The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal
countertop material for aesthetic and practical purposes in most any
kitchen. In addition to its natural strength, granite is a very
beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room. Although granite
countertops are quite popular, a homeowner may not want to spend the
premium price for granite, or may live in an area subject to
limitations on resale values. In cases like this, discount granite
countertops are an attractive option.
Granite is relatively expensive, with prices
starting at $60 a square foot. The majority of the cost is not in the
stone itself, but in the quarrying, transportation, polishing and
installation. Typically homeowners will contribute labor on
improvements to reduce costs, but installing granite countertops should
be left to the professionals. However, a large marketplace with
numerous suppliers and substantial discounts creates a price range that
allows anyone to have granite countertops in their home.
Granite suppliers will typically have three or
four groupings of granite to choose from. The suppliers will refer to
their groupings or ??tiers?? by numbers. The first tier will include
the premium products that sell for the highest price. A stone is
grouped based on several criteria, including country of origin, color,
veins or patterns, thickness of the slab, amount of soft minerals in
the stone, and fashion trends. Granite from lower tiers has the same
beauty and utility as the slabs in the upper groupings. Additionally,
stones in a lower tier could be harder than some stones in a first
tier, so it pays to get out and look around.
While granite from the lower tiers exhibits the
hardness granite is known for, the presence of softer minerals may
require additional cabinet supports or a penetrating sealant. Thinner
cut stone may be a little less than two centimeters instead of a
recommended three; if so, the installer can provide additional
stability by laminating it to plywood backing. Discount granite
suppliers will typically deal with a thinner cut stone, and many
suppliers now carry stones that are intentionally cut thin and
laminated at the quarry.
Another option would be having granite tile
countertops. Tiles are fashioned from the same desirable stone as solid
granite countertops. All elements of the granite remain the same, with
exception to the size of the granite slabs. Granite tiles, while
needing special care, can be installed (with the right tools and
preparation) by a homeowner.
Granite tiles are laid in the same manner as
ceramic tile, with consideration for the additional thickness of the
stone. All of the countertops in the kitchen can be covered in tile, or
a few large tiles can be inlaid to other countertop surfaces such as
Formica. Strategically placed twenty-four inch granite tiles inlaid
near the range or oven allow for searing hot pans to be placed on an
otherwise delicate countertop. A thirty-six inch granite tile set into
the counter work area serves as an excellent surface for rolling dough
and working with confectionery.
The homeowner on a tight budget has many options
for to providing a touch of luxury with discount granite countertops.
Today, many manufacturers will fabricate the countertops in the country
of origin, which reduces the costs attributed to waste and shipping
fees. Although prefabricated countertops are made with thinner slices
of stone, they are laminated to plywood for strength. Prefabricated
pieces are also cut to fit basic lengths and L-shaped counter layouts
of most kitchens, allowing for lower costs related to installation.
Another benefit with prefabricated pieces is that the country of origin
will typically have lower wages for labor, which greatly saves on
installation costs.
Discount granite countertops have proven to be a
wise investment for any homeowner. Clever design and planning allow
homeowners to enjoy the benefits of granite without the traditional
large expense.¡¡
(cn-stonenet.com)
