Granite Kitchen Countertops Provide Beauty and Durability
Granite kitchen countertops are a stylish feature that combines the durability and beauty of natural stone. Countertops must endure a great amount of wear and tear as they are subjected to abrasive materials, moisture, extreme temperatures and other stresses. As one of nature’s densest and hardest materials, granite is the ideal choice for the kitchen.
The Granite Extraction Process
Granite is cut from large blocks extracted from the earth by several methods. One of these involves the use of huge chisels that separate the granite from the surrounding stone, which loosens the granite at its natural joints and facilitates dislodging. After removal, the granite is cut to size, usually with wire saws treated with a variety of abrasives and/or water jet cutting, and is then polished into the familiar forms used for countertops. The slabs are gauged to ensure they are square and calibrated to ensure uniform thickness.
Choosing the Right Granite Color for Your Kitchen
Should you make your granite selection based on the color of the sample? This video from Marble.com recommends looking at the entire slab before you buy:
What to Expect During Installation
Once the granite countertops are delivered to your kitchen, the installer will check the measurements and drawings of your installation space and your sink and fixtures to make sure the granite surface will fit your space. If further cutting is required, the installer can complete the task and minimize the mess by using a hand-held diamond-bladed radial saw with a vacuum attachment. By performing a dry-run (laying down the granite on the base cabinet without fastening), the installer can determine what additional cutting needs to be done.
Especially valuable to the installer are the templates of cook tops and sinks that are typically provided with those items when purchased. Based on the measurements taken in your kitchen, new templates may be created. Once the measurements have been determined, the granite countertop can be installed over a sub-counter made from plywood, with a vapor barrier between the granite and the sub-counter. The granite is held in place using a grade 2-part epoxy which may be mixed with a color resin that best matches your countertop. Any leftover granite pieces can be used for custom-made bread boards, coasters or parts of a backsplash.
Granite Kitchen Countertop Products
Pedra Modular Granite Countertops is an affordable choice for a DIY project. They come in Kashmir Gold, Desert Brown, Tan Brown and Diana Green colors and can be purchased in intermediate, end or inside corner sets. Prices range from approximately $95 to $180 per kit. Centaur Granite Countertops are an elegant and more expensive option. This product comes in Misty Brown, Venetian Gold, Golden Yellow, Uba Tuba, Tan Brown and Black Galaxy colors and in various thicknesses and sizes. Prices range from approximately $110 to $280 per piece. Pedra and Centaur are sold at BuildDirect.
The Home Depot sells M.S. International Polished Granite Tile in two colors: Giallo Fantasia (traditional gold colored with pepperlike specks) and Black Galaxy (contemporary black with glittering golden flakes. Tiles measure 31″ L x 18″ W with a 1/2″ thickness and are suitable for countertop, floor and wall use. The Giallo Fantasia is priced at $9.99 per square foot, while the Black Galaxy is priced at $14.99 per square foot.
