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Things you need to know about granite countertops

Pulled from the earth in giant monolithic blocks, granite is the oldest, strongest, and hardest stone available. Due to this combination of strength and beauty, granite has become one of the most highly regarded materials for countertops. Take into account its sturdiness, broad color range, and abundant options in size and finish, and you have the perfect stone for bestowing a rich elegance in any kitchen.

Durability

Granite's innate quality to stand up under the most dramatic abuse is unmatched. Wheather it's in its capacity to withstand hotpots and pans placed directly upon its surfaceor the ability to survive as a cutting board under the assault of sharpest of knifes, you'll admire its durablity and resilience. Feel free to make a mess, granite is forgiving.

Originally granite was availble only in large slabs, limiting affordability to those with a sizable budget. Fortunately it has sbecome a luxury that most home owners can now enjoy bacause when budget constraints prohibit the purchase of an entire slab, scaling back to the tile format can still ensure the same look and strength at a savings of nearly 50 percent!

Granite Color Variations

Proven to evoke and stimulate specific emotions, color sets the mood and style within a space. From exotic blues, deep succulent plums, and romantic shades of red to pale hues of flaxen gold, finding the right shade of granite to fit your design needs will not present a problem. Found within this generous color palette are numerous surface patterns, varying dramatically from the common and predictable speckled appearance, to the fluid movements ot the heavily veined Juparano. No matter what your ultimat echoice, it is advisable to inspect your slabs in advance.

Granite Texture

Texture contributes significantly to the overall perception of the granite's surface. Apart from the easily recognizable and highly popular polished, finishes include honed, flamed, and brushed. Each finish makes its own individual statement. The sleek polished finish is frequently perceived as elegant as formal, in contrast to the honed, which is generally viewed casual or contemporary. The flamed finish is most often seen as industrial, while brushed exudes sensuality. Don't assume that the look of the granite will remain the same when the surface texture is altered.

Inherent to granite is a large inetrnal pore structure which causes it to be susceptible to staining. Options regarding its care vary. You can have your granite sealed with a penetrating sealer, or you can maintain it with minarel oil. Yet another popular view is to let the stone breathe without any sealer, allowingstains to vanish naturally within the deep pore system over time.