Seattle Granite Countertops
Where Durability Meets Style
If giving your home an aesthetic look is a priority, then using granite countertops is the best remedy. Granite is a very famous product worldwide and it’s still exerting its influence on every household.
The mineral isn’t only limited to beautifying your kitchen countertop, you can also have it on your bathroom countertop. The texture of granite possesses smooth and sandblasted features that make it quite remarkable.
Granite originated from igneous rock and it’s made up of feldspar, mica, and 20% quartz. Countries like Italy, China, Brazil, India, and Norway are known for mining granite. However, the biggest granite mine in the U.S is Barre, Vermont.
Home Improvement
You can improve the quality of your home by renovating and remodeling it to enhance its beauty and resale price. The kitchen design should be comfortable for preparing meals, entertaining guests, and prospective buyers who want to patronize it. Therefore, having granite countertops in your kitchen can improve your home in the following ways.
Prestige
For years, granite has remained relevant to the kitchen in terms of splendor, unique veining, catchy colors, etc. You’ll find in every slab a certain shade, unique speckle, and stripe that feast the eyes with an adorable design. The catchy diversities and cute changes make granite appear opulent in every kitchen.
Ageless and low maintenance cost
No one will love to buy a product that won’t last over time. Granite can withstand any period and sustain its beauty, unlike other minerals such as butcher block, laminate, etc., that aren’t durable. You can even prepare your food on it.
Granite is also impervious to scratches and heat due to its hardiness. Therefore, if you use it as your countertop, it can withstand any accidental or deliberate scraping and an immense heat of 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
That doesn’t mean that your granite can’t get dirty. The good news is that dirt isn’t an issue because you can wipe it off with a solution. The solution involves mixing a gentle detergent in warm water and soaking a piece of cloth in it. You’ll need a bucket for the solution.
You can use the already squeezed cloth to wipe off the dirt on your countertop. Once the dirt is removed, replace the solution with clean water. Then dip the cloth in it and use it on the granite to make it sparkle.
Profitable
According to various realtors, the kitchen is what makes most sellers buy homes. You can profit 100% as your return on investment when you install granite countertops in your kitchen. Due to its aesthetic appeal, it is considered a premium product.
Kitchen Or Bathroom
We already know that using granite for your kitchen or bathroom will beautify it, however, is it wise to use the same color for both? The following are conditions that determine whether you use the same color or not for your kitchen or bathroom.
The closeness of the kitchen and bathroom
If the kitchen is closer to the bathroom, then you might decide to use the same color of granite countertops for both. However, the opposite is the case, it’s not necessary to match the countertops.
Go for complementary countertops
You don’t have to use matching colors of granite countertops at all times, you can use complementary design styles instead for your kitchen and bathroom. It will add more radiance to your home.
Bind it all
Having a complementary kitchen and bathroom granite design isn’t enough. Ensure that the wall colors and flooring all agree and other important areas of your home complement your choice of granite countertops.
Square Foot
Several steps need to be followed thoroughly to determine the square footage of granite countertops.
- All countertops, especially base cabinets and islands, should be measured in inches. Therefore, a countertop that is 144 inches long will be similar to the length of the backsplash.
- To determine the entire countertop area for the width in inches of conventional countertops, multiply the total length by 26. As a result, 44 inches multiplied by 26 inches equals 3,744 square inches.
To calculate the overall backsplash area in square inches, multiply 144 inches by 4 inches. That’s 144 inches multiplied by 4 inches, for a total of 576 square inches of backsplash.
- To estimate the overall square footage, add the two totals together: 4,320 square inches equals 3,744 plus 576 square inches. To convert 4,320 square feet, divide by 144. Then you’ll get granite with a surface area of 30 square feet
Quartz Countertops
Quartz is the most reliable kitchen countertop in terms of durability. They can last from 10-15 years. The minerals used to make quartz are the hardest on Earth. Moreover, they also stand out in terms of beauty.
The solid slab we call quartz countertop passed through some processes which include, the mining of natural quartz crystals, processing it into dust, and mixing it with resin binders under extreme heat and pressure. During this process, some pigments were introduced to give the countertop an outstanding color.
There’s no static color for quartz and some of them are blacks, cream, earthy brown, etc. The product also comes with sparkles, stripes that are similar to granite. One of the major distinctions between it and other natural stones is that it is made in a factory.
If you’re thinking of purchasing and installing a quartz countertop for each square foot, then have a budget of $60 to $90. There are lots of benefits of using a quartz countertop in your home. The following a some of them.
Cheap maintenance
Just like the granite countertops, you can also clean them daily with soapy water. All you need is a mild cleansing scrub to wipe out the dirt attached to it. However, don’t use scouring pads because they make the surface appear dim. If you also don’t want the resins and quartz to be dissolved, avoid severe chemicals.
It’s resistant to microbes
Stains, odor from bacterias, mold, and mildew do not affect the surface of quartz countertops due to the presence of resin binders.
An appealing design
Huge slabs are available from some manufacturers for continuous countertop installations. The seams can be almost undetectable even with regular slabs, which are generally 60 by 120 inches; additional resins enable cleaner cutting without chipping as stone does.
Quartz is more adaptable than natural stone because of the resins, enabling manufacturers to stretch and twist it into sinks or the corners of a concave island. Manufacturers can even cut the slabs into normal tile sizes, making them suitable for both floors and walls.
Granite Slab
Granite slab is recognized for its beauty and it’s susceptible to damage, stains and capable of being burnt during the manufacturing process. However, the finished product and only be admired and add radiance to your home. The size of the granite slab varies. Bigger slabs are expensive than the other sizes. However, 9 feet 6 inches long by 5 feet 6 inches wide is the normal granite slab for most countertops.
The average thickness of countertop slabs is 1.25 inches. The thickness of the slab might differ over its size. Installers are frequently required to shore up sections of the slab in this situation to ensure that all regions are secured. It’s worth noting that the slab’s 5.5-foot breadth permits it to be split in half in the middle, yielding two slabs measuring roughly 33 inches each. Countertop depths are typically around 24 inches, giving the fabricator plenty of room to work.
If you’re thinking of purchasing a granite slab, then note that an installed slab stone costs $40-$60 for each sq foot. About the amount of the slab, installation costs range from $35 to $85 for each square foot.
Kitchen Counters
Countertops give your kitchen an elegant look, therefore selecting the one that depicts your taste and correlates with the usefulness of the kitchen is quite considerate. Many materials have been used as kitchen counters otherwise known as kitchen countertops and the following are some of them.
Laminate
This is produced from a thin layer of plastic laminate glued to a particleboard or MDF core (medium-density fiberboard). Several makers, such as Formica and Wilsonart, produce laminates, and there are numerous color and style variations.
The pros attached to laminate counters are, cost-effectiveness, DIY installed features, lots of diversities if making a countertop from scratch with designer laminates, and more colors and patterns of your choice.
The cons attached to laminate counters are, substandard for a home sale, readily peeled, chipped, scorched, and empty and light, unlike other countertops.
Granite tile
The granite tiles are little and ceramic-like in appearance, which is favorable for DIY installation. The most affordable granite alternative is this one. The pros attached to granite tiles are, it’s cheaper than slab granite, have diverse colors and designs, long-lasting, and DIY-installed features.
The cons attached to granite tiles are, it lacks the flawless elegance of slab granite, and are substandard for a home sale.
Modular Granite
Most DIYers would love modular granite as a countertop alternative that is bigger than tile yet smaller than a slab. Moreover, they are bigger than the conventional granite tiles and are more installation-friendly than slab granite. Modular granite is also less expensive than slab granite and simpler for the average homeowner.
Its cons are, non-standard countertops may not be compatible, prone to cracking than granite slab, seams are evident, restricted style selection, are hard to locate, and have lower home sale value than slab granite.
Ceramic tile
Single clay-based tiles are attached above a cement-board core with thin-set mortar binders to create ceramic tile counters. Grout seams make tile somewhat less countertop material for kitchen counters, however, modern ceramic and porcelain tiles are accessible in big sizes (1 x 2 or 2 x 2 feet) that can potentially reduce seams and make cleaning easier.
The pros attached to ceramic tiles are, it’s cheaper than laminate, DIY installed features, and various design alternatives. Its cons are, grout seams are difficult to clean and stain readily, brittle and crack easily, and are difficult to repair and promote replacement.
Marble
Granite isn’t the only natural stone, marble is also one of them. Besides, every marble sheet is unique and its expensive nature makes it visible on most kitchen countertops. Moreover, it’s used as a baking center on a particular part of the countertop.
Unfortunately, though expensive, it’s susceptible to stains and scratches and it’s not winning the hearts of many in the kitchen. Although newer sealers can make marble easier to maintain, it is a far more sensitive stone than granite or soapstone.
Its pros are, waterproof and heatproof, higher home sale value, and aesthetic appeal with distinctive stripes. Its cons are, costly, lack of DIY installation, prone to scratches and stains, and difficult to repair.
Soapstone
This is a natural stone with a fine, smooth texture and a dark gray color. It has recently regained popularity as a granite substitute. You will find it in old homes, but it is also utilized as a countertop and sink material in modern residences.
Soapstone develops an antique-like patina with time, which can be particularly appealing in certain kitchen layouts. The classical soapstone used for countertops is generally quite durable and stain-proof, contrary to popular belief. Nevertheless, it will scratch over time, which can contribute to the stone’s antique patina.
Its pros are, color is deep and rich, stain-resistant to a degree, damage can be sandblasted out if it’s resistant to heat, and it gives a kitchen an ancient, historic feel.
Its cons are, over time, it may darken, it’s not possible to install it yourself, mineral oil should be used, and scratches and dents may appear on the surface, but this adds to the vintage appearance.