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Buying Granite Countertops

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Anonymous

15y ago
Updated: 9/16/2019

Granite counters are becoming more and more popular today in high end kitchens. The natural stone combines beauty and function and can also increase the resale value of a home. When hope shoppers are looking at new homes, one of the most important rooms that they look at is the kitchen. One of the most noticeable things in a kitchen is the counters, so it is important to have high quality counters to make a good impression on buyers. Granite counters are also practical. Granite is a hard and durable, natural rock that is resistant to scratching. Also, it is possible to put hot pots and pans onto the surface without damaging the counter. Granite is also very easy to clean and care for, only needing a quick pass with a soapy sponge to return the surface to pristine condition.

While granite counters are more expensive than Formica, tile, or corion surfaces, the price has steadily declined in recent years, making it more affordable than ever. Prices are dependent on the color of the stone, the thickness, and the cut. While granite comes in a wide variety of colors, some hues are rarer and more expensive than others. The thickness of the slab of granite also influences the price. For kitchen counters, the standard thicknesses are 2 or 3 centimeters. Thicker granite counters look better and offer greater durability than thinner counters. Granite is an extremely hard rock, so adding decorative beveled edges can be expensive, due to higher manufacturing costs.

One consideration about a granite counter is that granite needs to be custom cut to fit each kitchen space. Because of this, there will be visible seam lines on the counter surface. Often, granite counter top installers will do their best to disguise the seams, placing them in corners, and making them as tight as possible, but the seam will still be visible. Granite is also slightly porous, meaning that it can stain if left unsealed. Sealing only needs to be done every few years over the lifetime of the counter. While granite is hard, it can also be brittle. Hard edges are susceptible to chipping, although these can often be smoothed out by a granite installation professional.

Granite countertops are a great addition to any house, providing a high end look and excellent functionality. Prices have dropped in recent years, so there is no reason not to consider granite when shopping for new counters.

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15y ago

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Related Questions

What should I know about granite counter tops before buying them?

You should consider the material that will be most suitable to your place. Then you can consider the price and brands. stainless steel countertops


Is there any cheap alternatives to kitchen countertops?

You can get cheap countertops by buying them from salvage yards. However in the end you need a countertop and it's just a question of what you pay for them. Honestly you won't save much by going cheap because these options aren't very durable and they detract from the value of your home. Though there are no alternatives to having the countertops themselves, there are some cheaper materials you can use without breaking the bank. Laminate countertops are popular for their low price, variety, and maintenance ease.


How much will it cost to make 300 granite crabs on runescape buying all the necessities?

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Best Places To Buy Granite Countertops?

Granite countertops can make a wonderful addition to your kitchen. Granite is one of the most beautiful and illustrious materials known to man, and there is no better solution in the world for a countertop material. Granite, however, can be very expensive. Finding the right place to purchase your granite sometimes seems like a full-time job. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be, as there are many different choices. If you are someone who likes to really know the person who is selling your materials, your best bet is to go to a small specialty store. Many small stores stock granite, and some actually work directly with local quarries to sell the best quality material around. Without a doubt, you will not find better customer service than at a place like this. The downside, however, is that shopping at small specialty shops - especially for granite - can be a very expensive endeavor. They don’t have control over their pricing the same way that large stores do, and have to charge more in order to stay in business. If money is not an option and you are inclined to help keep local business alive, this is your option. For those who don’t have the luxury of being able to pay more for their granite, there are larger corporate hardware stores. Stores such as these often stock a nice supply of granite and other similar materials, and will usually cut it to your liking. Employees at these stores are often very helpful and knowledgeable. Best of all, you can leave knowing that you didn’t spend a fortune. Buying granite at stores such as these is how most people go about the process. Of course, you could go as far as to contact a local quarry yourself and buy granite direct. This can be a gratifying experience, as if you are ok with doing some heavy lifting, you’ll avoid any outside fees from stores. Establishing a relationship with local quarry owners can be very rewarding.


Are the price of granite maces going up on runescape?

Yes, they are supposedly going up to 21m ea in the next couple of weeks but then no one will be buying them


What is the safest kitchen countertop?

There are many different countertop materials that are extremely durable.* Marble and granite are among the most durable, but they are also relatively costly. They can chip easily, and stain, so expect a "patina" to develop over the years. * Similarly, stainless steel countertops are also extremely durable and lends a decidedly upscale look. However, it is also expensive and, thus, mostly reserved for professional kitchens. The best value for durable countertop material are, in my opinion, the soapstone and engineered stone countertops. Both material require minimal maintenance, as they are stain, scratch, and heat-resistant. In addition, engineered stone is uniform in color, pattern, and texture. And, both material are considerably cheaper than marble, granite, and stainless steel. Another answer: Durability covers a lot of ground. All countertops have an Achillles heel. The hardest tops can be some types of granite, but there are some types you can break with your bare hands. Just about any comment you want to make about granite can be true for some types, so you have to research your choice. Engineered stone can scratch, non repairable of course. You also have to be careful on what cleaning products you use. Read the care and cleaning instructions very carefully, then the warranty. You will find that the warranties cover very little. For dark colors, quartz is a good choice, but it can UV fade like granite, so again, research your choice of stone carefully and know exactly what you are buying. Soapstone is one of the more expensive stones, usually in the 65 to 80 dollar range. It scratches quite easily, but the scratches can be sanded out. Soapstone is truly heat resistent, but quartz countertops are not heat resistent. I sell all types of products, but the one that most people are happiest with is solid surface (corian is one type of solid surface).Natural stone


Cheap Granite Countertops?

Granite countertops are a much-desired element that can increase the worth of your home, and it is not hard to imagine why. Granite is strong, durable, stain resistant and beautiful. When shopping for granite, always keep in mind that each sheet is completely unique, so take care to buy similar grain patterns if you are trying to match a long cabinet run or promote a sense of unity between rooms.Find local stone dealersMany areas have a plethora of independent stone dealers that do business directly with the quarries. This allows them to offer quality products at wholesale pricing. Typical interior designers and other contractors deal with these types of businesses and put a nice mark-up price on it that is billed to your wallet. You can cut out the middle man in a lot of cases simply by going to browse the vast selection for yourself. Unless you are a seasoned granite installer, you may still want to hire a contractor to install it, but the price is still considerably lower. Remember, buying local also cuts costs on shipping and handling fees.Purchasing a slightly thinner stone can greatly reduce your overhead costs. When browsing your stone options, remember that thicker stones are going to cost more. Some people really like a thick look, but if you do not mind having a thinner countertop, you can cut your cost significantly. Look at the lower grades when considering your purchaseThere are categories of granite based on quality, where tier one is the highest, but do not rule out the possibility of finding a really beautiful slab in the lower tiers. It is highly unlikely that most consumers can even tell the difference between the tiers, but it is easy for salesmen to trap buyers into the notion that they need the best.Cultured granite versus pure graniteCultured granite is manufactured rather than mined, but it can still look lovely. It usually requires less maintenance and upkeep, and its costs are much lower than pure granite. A major benefit of this type is that it is precast into the intended shape; therefore, you do not need to hire an expert stone cutter.In closing, there are several ways you can cut your costs and still have gorgeous granite countertops in your kitchen, bathroom or outdoor bar. With a little effort, you can find exactly what you need without having to sacrifice functionality or aesthetics.


What are the different grades of granit?

Importers use grade A, B, and C, then there are "orphan" slabs, left over then thown into a bundle that doesn't match. Lot's of fabricators make money buying B grade and charging the same as the A grade shops. Look around The "grade" of granite has to do with supply, demand and sometimes the actual quality of the stone itself. The price of a granite slab (if we are talking about granite grades for granite countertops) has to do with the cost of digging it out of the ground, cutting and polishing the face, bringing it into the country and paying all the necessary middlemen. After that some fabricators will charge more to work with granites which are prone to falling apart or tough to color match at the seams. Usually the largest factor in the price of a slab of granite is how dramatic its color and movement are. The slab that most people gravitate towards first in the showroom will probably have the highest price. Suppliers realize this when they set the initial price before the material even gets to the USA (if that is where you are located). When a stone is has a lot of fissures and or cracks, usually a fiberglass mat is applied to the back and then sealed to the stone with an epoxy or filler resin. This is common with many exotic 3cm and especially 2cm slabs. The grade is usually set by the fabricator, but in each case these are the factors which contribute to that grade.


Is Riddle Hospital buying the granite run mall property?

As of my last update in October 2023, Riddle Hospital had not publicly announced any plans to purchase the Granite Run Mall property. However, developments may have occurred since then, so it's advisable to check local news sources or official announcements for the most current information regarding any potential acquisition.


Applying A Water Sealant To Granite Surfaces?

Granite is one of the hardest natural compound rocks. It can withstand sharp impacts with little or no damage to the stone. It is also less porous than marble, slate, or travertine. However, the color shade of this natural stone can fade over time. To protect marble surfaces - as well as any exposed grout between the tiles - a sealant should be applied on a periodic basis. A variety of natural stone sealers can be found at any home improvement outlet or retail hardware store. Care should be taken when choosing which sealing product to use. Some water sealants are designed to penetrate deeply into the stone and should be used on porous materials such as travertine. Always read the instructions carefully before buying a sealer. Those products manufactured especially for hard surfaces such as granite will have clear markings on the package. When laying a new surface of granite tiles, sealing should be completed prior to applying grout between the individual pieces. This prevents discoloration from grout that may end up on the surface of the granite. The only exception is the installing of granite countertop tiles that are placed directly on cement with no separation between the individual tiles. In this case, the sealant can be applied after the tiles have been set and the cement allowed to dry. After the tiles have been waterproofed with two coats of sealant - applied several hours apart - they are placed in their final position and the cracks are then filled with grout. After the grout has set and dried overnight, the sealant can also be applied to the grout itself. Depending on the type of grout used, a different sealing compound may be needed. The grout is somewhat more porous than the granite, therefore a special grout waterproofing sealant may work better and last longer. Once the sealant has been brushed on, the surface of the polished or honed granite will be very smooth. The sealant will not affect the natural reflectivity or brightness of the granite surface. The stones should be given subsequent coats of sealant about once a year. Granite countertops and granite backsplashes may require sealing slightly more often due to the stone's constant exposure to higher humidity in the kitchen.


1920 buying on credit was called buying on?

Buying on Margin


Buying on credit?

Buying on credit is also called Buying on Margin