Reasons You Should Consider Granite Countertops For Your Home

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Granite tends to contain different rock combinations, such as feldspar, micas, and quartz. These varying arrangements give granite surfaces random yet beautiful-looking colors, patterns, and textures. But, its appearance isn’t the only reason you should consider getting granite countertops for your home. Continue reading to know other grounds that may pique your interest in getting these countertops for your abode.  

1. Increases Your Home’s Value

Many home buyers are looking for indoor elements that can make their new home unique. Granite countertops, like those from affordablegraniteandstone.com, aim to serve this purpose.

Since this mineral tends to have random looks, it might be safe to say that no two granite surfaces are completely alike. Many homeowners seek this trait to separate their properties from the rest of the neighborhood. Additionally, this timeless beauty may last for generations, especially with proper care. Your chosen countertops might have an average life expectancy of over 100 years. In comparison, concrete generally lasts for about 20 years, roughly the same lifespan as marble. 

Therefore, you can sell your home in the next 20 years, and your granite countertops may still look good as new. Plus, this material is relatively easy to maintain, allowing homeowners to take advantage of cost-efficient countertop care. It may also mean that you can gain more profit from selling the house with the countertop since the costs rendered might be significantly lower than purchasing a new surface.

2.  Easy To Maintain:

As mentioned in the previous section, granite is relatively easy to maintain. Perhaps, one of the reasons for this trait is its diamond-like durability. Therefore, this material is relatively impervious to various hazards, including abrasions, heat, and stains. 

A combination of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid, plus a soft, clean cloth, should be sufficient to clean a granite surface. Still, the best type of care you can give to this material is preventive care. 

Here are some tips to ensure your granite countertops maintain their pristine look for years:

  • Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners. Cleaning agents with abrasives and acids may cause discolorations and scratches. 
  • Avoid standing, kneeling, or sitting on granite countertops as these actions may cause cracks, dents, or breaks. 
  • Don’t place hot pans or other sizzling objects on these surfaces. The searing temperatures might also cause discoloration and potential cracking. 

Despite these preventive measures, granite tends to be quite resilient against stains, particularly alcohol, citric acid, coffee, and wine. But, these substances’ colors may still penetrate the granite’s natural hues. Hence, it should be best not to leave stains overnight. Instead, consider immediately wiping these stains off as soon as possible.

Also, avoid leaving soap on this material for extended periods. Granite tends to attract soap scum, which might become the precursor for discolorations. Thus, don’t forget to rinse the cleaning products with clean, warm water. But, if, by any chance, that some soap scum managed to penetrate the mineral, use a razor blade in a gentle motion. 

3. Different Variations To Choose

Another reason to install granite countertops in your home is the mineral’s color spectrum. This stone generally has colors that touch relatively every color imaginable. Hence, it might be possible to see granite in white, black, or even pink. 

Perhaps, this characteristic is due to the substance being a conglomerate of other minerals and rocks. Generally, this stone may contain about 20 to 60% quartz, 10 to 65% feldspar, and 5 to 15% micas. The consistency of each component may help dictate the countertop’s color. 

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Here’s a quick list of other stones that might be in granite, and their respective colors:

  • Quartz: Milky white
  • Feldspar: Off-white
  • Potassium feldspar: Salmon pink
  • Biotite: Black or dark brown
  • Muscovite: Metallic gold or yellow
  • Amphibole: Black or dark green

The wide range of colors available for granite countertops means that it might be relatively easy to search for a model that matches your home’s theme. For instance, your kitchen’s design might be off-white-dominant. Hence, you may search and install a granite surface with prevailing quartz and feldspar components. 

4. More Durable Than Other Minerals:

The combination of various minerals and stones tend to make granite sturdier than other stones, especially compared to marble. 

Granite’s durability levels tend to be quite different from quartz and marble. Granite is comparable to marble, but only if properly sealed every one or two years. Sealing pertains to applying a film on the surface to help clog pores, creating a barrier to resist various substances. 

However, if the seal fades and you don’t replace it soon, the surface might become susceptible to stains from spilled juice, oil, and wine.

On the other hand, quartz tends to have a construction made from 95% ground natural quartz and 5% polymer resins. This combination translates to a durable material, although it might not be as durable as natural ground granite. Perhaps, one of the reasons for quartz’s slight shortcoming for its durability is polymer resin’s construction. This substance generally comes from injection casting liquid resin in soft molds. The products in those molds use elements like heat for them to harden.

Think of the resin’s durability to be quite similar to hard plastic. Next, compare that sturdiness to a rock born from the earth, particularly granite. Thus, if you’re looking for long-lasting and hard-wearing countertops, you might not look further than granite surfaces. 

Additionally, granite tends to be quite resistant to high heat. So, if you accidentally place a hot pan on the surface, the mineral might not dent or warp. But, still, you should avoid placing hot objects on the countertop as it might cause discolorations. 

5. Relatively Easy To Repair

Perhaps, the fear of granite breaking over the weight of a child standing on it is keeping you from getting this surface. If your granite countertop breaks because of a kid standing on the surface or otherwise, you should know that this material is relatively easy to repair. 

Note that the difficulty of repairs may differ depending on the severity of the damage. In other words, hairline cracks may usually be easier to repair than broken parts. 

Here are the tools you need to help you repair hairline cracks on granite:

  • Grinder with a diamond grinding bit
  • Dust mask
  • Painter’s tape
  • Tongue depressor or popsicle stick
  • Granite cleaner
  • Epoxy designed for granite use

First, use the grinder to collect the granite dust. Ensure that you’re wearing a dust mask as numerous particles might become airborne.

Also, use the painter’s tape to cover areas for the epoxy application. The tape will help shield the surface from the airborne particles. 

Next, gather and mix the granite dust with the epoxy. Use the tongue depressor or popsicle stick to mix the two substances properly. 

Last, apply the mixture to the hairline cracks. Wait for the solution to cure, which should take about 24 hours. However, it might be best not to touch the epoxy-granite dust mixture for at least a week. This period should be enough to let the solution dry and harden properly. 

Now, if the countertop has a broken piece, the repairs might be more difficult than fixing hairline cracks. But, it may not take more than an hour to complete. 

6. Relatively Easy To Install

You might find granite countertop providers that allow DIY installations to help their customers save money. If so, it might help for you to know that granite surfaces tend to be quite easy to install. 

Here’s a list of the steps to help you get an idea of the installation process:

  • Prepare the wooden cabinets for the countertops by fitting the mineral on the wood. 
  • Find help as granite tends to be quite heavy, with some units weighing over 200 pounds. 
  • Place the stone slab on the wooden cabinets and check if the mineral is longer than the underlying surface. 
  • If you’re installing the countertop in your kitchen, measure and cut a hole in the slab for the sink. 
  • Join the granite seams by using appropriately sized screws.
  • Glue the countertops to the cabinets with silicone. 
  • Use polyester-based resin to fill the seams. 

If done properly, you may now marvel at your new granite kitchen countertop. Also, the process may not take more than a day to complete. 

But, if you find that countertop installation isn’t your ‘cup of tea,’ you may consider hiring professionals to do it for you. Expert furniture installers may already have the necessary tools and experience to ensure that your new granite countertop is devoid of errors. 

Some home furniture stores may offer countertop installation for their customers. However, some retailers might not have in-house installers. Instead, these companies employ the help of seasoned professionals from third-party companies. You may ask for these firms’ contact information, or you can ask the furniture store to call them for you. 

Conclusion

Granite is a hard-wearing stone that may last over 100 years with proper maintenance. It’s also quite beautiful, and the range of colors, patterns, and textures should fit relatively any interior design. This material is also quite easy to install and maintain. Remember, contact a reliable provider and installation service to ensure that you’re getting the best value from the product.  

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