By Hatchett Design/Remodel (Hatchettdesignremodel.com)
The most popular natural stone countertop material – granite is what many homeowners turn to when it’s time to upgrade. The sharpest knives won’t scratch it, and a bubbling pot won’t mar it. Granite is available in hundreds of colors, both bold and muted, including shades of white, black, gray, green, blue, red, pink, yellow and tan. Patterns are speckled, dotted, veined and more. Every piece possesses its own mineral makeup, meaning each countertop is a unique work of art.
What is it? An igneous rock (formed by the cooling and solidifying of molten materials) composed chiefly of quartz and feldspar, granite is one of the hardest surfaces on earth. Because of the considerable variation, it’s wise to visit the stone yard to choose your own piece if possible to avoid surprises.
If you’re considering granite for a remodeling project, here are five things to know.
1. Selecting Granite
Granite is a natural material mined from the earth composed primarily of quartz and feldspar. It is sold by the slab. Slabs come in different sizes ranging from about four feet to nine feet in length. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, you may need more than one slab. For a kitchen consider a large slab to minimize seams, a 9-foot slab may adequately cover a counter seamlessly. Select slabs from the same lot if your project requires that you use more than one for uniformity of color and pattern.
Generally granite slabs are 1.25 inches thick. Each slab will have a unique pattern, or movement. The price of granite can vary with color, rarity of the slab, the type of edging and the number of cuts needed for installation.
2. Finishes
There are three basic finishes for granite:
* Polished. Achieved through a grinding and buffing process, this type of treatment leaves stone with a sleek, slippery surface and high-gloss finish. It is best known for its ability to reveal the true color and character of marble and granite. A polished finish is the easiest to maintain and reduces porosity.
* Honed: Also known as a matte finish, this type of finish is achieved through a sanding process and leaves marble and granite with a satiny-smooth surface. Stone with a honed finish requires more frequent resealing but is less slippery and known to conceal flaws better than other finishes since it does not have a reflection. For this reason, honed finishes are ideal for casual, low traffic areas.
* Leather. A leather finish on granite is a textured finish that hides smudges and fingerprints. A leather finish works well on dark granite. Leathered granite should be cleaned daily with a granite cleaner and microfiber cloth. It can also be polished with a granite polish to reduce the absorbency.
3. Edges
The type of edging you choose can impact the cost of fabrication. The most common types of edge profiles for granite are:
* Square. This profile works well on kitchen perimeter counters.
* Half bull nose. A rounded edge with a flat bottom.
* Bullnose. A full rounded edge.
* Beveled. An angle cut edge.
* Ogee. A curved cut edge often used on kitchen islands.
4. Care
Granite counters should be wiped daily with a dampened soft cloth. Mild non-abrasive household cleansers can be used. Granite should be sealed annually and some finishes more frequently. Check the vender’s guidelines for granite maintenance.
5. Other Uses
Granite can be used for fireplace surrounds and hearths, for threshold stripping in showers, shower seats and shower accent trims. Granite can also be cut into tiles and used for kitchen backsplashes. Its luster and versatility add style to a home.
