If you&#;re thinking about getting new countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, there&#;s a good chance granite&#;s on your shortlist of options. After all, it&#;s one of the most popular materials used in kitchens today. Before you choose your new countertops, here&#;s what you need to know so you&#;ll know if they&#;re right for your remodel.
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1. IT&#;S CHEAPER THAN YOU THINK
Probably the first thing most people want to know is how much they&#;ll cost. While the actual answer varies based on several factors (where your slab is coming from, the quality of the stone, the retailer you use), you can get a rough estimate on just how much your new granite countertops will cost you.
Slabs can cost anywhere from $40 per square foot to $200 per square foot to fabricate and install. These figures include the actual cost of installation and the fabrication costs as well. The cost of the countertops can be kept down by using thinner slabs and using remnants, though this will likely mean that you&#;ll have more seams if you have a large kitchen.
Where To Buy Granite At The Best Price
Start by checking out local stone yards in your area such as Daltile and Arizona Tile. Most will display full granite, marble, and other stone slabs in their showroom so you can see the actual slab that will be used in your kitchen.OUT of the WOODS sells, templates, fabricates, and installs the countertops themselves. This just makes it easier to deal with any problems that come up during the installation process since the we will oversee every step of the process. Unlike many places we also do cabinets, so we have that extra bit of experience when dealing with the countertops.
Try to avoid big box stores like Home Depot. Not only is the variety of their stone limited, but they contract out the work as cheaply as they possibly can. Buying at OUT of the WOODS can also help keep your costs down since retailers have to factor transportation costs in when they give you a price.
2. ENDLESS COLORS
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We will sometimes recommend that you go see the actual slab that will be used in making your countertops, not just a sample, and especially not a photograph of a sample. Granite colors and patterns can vary greatly from slab to slab and you&#;ll want to make sure that the one you choose suits your kitchen.
Look for any obvious signs of damage or weakness (chips, fractures, cracks). Not all &#;flaws&#; are a problem, but some could make the slab structurally weak or you just might not like the way they look.
3. SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESS
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Ideally, you&#;ll buy your granite from a place that also fabricates and installs the countertops. OUT of the WOODS is skilled in design as well as fabrication so that they can cut the stone in such a way as to minimize seams and the keep the pattern of the stone facing in the same direction.
OUT of the WOODS has been in business for a long time and don&#;t be afraid to ask for references as well of samples of our previous work.
4. SAVE MONEY WITH GRANITE REMNANTS
If you have a small kitchen, or if you don&#;t mind a more eclectic look, you can save money on your counters by using granite remnants. Often, large pieces of slab are left over from previous job and instead of throwing out these remnants, OUT of the WOODS will sell them at a lower price. You may be able to piece together a small kitchens worth of countertops using only remnants, or you may get enough to add granite to your bathroom vanity.
Make sure you&#;re using a great fabricator like OUT of the WOODS if you use remnants. You really don&#;t want the stone pieced together in any old way or it will look cheap and you may have more seams to maintain. You can still get a great countertop using remnants, but it may take more patience to find just the right slab.
5. THEY&#;RE EASY TO MAINTAIN
Granite only looks amazing if you take care of it. Yes, it&#;s sturdy&#;one of the most durable materials used in kitchens, in fact&#;but if you aren&#;t careful, your beautiful expensive work surface could wind up looking like cheap junk after a few years. Fortunately, caring for it is not difficult to do.
It doesn&#;t take a fancy cleaner to clean your granite countertops. In fact, warm, soapy water will usually do the trick. However, there are a few caveats to cleaning them. First, make sure you&#;ve sealed them properly once they have been installed. This prevents moisture from seeping into porous stones and leaving permanent stains.
Never use an abrasive cleanser. This will leave scratches and damage the surface, leaving it even more vulnerable to stains and germs. You can buy special granite cleaners, but it&#;s not really necessary. Whatever you use, remember to wipe the countertops dry with a clean microfiber cloth when you finish to prevent moisture from sitting on the surface for too long.
The Best Cleaner
If you&#;d prefer to use a cleaner made just for granite countertops, there are several good ones available. You can find these online or at most big hardware stores.
Although hot water and mild dish soap are adequate for daily cleaning, you can buy pre-mixed cleansers designed specifically for everyday sanitation. Method makes a cleaner that comes in a spray bottle for easy application.
&#;Granite Gold&#; is another cleanser with good reviews and a solid track record as an efficient, gentle cleanser. Reviews often mention the pleasant smell too, which is a plus if you&#;re using it every day. Trinova, Black Diamond, and Weiman also appear on the list of popular choices because they have been shown to clean the stone thoroughly with no residue or lingering bad odors.
6. YOU CAN LOCK OUT STAINS
Sealing your granite countertops will protect them from stains and discoloration. OUT of the WOODS will seal it for you when it&#;s first installed, but you&#;ll need to reseal it occasionally because it does wear off over a period of months. It&#;s best to use a sealant that&#;s in the product class known as impregnating. These seep into the stone, improving its&#; level of protection and durability.
Each sealant manufacturer&#;s instructions may vary, but regardless of which type you use, clean your countertops first with either granite cleanser or soap and water. Once the stone is dry, apply the sealant per the instructions, then let it air dry. Once it&#;s dry, apply a second coat. You may have to repeat this in six months to a year, or you may be lucky and not have to do it for longer than that.
OUT of the WOODS offers a great sealer from Aqua Mix that is recommended by granite slab suppliers like Daltile. You can pick some up when you get your granite or farther down the road when you need it. At a cost of only $100, it is a great value.
How To Repair Chips And Cracks
Although it&#;s very hard and durable, granite can be damaged through daily use. Dropped pans, errant knives, and family members sitting on them (cabinets can take the weight but not counters) can lead to chips, scratches, and other unsightly bits of damage to your stone surfaces. Fortunately, for most minor damage, there are DIY repair kits readily available.
Most repair kits include some kind of gel for filling in small holes and sandpaper for smoothing the surface once the gel has been set. Light curing acrylic gels are applied, smoothed, then cured with a special light included in the kit.
Cracks may be repaired by using an epoxy resin to hold the two pieces together. An acrylic filler can then be used to fill the top of the crack, making the surface look and feel as good as new.
Make sure that if you buy a stone repair kit you buy one specifically for granite and follow the instructions carefully. You can cause more damage than good if you aren&#;t careful with these products, so take your time and consult us if you aren&#;t sure about what you&#;re doing.
7. YOU CAN REMOVE STAINS
Due to granite&#;s porous nature, stains can be a major problem, especially if you don&#;t seal them. Even water can discolor the stone if it&#;s left for too long, so it&#;s important to know a little about stain removal before you ever need to use the information.
Luckily, many stains can be removed using items you probably have lying around your home already. By creating a poultice using flour and a wicking agent, you can pull many stains out of your granite and make it look as good as new.
Start by making sure that you&#;ve cleaned all the food off the countertop. Then make a paste of flour and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the paste to the stain and cover it with plastic wrap. Use painter&#;s tape to hold the plastic wrap down and keep the poultice from drying out too quickly. Let it sit for 24 hours, then remove the wrap and allow the poultice to dry completely. Once the poultice is dry and crusty, scrape it off with a plastic scraper or spatula, then wipe the spot with a damp cloth.
A poultice being used to draw out a stain out from a granite countertop.You may have to repeat this process if the stain is stubborn, so be patient. Oily stains can be trickier to remove. Use acetone and flour or baking soda to create the poultice, then follow the same steps used for removing food stains.
You can use bleach to remove stains left by mold or mildew. Just be sure to reapply sealant after you&#;ve used any stain removal method so you can prevent future stains from occurring.
8. MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THAN QUARTZ
Granite vs Quartz
Granite is often compared to other materials when people discuss choosing stone for countertops. Quartz is probably the most popular comparison. They do have some similarities&#;they&#;re both hard, both fairly heat resistant&#;but they also have some differences worth discussing.
Granite is a natural stone that is dug out of the earth and cut into slabs to be used for countertops and tiles. Quartz is made from around 97% quartz and 3% resin which is added as a binder to hold the quartz together. Quartz counters are not as heat resistant, so if you plan on placing pans right from the oven on them, use a trivet.
Granite makes for a very hard countertop, which isn&#;t always a good thing, especially if you take cast iron out of your cabinets a lot. Quartz is actually stronger, made to be just as hard with a little more flexibility to prevent chipping.
Quartz isn&#;t porous at all. This is because of the resin it&#;s made from and it means that the material is both stain resistant and resistant to bacterial growth. On average, quartz does cost more and although granite countertops needs to be sealed, it does tend to have a more unique look than quartz, which is designed in a lab rather than by Mother Nature.
At the end of the day, the two are both great options depending on your needs, preferences, and budget.
Quartzite countertops are often confused with quartz because of their name, but they are actually quite different from each other. For starters, quartzite is natural, not engineered, and it began its life as sandstone deep in the ground. Time and pressure transform sandstone into quartzite, a hard, porous rock that&#;s got a lot in common with granite.
Both quartzite countertops and granite are extremely hard. Because they&#;re naturally occurring, both are quite porous as well and need to be sealed in order to prevent them from staining and discoloration. They can have a similar appearance, too. This is because some of the same minerals are found in both stones in varying quantities. In fact, it can often be easy to confuse the two countertops when you look at them.
Quartzite can be more expensive. This isn&#;t always true&#;some harder-to-find granite colors can be very expensive&#;but in general quartzite tends to be a little higher priced.
9. CAN MIMIC MORE EXPENSIVE STONES
Granite That Looks Like Marble
Often homeowners know they want the look of one type of countertop but they want some of the benefits provided by another. A great example of this is marble. Marble is a classically beautiful stone that is highly sought after for upscale kitchens and bathrooms. However, marble is much softer than granite, so it can be damaged much more easily.
Still, that doesn&#;t have to stop you from having that beautiful &#;marble look&#;. As an added bonus, granite that looks like marble has a lower price tag and requires less maintenance, so you get more for your money.
Bianco Romano is an icy white option that looks like marble. It has streaky veins of beige and grey running throughout and is a popular choice for kitchens. Due to the light color, it does stain relatively easily and needs to be properly sealed and maintained if you want to keep it looking pristine.
If cool white is what you want, Glacier White is probably perfect. It has the same cool coloring as many fancy marbles without being high maintenance. Beige, reds, and pinks are common fleck colors in this particular granite and the creamy base color is smooth and refreshing. It&#;s a relaxed, tranquil color that&#;s great for both kitchens and bathrooms.
People looking for something similar to Carrara marble often find that White Fantasy granite fits the bill nicely. It&#;s got a clean, peaceful look that&#;s soft and feminine. It has pearly grey veins and is pleasantly on the lower end of the cost spectrum.
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This particular choice does have a tendency to etch easily, so again, sealing is important and so is keeping exposure to high pH foods to a minimum. Technically, if it etches it&#;s not granite at all and is probably marble in disguise. Stone yards make mistakes too.
Technically a quartzite, White Princess is a countertop that&#;s mostly white with soft grey veining throughout. The gentle coloration on this makes it popular in kitchens, but it works well in bathrooms, too. Some variations have pink undertones due to the minerals comprising the stone, but mostly it runs a smoky grey color that&#;s nice and neutral in any setting.
POPULAR GRANITE COUNTERTOP COLORS
While granite that looks like marble is extremely popular, it&#;s hardly your only option. While you don&#;t get the same wacky colors as you would in an engineered stone like quartz, you do still get a ton of natural variety.
Tans and browns are probably the most common colors simply because the primary minerals comprising granite tend to be in this color spectrum. Ranging from creamy tans to darker, muddy browns, most of these have light and dark veining that provides great contrast. Santa Cecelia is in high demand and has a neutral coloring of mostly cream and beige tones.
White granite countertops, like the ones that mimic marble, tend to have grey and tan veins running throughout. New Venecian Gold, pictured above, is an example of a popular light/white with creamy golds and browns.
If dark and dramatic is the angle you&#;re going for, take a look at something like Black Pearl. Its&#; dark coloring and bright flecks catch the light and provide plenty of character. Other dark granites can have almost blue or purple veining and iridescent flecks that add movement and life to the surface of the countertop.
Whatever color you think you want, you will always come #outofthewoodswith a great deal! #granite #countertops #quartz #quartzite #marble##granitecountertops #Icameoutofthewoodswithagreatdeal#outofthewoodsgranite
9 Benefits of Granite Worktops
Cedric Mattock
Owner & Managing Director
When it comes to home improvement projects, choosing the right materials for your countertops is crucial. Whether you&#;re looking to install a worktop in your kitchen or bathroom, one material that stands out for its numerous benefits is granite. Below we&#;ll explore the reasons why you should choose a granite countertop for your home.
9 Reasons to Choose Granite Countertops
Durability and long-term investment are just some of the reasons you should choose granite countertops for your home, as well as all of your short-term gains including beautiful patterns to complete the aesthetic goals of your home renovation. Let&#;s dive into why granite worktops are an excellent choice for homeowners.
Durability & longevity
Investing in quality
Unique and natural beauty
Versatile for any project
Hygienic & easily maintained
- More sustainable choice
- Heat resistance material
- Personality and uniqueness
- Improve the resale value of your home
1. Granite Countertops That Stand the Test of Time: Durability and Longevity
Granite is rated on Mohs Hardness Scale between 6 and 8 so is very hard-wearing and is often chosen for homes as granite worktops are renowned for their exceptional durability.
Granite countertops are highly resistant to scratches, heat, and stains, making them particularly ideal for busy kitchens. With proper care, granite counters can withstand years of use without losing their natural beauty or structural integrity.
2. An Investment in Quality
Although affordable, it could be said that granite is an investment in quality. Granite&#;s durability, timeless beauty, and resistance to wear and tear makes it a superior choice for your home compared to many other materials. Choosing granite demonstrates your commitment to long-term value and your appreciation for craftsmanship which you&#;ll reap the rewards of for many years to come.
Investing in granite means investing in a long-lasting and resilient surface that will stand the test of time.
3. Timeless Beauty of Granite Countertops
Another benefit of investing in granite worktops is the timeless aesthetics in your home. One of the most striking features of granite is its natural beauty. Each slab of granite is unique, with its own intricate patterns, colours, and textures, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication to any space.
Whether you prefer classic or contemporary designs, granite worksurfaces can seamlessly integrate into any kitchen or bathroom, whether modern or rustic, adding timeless elegance in value and visual appeal to your home.
Granite is available in a range of colours from classic black, to more unique colours such as orange, as well as sleek white and grey granite worktops. We have a wide range of granite colours and patterns available within our range to find the perfect one for your project. Granite also comes in a range of finishes, such as basic, marbled and pebbled.
4. The Endless Possibilities: Versatility of Granite
Granite offers homeowners an extensive range of options to suit their home improvement projects. This means that if you&#;d like some unity through a larger project or you&#;re looking to incorporate the same stone as your worktop into other areas of your home, granite is ideal.
Granite works well with different design elements, allowing you to experiment with cabinets, flooring, backsplash options and more. This works particularly well to bring a bathroom design together, you could compliment a granite bathroom countertop with a granite floor or wall cladding.
5. Practicality and Easy Maintenance
Not only are granite countertops stunning but also offer a practical worktop option for your home. Granite is a porous material, however, it&#;s still easy to clean and if sealed reduced the porous nature of the stone. Sealed granite worktops ensure bacteria and germs cannot penetrate the surface. Once your surface has been sealed, it&#;s largely low maintenance so you can relax and enjoy the aesthetic.
Cleaning granite is a breeze, simply wipe your worktop with warm soapy water, ensuring you choose a mild soap. An additional benefit of choosing a worktop made from granite is that you can prepare food directly on the surface due to its stain resistance without worrying about permanent discolouration.
If your countertop does become damaged, it&#;s fairly easy to fix so it&#;s an ideal material for any kitchen!
6. Sustainable Elegance: Embrace a More Eco-Friendly Choice
Whilst granite is a natural resource that cannot be renewed, it can be a more sustainable option for your home because it can be recycled and repurposed, minimising waste caused by future home renovations. Other sustainable benefits of granite worktops are their long life which means they don&#;t need replacing regularly, as well as it not emitting harmful gas during production and not containing harmful chemicals.
7. Kitchen Confidence with Heat Resistance Granite Worktops
Granite is a natural resource that is derived from hot magma meaning it&#;s heat resistance, a key benefit of opting for a worktop made from this material. It&#;s a standout feature for avid cooks and those who enjoy hosting gatherings as a practical benefit is the convenience of being able to place hot pans and pots down on the surface. For peace of mind in the kitchen, granite countertops should be your number one choice.
8. Embrace Unique and Natural Patterns in your Worktops
When it comes to creating a truly captivating and distinctive kitchen or bathroom space, the unique and natural patterns found in granite countertops are unrivalled. No two slabs are the same, giving you a one of a kind appearance to your worktop and home.
Whether you desire a classic and elegant look or a bold and modern aesthetic, there is a granite pattern that perfectly suits your style and personal taste. Plus a range of kitchen edges can add additional character to your home.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the unique patterns of granite also provide a practical advantage. The natural variations in the stone help to conceal minor imperfections or accidental marks, making your countertop appear cleaner and well-maintained even with everyday use.
9. Invest in Your Home: Boost Resale Value with Granite Countertops
Architects, builders, interior designers, and homeowners loudly sing the praises of granite for its many uses, as well as the increase in value that granite countertops can add to your property. Due to the beauty of granite and it&#;s durability, it&#;s a key benefit for homebuyers and therefore ads to the resale value of your home. By investing in granite, you are not only enhancing the practicality and appearance of your home now but also as a wise investment for your future.
Why Choose Granite Worktops?
As you can see, the benefits of granite worktops make them an exceptional choice for homeowners seeking both functionality and beauty in their home, key for busy areas with family or where you&#;ll be entertaining guests! Choose granite for durability, versatility and personalisation of your space.
At Surrey Marble and Granite, we are leading suppliers of Granite Worktops in the UK. You can explore our wide range of granite colours and patterns on our website or book a visit to our showroom to speak to our friendly and knowledgeable team.
Cedric Mattock
Owner & Managing Director
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