Granite Counter Tops

Granite counter tops are worth their weight, well, in granite! Hands down granite counter tops are the buzz word in kitchens. You can have your Formica counters, your quartz counters, but granite is considered top of the line regardless of whether or not that is true.

Granite comes in a number of different grades which effect the base cost of the stone as can the demand for a particular variety of granite. This is usually determined first by the quarry of origination and then by the fabricator based on local circumstances and demand. There is no standard or universal grading system for granite.

The quarry uses 4 grades of classification: 1) monument, 2) building, 3) utility, and 4) waste or landscape.

Fabricators will grade their inhouse inventory based on the demand, cost of acquiring the stone, cost of cutting, polishing and other finishing tasks. Additional charges include transportation of the stone, number of seams, design of edging and the number of cutouts required.

The more elaborate the edging, the more you're going to pay for slab of stone. the more joints required, the more it's going to cost. In a complete kitchen overhaul, pay attention to where stoves and sinks are going to reduce the miters and cutouts.

Although granite is scratch resistant, it is not scratch proof. It is also stain resistant, not stain proof. Granite should be sealed every year to maintain its stain resistant qualities.

Granite Installation

While some handy folks have been known to cut and install their own granite counters, it is not easy. It is very dusty, very heavy and can be easily broken during the installation. Granite also requires some specialize tools for cutting and polishing that most handymen don't readily have available in their toolboxes.

Engineered Granite Surfaces

Engineered granite surfaces are designed to go over existing counter tops, usually without having to remove the old tops. Solid granite counter tops are typically 1" - 1.25" thick. Engineered counter tops are about 1/2" thick, with an edging that makes it appear to be 1" - 1.25" thick.

Engineered Granite Surfaces are essentially a crushed stone that is combined with a resin to create a product that looks much like the real thing, but is usually stronger and requires less maintenance (no sealers). The square footage cost of the product is about the same as the real thing depending on the grade of granite you decide to compare it with. The main advantage is that you don't have to remove the old counter tops for the installation.

Engineered granite is actually a stronger product than the real stone. The cured resin binding the granite and quartz particles is extremely durable. Installed correctly, which means the thin, engineered surface is bonded to the existing substrate, the counter top is almost impervious to cracking or staining.