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How To Choose A Granite Countertop For Your Kitchen

23 March 2020

Ruben Franklin

Granite countertops are an enduring trend in home design. As experts point out, homeowners love the material because it offers a luminous and unique appearance. The presence of granite stone products in your kitchen improves your home's resale value. They'll probably also increase your delight in your kitchen. Below are the steps you'll have to take for your new granite countertops.

Decide on the Granite Form

Granite for countertops comes in two main forms. The most popular is the slab form. The contractors start with the full slab of granite and install it onto your cabinetry with little in the way of grout lining. The result is a seamless appearance.

The lesser-known form is granite tile. These tiles come in standard tile sizes, usually square. The contractors install them the same way they would any other tile. This method displays grout lines. The result is still attractive, and at a lower cost.

Pick Out Your Granite

The hardest part of the process will also be the most fun—picking out the granite. The stone comes in a vast array of colors. The most common colors are white, black, gray, and brown. Less common colors are red, green, blue, and purple.

Granite comes in three different pattern options: solid, speckled, and marbled. Solid granite isn't necessarily totally bereft of patterning. Rather, the slab shows little variation in pattern. Speckled granite shows little flakes, while marbled shows the lines you associate with actual marble.

Your choice in granite will largely be based on personal preference. Keep in mind that granite lasts a very long time. Make sure you choose granite that you're going to love for years.

Settle on a Finish Option

Your next customization option is for the finish. The most popular finish option for countertops is glossy. Glossy granite is mostly impermeable, so it doesn't stain. The finish also shows off the natural characteristics of the stone.

The honed finish is the other popular option. Fabricators still smooth the surface, but they stop the process before it becomes shiny. The result is a pleasant matte finish. A honed finish hides dirt and imperfections, but it's not as impermeable as the glossy finish.

Choose Your Edging Style

The final choice you'll make is the style of edging. Your stone masons will likely have a portfolio that shows your different edging options. Bullnose and eased edges are very common because they work with any décor style.

You'll also have a range of specialty edges. Dupont and ogee edges are ornate. The rock pitch edge looks like the contractors cracked the granite, which has its own appeal.

Follow the above steps to choose granite countertops that will be a boon in your kitchen for years.

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