially, this means your investment in granite will last for a long time, and a proper sealant can further ensure your granite countertops will provide you with a surface resistant to stains, scratches, and heat.

If you have them forever, you want your countertops to have a classic beauty that isn’t likely to lose its appeal with other home trends, and this is where another benefit of granite comes into play.  The material has a timeless appeal, both because of its beauty and its strength, which has made it a consistent choice for individuals seeking a quality material for the surfaces in their home.

Another benefit to granite comes from its minimal upkeep.  This material will not require constant maintenance, which is a very good quality when it comes to countertops.  Its strength and durability means you can be sure it won’t deteriorate, even in one of the most used rooms of the house.  Further, it will only take periodic sealing and regular cleaning with soap and water to keep your countertop surfaces looking good as new.

With all of these benefits, the last incentive you may have for installing granite in your home is the fact that it will actually increase the value of your property.  Even if you aren’t planning on selling your home in the near future, you can bet buyers will still be drawn to the strength and beauty of your granite countertops at any point in the future, and they will also pay a higher price for homes already upgraded with the material.

A Variety of Granite Options

Once you are convinced that granite is definitely the way you want to go for your new countertops, you will find that you have an almost unlimited supply of labels and options to choose from.  This can get overwhelming for some simply because of the huge number of granite styles involved, but it can be a little less daunting if you start narrowing down what you like in terms of granite colors, materials, and other custom options.

Pick a Color

The color of your granite countertops may be one of the easier decisions, although you may be surprised at the variety of colors that are actually available.  

You are probably familiar with the more natural shades of granite in brown and black tones, which are chosen quite often.  However, the sky is really the limit if you would like to broaden your horizons with a more unconventional granite color because you can find granite in nearly every color on the rainbow.  

You can also find a wide variety of color saturation and hue, all leading to a look that can be highly customized to match any color scheme you desire.

Choose between Slab or Tile

Along with choosing the color of your granite countertops, you will also have to come to a decision on the type of granite material you would like to use.  Typically, you will have two choices in terms of the granite material for your counters.

You may decide on a slab of natural granite, a popular choice in granite material because of its organic beauty and unique patterns.  Granite slabs are even further distinguished by their color and dimensions, which can vary greatly, depending on the origin of each individual slab of granite.  Although this adds to the one of a kind look of your granite countertops, choosing a natural slab of granite may make it more difficult for you to match the granite in the future, should you decide to add more granite later on.

Instead of the natural granite slab, some people choose to go with granite tiles for their countertops.  As their name would suggest, these are simply tiles composed of granite that are adhered to a separate countertop surface and then sealed to expose the beauty of the granite.  Using tiles as your granite material allows you to enjoy the countertop qualities that come with the slab, but your countertop may not ultimately possess the uniqueness that slab countertops are known for.  On the other hand, any replacements or additions that you may choose to make in the future will be much easier to match to a countertop created with granite tiles.

Pick an Edging Style

Your granite countertops can stand out on an even larger scale if you decide to customize them with a particular edging style.  As with granite color, you may be surprised again to find out that you have so many options in terms of edging, but edging styles can provide a variety of looks, ranging from elaborate and ornate to simple and classic.  

These looks are all represented in the various edging options available for granite countertops, and some of the most popular choices are eased, rounded, beveled, bullnose, ogee, dupont, and even chiseled edges.  

The right edging style will depend on the overall look and feel of your home as well as the color and material you have chosen to use.

No matter which choices you make between the color, material, and edging style, there is no doubt that your new granite countertops will be a great accessory for your home.

The post Elegance of Granite Countertops: A Comprehensive Guide first appeared on Marble Polishing Experts.