5 Things to Know About Choosing Granite for Your New Kitchen Countertops

Granite is a popular choice for kitchen countertops because it is attractive and durable. If you're planning a kitchen makeover, putting in new countertops will give your kitchen an entirely different look. Granite adds a gourmet or luxury feel to your kitchen while also being durable enough to withstand a hectic lifestyle and life with kids. Here are five things to know about granite kitchen countertops.

1. Granite Comes in Several Colors

There are more types of granite than you might realize. While they all usually have a pattern that combines different shades of color, different types of granite have different appearances.

This allows you to choose granite countertops that fit the rest of your kitchen perfectly. You might want black granite to go with gray cabinets, white and black granite to go with white cabinets, or brown and tan granite to go with dark wood cabinets.

2. Granite Slabs Are Custom Made

When possible, your kitchen countertop is made from a single slab of granite. That can't always be done if you have a long countertop, but when possible, a single slab is used to reduce the number of seams. A contractor will visit your home to measure your counters and make a template for cutting the slab. This ensures an exact fit when the countertop is installed over a sink opening or outlets.

3. Granite Slabs Are Unique

It may seem like all granite of the same color looks the same, but the swirl patterns can be different in each slab. When you choose granite countertops, visit the shop to look at slabs and pick the ones you like. You may want slabs that look alike, or you might want a different look for an island slab.

4. Granite Is Durable When Sealed

One reason granite is popular for kitchen countertops is that the stone is so durable. However, the stone is porous, so water or other liquids could potentially seep in and make a water stain. The water eventually dries out, so the stain isn't permanent, but you can avoid the problem altogether by sealing the granite so liquids bead up rather than soak into the stone.

Sealing granite is easy, and it's something you can do on your own to keep your new granite countertops protected and beautiful.

5. Granite Is Heavy and May Need Support

When you're planning new kitchen countertops, don't forget to factor in the weight of a heavy granite slab. If you live in an older home, the old cabinets might not support heavy granite. Your floors might need additional support too so you can avoid problems with floor sagging.

Granite is heavier than many other countertop options, so an older home may not be constructed to hold granite countertops, but fixing the problem is as simple as adding additional support.

To learn more about kitchen granite countertops, visit a supplier near you. 


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