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Granite

Sep 06 2022

How to Choose the Best Granite Countertop for My Kitchen

Suppose you want to add a dash of richness, warmth, and sophistication to your kitchen. In that case, you cannot go wrong with granite countertops. Besides their aesthetic value, granite countertops give you a substantial presence with durability and permanence—and they are a breeze to clean and upkeep. However, you want to look at all angles to ensure that granite is the right fit for your room. We spill handy design tips to help you choose the best granite countertop for your kitchen.

17 Design Tips When Reviewing Granite Countertop Options

Use these design tips to find a countertop that ticks all the right “functionality boxes” and acts as a focal design point in your room. Before installing the countertop of choice in your kitchen, consider the following to narrow down your options:

General Aesthetic Tips

Do you want granite that makes a statement with a lot of movement and a heavily patterned stone that will be a showstopper? Or a quieter option that won’t limit your décor too much?

  • Don’t just pick the first one you like in terms of appearance. Before you go to the showroom to see it, review your home and kitchen’s existing design qualities. Keep a list of key features in mind. Look at your room’s layout, spaciousness, flooring and décor, ambiance, and existing design. You either want something that perfectly complements this or one that provides a quirky contrast. Consult your contractor before finalizing your countertop, as professional input can help here.
  • See the stone in person rather than from an online image or a picture that will not do it justice. When it comes to granite countertops, the texture and how it feels are as crucial as how it looks.
  • Be mindful of your home lighting. Before picking your countertop, remember that what looks good under the specially curated store lights might look very different at home.
  • Also, consider how your current paint job measures against various countertop options. Or, even if you’re open to changing the room color, ensure the new one works well with your countertop.
  • You can pick between solid, speckled, and marbled options as far as design goes. Granite is a natural stone, and all granite slabs have variations that lend a unique character. Opt for stones from the same quarry to increase your chances of achieving a consistent look, but expect that there will still be variations between the slabs. Solid granite options are the most consistent and have fewer variations than speckled or marbled options. Solid granite is perfect for smaller kitchens, where the busier the surface, the smaller the room can look.
  • Are you looking for a conversation starter? Add drama to your kitchen by selecting marbled granite, which comes in exotic colors with veins and swirls that make a style statement.
  • If you want granite that perfectly sets off your solid cabinetry and one that has texture and color options, look for speckled granite countertops.
  • If you want to reduce the sparkle and keep things classy but subdued, look at honed granite countertops with a matte finish.
  • A glossy finish is the most popular granite countertop because it is one of the most affordable and low maintenance requiring very little upkeep over the years. The other advantage is that it can lend your kitchen a sense of spaciousness and airiness as its glossy surface reflects light beautifully.

Light Countertops

  • Light-colored granite can make a space look larger and is especially good in rooms where there isn’t too much natural light.
  • It’s hard to go wrong with just about any shade of white granite. Look for options with depth to avoid giving your kitchen a one-dimensional, lifeless feel, which can happen when white isn’t well thought out.

Dark Countertops

  • If you’re opting for bold, vibrant hues, tone the rest of the look down with neutral cabinetry and floors.
  • Be careful with dark shades in smaller rooms. For example, you might love the elegance a black granite countertop gives your kitchen, but if it’s a small room, it will serve to make it look even smaller. But there are ways to make it work; you can pair black granite with an all-white room to give it a classic sophistication.
  • Ask yourself how much you will use your countertop. If you select a dark shade like black, thinking it will be perfect for hiding spills, marks, and stains, you may be surprised to learn that black shows as much damage and mess as a lighter color.

Countertop Details

  • Slabs are perfect if you want to avoid prominent grout lines or seams, but you can also swap them for tiles, which can work beautifully.
  • Pay attention to your edges and pick the one that offers the feel you want your kitchen to reflect. Do you want a classic beveled edge or an intricate triple waterfall? There are multiple options, so consider what works best for your room.

Contact Us Today

Picking the best granite countertops is almost like picking a classic pair of jeans, albeit it’s a far more extravagant investment. But just like jeans, you need to find one that’s the perfect fit for you and your home. It doesn’t matter if it appeals to others or how that countertop would look in another house. And just like your fave pair of jeans, it’s something that will last, and the older it gets, the more beautifully it ages and becomes an integral part of your kitchen. But picking out the right design is not an easy task, as you’ve seen. So put yourself in the best position you can be in by getting the right expertise on your side. GranitePro is here to help you take on this project from start to finish to give your kitchen that luxe and long-tasting touch the right countertop can provide. Contact us today to see how we can install a dependable, permanent, and stunning granite countertop.

Categorized: Countertops, Granite

Aug 04 2022

Quality Granite Countertops vs. Cheap Granite Countertops

We know that you cannot go wrong with stunning granite countertops when it comes to adding a dash of glam to your home. Apart from looking spectacular, granite comes in a range of colors, each with depth, flecks, and swirls that give it a unique character and make it the focal point of any room. In addition, this natural stone is quarried straight from the earth, is highly durable, long-lasting, and resistant to stains, scratches, and moisture, making it a homeowner’s dream material. But with all these fantastic advantages the stone has, one thing you do need to remember is that not all granite slabs are created equal. And to get all the benefits this stone offers, you need to pay close attention to the quality of the stone you pick.

Granite isn’t a cheap option, so the allure of cutting corners while still showcasing this countertop in your home is tempting, but in the long run, cheap granite countertop slabs will set you back more in terms of cost and function. So, how do you pick a high-quality slab? We tell you how to do just this.

Understanding Different Grades of Granite

Granite comes in multiple grades, which makes it easier to differentiate between the slabs. These range from cheap granite countertops slabs to higher-end options.

When shopping for granite you may find vendors supply different “grades” of granite. It may be levels 1,2,3 or A, B, C. Long story short, these are simply categories that the fabricator creates to simplify pricing. Technically, they should have no indication of the overall quality of the granite.

Factors that typically affect the “grade” of the material are consistency (slab yield), abundance, where it is quarried from, and overall cost of purchase. What you’re looking for as the differentiating factors are veins, the pitting you can see, colors, porosity, thickness, how it appears visually, and other similar markers. For instance, if you talk about thickness, the stones are naturally very thick when quarried from the earth. But manufacturers often cut them to make them easier to handle. However, they can lose much of their durability if cut too thin. You also want to watch out for slabs that are too porous, which means they will absorb more water and stain faster, which means higher upkeep in the long run.

Importing slabs can add to the cost, and it’s important to see where a slab originates. You can look at the different granite stones as though you are looking at wood. Oak is very hard, whereas pine is a little softer. Different granite materials have different strengths and weaknesses. For example, steel gray granite is an incredibly dense and highly durable stone. It does not require any sealer, as the sealer would not absorb, instead sitting on the surface and getting sticky. However, ivory fantasy is a very porous stone that requires extensive sealing and is more prone to staining.

Another example would be fissures, pits, and other natural imperfections. With some materials, fissures should be expected and can be seen and felt, whereas others should be free of any stone fissures. Once installed properly, these natural imperfections should not affect your countertops’ durability or longevity; they should be simply cosmetic details. A good countertop fabricator will review these details to ensure you understand the product you are purchasing. It is important to find a granite countertop fabricator near you that you can trust. A good granite fabricator will advise you on which stone best suits your lifestyle and taste.

What Is a High-Quality Granite Countertop?

High-Quality Resin: Most granite countertops have a resin that brings more consistency to the finish, stain resistance, and overall structural integrity. Often when materials are cheaper, lower quality resins are used, which can deteriorate over time.

Thicker Material: High-quality granite countertops are typically 3 centimeters (1 ¼”) thick. 2-centimeter materials are thinner, thus more prone to breaking as the home settles. All though there are times when a 2-centimeter material can be beneficial for specific custom-built-up designs, this is rare.

Precision Fabrication: The fabrication process is a large part of the overall “quality” of the granite countertop. Fabrication machines, seam locations, slab layout, glues that are used, and setting techniques for sinks and other anchoring systems will all determine the longevity of your countertops. The best results will come from a completely digital facility where lasers do all the templates, which format into a digital file and plug into a CNC machine for precision manufacturing your granite countertops. Another aspect is the installation phase. For example, pure silicone should be used around the perimeter of the countertop, sink connections, and between the countertop and stone backsplash. Often companies use regular caulk to cut costs which will not provide the support or water sealing required for professional results.

High-Quality Sealer: There are many sealers for granite countertops on the market. Water-based, oil-based, silicone-based, and so on. Silicone-based impregnating sealer is typically the best product to be used for granite countertops as it absorbs into the stone as opposed to sitting on the surface.

Contact Us Today

Adding granite countertops to your home is an investment, and like all investments, you need to put a lot of care, thought, and research into the decision. At GranitePro, we know our slabs and how to match the right kind of countertops to the right homes while keeping in mind everything from the use of the countertops to the design and layout of your home. Contact us today to see how we can help you install the highest quality countertops in your home to ensure you get both aesthetics with functionality and, above all, safety.

Categorized: Countertops, Granite

Apr 21 2022

Picking The Right Outdoor Kitchen Countertop

Backyard grilling has never been the same since kitchens were moved outdoors. This brings us to one of our favorite items in an outdoor kitchen – countertops. When it comes to outdoor kitchens, this is one item that might not always stand out like a showy mantelpiece, but if it isn’t there, the room is quite incomplete, wouldn’t you agree?

When done right, it is not just functional but can become the focal point of your kitchen. So, when it’s such an intrinsic part of your indoor kitchen, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t include it in your outdoor kitchen as well.

Having a countertop lets you prep, cook, and even eat your meals outdoors, but you need to put some thought into what you need before just selecting one. We help you choose the best material for your outdoor kitchen countertop.

Best Outdoor Kitchen Countertops Compared

Quartz: Given that quartz resists staining and doesn’t need sealing, polish, or buffing, One would think an engineered stone  would be an ideal and logical choice for an outdoor kitchen.

Quartz is non-porous, extremely sturdy, requires minimum maintenance, and can handle spills, scratches, and stains when the proper cleaning care is maintained. Even better, it comes in various colors, which are quite uniform in pattern and texture compared to other natural stones.

Unfortunately, Quartz countertops are sensitive to UV rays and extreme temperatures, making it a poor choice for outdoor kitchens.

Granite: This is still one of the most popular options for indoor kitchens. But when you consider that it’s stain, heat, scratch, and cut resistant, it’s easy to see where the appeal lies and why many people opt for granite for their outdoor kitchen. While it does work for outdoor kitchens, remember that granite differs in hardness and porosity.

You also need to be sure to reseal your granite every year, especially if it is used in an outdoor kitchen. As for colors, granite might have differences in patterns and appearances, as it is a natural stone. So while it’s not easy to get granite that looks absolutely consistent, the character of each slab makes it unique and stunning.

To get it to look as consistent as possible, pick granite slabs that are taken from the same quarry. Working with a granite countertop fabrication company that specializes in outdoor countertops can save you a lot of time and money by helping you choose the right type of granite that will properly withstand the elements.

Some stones may deteriorate in the sun’s UV rays or formulate different forms of stains such as rust or elemental stains.

Marble: As far as aesthetics go, marble is classic and timeless, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better-looking material. But it’s not the most versatile or hardy of stones, so an outdoor kitchen that is open to the elements or used roughly might not be the right space for marble.

Apart from being a softer material, marble is more prone to scratches, dents, stains, etching, and heat, if not cared for properly. You can put this down to the fact that marble is calcium carbonate.

When any acidic items like tomato, wine, or lime juice fall on it, it eats into it, leaving behind a haze or etching, an issue that you don’t have to worry about with other natural stones. 

Soapstone: Heat and stain-resistant, soapstone brings to mind a rustic, charming appeal that only this muted metamorphic rock can impart. Mostly available in bluish-gray, green-gray, gray, white, or soft black that is often veined or speckled, soapstone is non-porous, dense, and can resist bacteria and chemicals quite easily.

As far as thermal conductivity is concerned, it beats both granite and marble. But while soapstone has its pros, it also has its share of disadvantages. For one, its high-talc content makes it prone to scratches. This is not a low-maintenance material, so be prepared to spend time and effort on its upkeep, which includes applying mineral or walnut oil to it once or twice a month.

Its surfaces also naturally darken over time, so do not expect your soapstone countertop to look exactly as it did when you bought it as the years go by. 

Contact Us Today

To pick the best material for your outdoor kitchen countertop, you have to first identify how much you plan to use your kitchen and how roughly or gently you will use it. Then you have to see how your countertop fits in with your outdoor kitchen’s overall design and layout.

Choosing a countertop is not a decision that can be made in isolation, and the right team of experts will be able to help you narrow down your list to know exactly what you need.

At GranitePro, we look at all aspects right down to the material, finish, and seams of your countertop to ensure it fits your space and lifestyle perfectly.

Contact us today to get the correct guidance on how to simplify your search and achieve incredible functionality and aesthetics with the right outdoor kitchen countertop.

Categorized: Countertops, Granite, Marble Countertops, Quartz

Mar 19 2022

Tips When Looking for a Granite Expert Near You

Granite countertops are unique in that they offer so much potential for visual impact in your home apart from being just functional. They can transform an ordinary kitchen, bathroom, or just about any area into an extraordinary space that boasts a distinct focal point when done well.

But as durable and distinctive as they are, granite countertops need experts who know how to make the slabs work for their intended space, ensuring that they’re making an impact. Equipping yourself with the right team to discuss, share ideas about what’s possible, and find the best fit is crucial before shopping for your granite countertops.

What You Should Look For When Buying Granite Countertops

The high-visual impact is just one aspect of the buying process for granite countertops. As far in advance as possible, go to a showroom to physically feel the touch and texture of the stone.

The color options with granite are also vast. Some granites are more durable and lower maintenance than others; each has unique properties. It is essential to work with an expert familiar with all the different materials to ensure you select a stone that will work best for your lifestyle and taste. Specific selections might not work for families with small kids or pets. Additionally, families who don’t have the time for upkeep should look for hardier options to avoid their countertops getting chipped or damaged.

The natural movement or pattern gives each slab distinctive swirls and depth. Try looking for slabs mined from the same quarry if you’re after something a bit more uniform. Even then, be prepared for each slab to have one-of-a-kind characteristics. After all, this is precisely what makes granite so exceptional as a material. At GranitePro, we only use consecutive slabs to ensure consistency throughout your project.

When working with a fabricator, ask to see their past works. A good fabricator will account for different materials’ flow and movement, maximizing consistency throughout the kitchen, highlighting the parts you love, and hiding or eliminating the ones you don’t. This consideration will save you a lot of heartaches later.

While shopping too, don’t just pick up what looks good in a shop. Instead, discuss how it will fit your existing décor, layout, needs, and design with the experts. Take the time to understand what the various grades imply and see what best suits your space and budget.

Finally, it doesn’t end with just choosing the slab that seems like the ideal fit. That’s as good as giving a bunch of ingredients to a chef and expecting them to work magic without knowing their level of expertise and particular skill set. You want to put a lot of thought and research into who you select to cut and install your countertops. This planning can make or break your space and affect the overall quality and longevity of the final product.

Contact Us Today

Given the risks and expenses you need to invest in selecting a granite countertop, it’s not a DIY project. But even as far as experts go, it’s essential to pick people with the right know-how.

At GranitePro, we have the knowledge, expertise, and tools to bring granite’s functional and aesthetic benefits to your home. So, if you’re in the market to buy new countertops, contact us today to see how we can help design a space that feels and looks how you envision.

Categorized: Granite, Remodeling

Feb 25 2022

How to Remove Granite Countertops

When it comes to countertops, it’s hard to find a material that checks all the right boxes – until you consider granite. Granite is durable, stain, moisture, and scratch-resistant, completely natural, can be easily cleaned, and of course, looks stunning. You are also spoiled for choice when it comes to colors and variation.

What’s not to love about it? With all these benefits, you need to consider one aspect – the color scheme of your home may need to change over the years to keep a fresh and updated look. Oftentimes, this means choosing a fresh countertop color that will compliment your new color scheme.

Taking them out and replacing them could be the best and most cost-effective solution in your home improvement project, but removing the countertop, too, involves careful handling and expertise. Consider the following tips on how to remove granite countertops.

Tips on How to Remove Granite Countertops, Proper Removal, and Disposal

Disclaimer: We highly advise against attempting to remove granite countertops yourself and that you call a professional granite countertop company. Failure to properly perform this act may result in serious injury or death. The guidelines below are simply tips for the most common situations we come across – these tips are not going to apply to every situation. GranitePro is not liable for any injuries, damages, or deaths that may occur as a result of the tips provided below.

Preparation

First, start by emptying all drawers and cabinets to avoid dust contamination or breakage, especially in your kitchen. You need to have the right tools, which should include a dust mask, gloves, wrench, safety goggles, putty knife, caulk softener, bucket, screwdriver, pry bar, box cutter, chisel, and a saw that is capable of being used on a material as heavy and large as a granite countertop.

Next, turn off all electricity to prevent any accidents. Do the same with your water connection by shutting off the hot and cold lines and the emergency cut-off valve and disengage all water lines. To detach the faucets, you must first trace the disconnected water lines to the bottom of the sink.

Use pliers to turn the nuts on the bottom of the hold-down brackets counterclockwise, making detaching them more manageable, and remove the faucets by simply pushing them from the rim in an upward direction. To remove the sink, do the same – unscrew the nuts on the hold down brackets that you will find at the base of the tub, and break the caulk that seals the sink to the countertop with a flat chisel or a knife. Place a rubber mallet on the bottom of the sink to help lift it away.

This is the best way to remove an under-mount sink. However, breaking through the adhesive layer that fixes the sink to the countertop with a putty knife or a chisel is the best way to approach removing a drop-in fixture sink.

Removal

Your next step is to tackle removing the granite from the plywood that may be glued to your countertop depending on the thickness of the granite which was installed, which you can remove by loosening the screws that connect the plywood sheet to the cabinet by using a screw tip and a drill. These are screws found inside the cabinet, but you could also see them running into the plywood from the top.

If you don’t find this, you can remove the plywood easily by simply breaking the adhesive. Now, take a hammer and pry bar and start working from the topmost edge of the backsplash that is connected to the granite countertop by striking it slowly in small, consistent steps until you can easily remove the backsplash.

Good till now? That’s your foundation done. What’s left is the main task – removing the actual granite. Start by finding the joint that connects the cabinet to the countertop and breaking the glue by inserting a pry bar into this space and gently hitting it with a hammer. Hold the countertop in the right spot by tapping a wooden shim between it and the front edge of the cabinet.

From there, screw and shim down for the front side until the frame comes off. Keep at this process by going further inside the cabinet using the pry bar to raise the granite away from the cabinet supports until you can raise the granite slab. Do it carefully to avoid breaking the countertop, and make sure you put wooden shims at all points to hold the gap between the two.

The tough part is lifting the countertop, which will require help from several people. A rough estimate of how many people you need is to take one person stationed every 3-4 feet of the granite slab. Then, work in tandem by tilting the countertops from the back edge, carefully and slowly, to lift the granite slabs and remove them in one piece. ALWAYS CARRY GRANITE VERTICALLY. Never carry granite countertops flat as it may result in breaking or injury.

Final Steps

Once your granite is removed, what you do with it depends on the condition it’s in. For instance, removing an old countertop to put in a new patio, bathroom, or kitchen is perfectly doable.

But if it’s worn out and you’re looking to get rid of it, you can consider selling it as scrap or even donate it to a place that might have use for it. If you’re storing it, place it with the top facing downwards.

Whatever you do, remember, this process is not a one-person job, and it requires the right tools, equipment, knowledge, and power to pull it off successfully.

Contact Us Today

As you can see, both removing and disposing of old granite countertops is an imposing job that involves far more than just ripping them out. The key to a successful remodeling project is to take in all the details and reduce the risk factor to both the individual working and the area being worked on. With this task, risk is both high and avoidable when you hire the right experts.

At GranitePro, we leave nothing to chance, and we approach removing granite countertops more like a kitchen surgery than a remodeling project. This means, we have the right expertise to handle the job from start to finish.

Contact us today to see how we can remove and haul away your old granite countertops in the most seamless manner. We make sure we do this without damaging your kitchen or bathroom cabinets in the process to leave you with the perfect space to install new stunning stone options.

Categorized: Countertops, Granite, Remodeling

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