Frequently Asked Questions about Granite Countertops

1. What makes granite ideal for making countertops?
   Granite is the second hardest Granite when compared to diamond and this means it can make one of the toughest and a long lasting countertop. Granite is also very unique because it's highly unlikely that you will find two similar granite slabs depending on the quarry and the minerals components. Another reason that makes granite ideal for making countertop is it’s easier to maintain. Granite is stain, heat and scratch resistance which means you can place a hot pan and not worry about dulling it. You can use it as a cutting board for vegetables and the only thing you have to worry about is dulling your knives.
   
2. What are the different types of granite countertop finishes?
   Granite countertops surfaces can be finished in using different techniques, you can have it honed, polished, flamed or brushed surfaces and each technique is meant to give the granite slab a unique look and feel. The most common finish is the polished finish because it's easy to maintain and it gives the granite a sparkling and a mirror like appearance that makes your kitchen radiate and more elegant. The Honed finishes is gaining popularity because its less shiny giving your home a casual feel while still maintaining originality and elegance. You can also go for flamed finishes whereby granite is exposed to extreme heat that it melts and crystallize making it rough, textured and slip resistant.
   
3. What are the best maintenance practices for granite?
   Granite is very easy to maintain for it only need to be sealed once a year, the installer will seal for you during installation which is one of the most important step. Sealing is important because granite is porous and without the sealing agent it has a small possibility of staining and absorb water easily. Other maintenance practices are the daily wiping with a soft cloth and a neutral cleaner to remove dust or any spillage. Ask your supplier or installer to recommend the best cleaner ideal for granite and will not remove the sealer.
   
4. How long granite countertop does last?
   Granite countertops are considering a onetime investment because once you have it installed in your home it will last for a life-time.
   
5. Which are the available granite colors?
   Granite countertops come in a wide variety of colors and no matter the color you choose its luster and originality never fade. Our granite slabs are unique and the color ranges from black, green, pink, yellow, white and blue but you can get many more colors. The color choice can complement the interior décor of the room and at the same time brighten a darker room.
   
6. What are the available granite countertops DC thicknesses?
   Granite slabs vary in thickness but the most popular thickness is the 3 cm also known as 1 ¼ thickness, you can also get the 2 cm also known as ¾ thickness. The weight of the granite slab will also vary with the width but the general weight is 12-13 lbs per square feet to 18-19 lbs for the 2 cm and 3 cm respectively. The advantage of going with a 3 cm granite slab is you will not need to reinforce it with plywood unlike the 2cm that must be reinforced to support the granite itself.
   
7. How much does it cost to install the granite countertop?
   The price will depend many factors such as the area you are in, how large your countertop is, the color of granite etc. An average granite countertop will cost between $2500.00 to $4000.00 to have installed. This should include sink cutouts, cook top cutouts. Do understand though depending on the granite you get it could cost more a lot more.
   
8. Can I avoid the seams on a granite countertop
   It's hard to avoid seams on granite especially if you have to join two granite slabs but there are ways to make them less visible. One of the ways is having them hidden away from view, sometimes if possible you can have the seam run on a diagonal sometimes making the seam harder to see.
   
9. What is the granite installation process?
   Granite countertops Baltimore need to be installed by a highly a qualified professional for it needs accurate measurement to ensure it fits and last for a lifetime. Installing it yourself is not recommended because if you make a mistake it will be very costly to correct. Normally the granite fabricator will install your granite for you.
   
10. What are the available granite edges?
    We offer wide variety of edges available and each is used to give the countertop a unique shape but if you have kids around the best edge will be the double bullnose and it's hard to chip. Other edges available are Bevel, Ogee, Eased and straight.