Friday, May 29, 2009

Top 5 Buying Tips For Granite Countertops

Granite is a natural stone that is among the most popular materials used for home décor. In fact, it is a very hard stone and as far as hardness quotient is concerned it ranks right after the diamond. Different continents including Africa, Asia, America and Europe produce granite in good quantity. Like diamond granite too, has an innate beauty that has achieved a perfect blend with its toughness. So, granite has a history that is old, strength that is extraordinary and beauty that is unsurpassable.

No wonder therefore, that granite has become one of the greatest choices for the home makers to decorate their houses. In fact, the brilliant colors and textures of granite are sure to add beauty to your home. When it comes to granite countertops, the color ranges from white to red, green, black, blues and many other exotic shades. Since it is constructed naturally out of molten rocks, different minerals and other elements have resulted in the variations in color and texture.

However, the innumerable variations of the granite have made it difficult for the buyers to make the right choice. Sometimes, the names can be confusing and it is not possible to pick up the best unless you have a fair idea about the entire thing.

The first step that you should take while buying the granite countertop is to look for options. This is why, it is important to spot a warehouse that has plenty of stocks. This will allow you to have a look at the different types of granites available. However, you should remember that the color of the granite varies from slab to slab. So, unless they have a total slab in store, you are not likely to get similar granite tiles.

It is a good idea to carry a sample of the cabinet with you. So, when a piece of the stone impresses you, you can place the sample on it and see whether it suits the cabinet or not.
In case you are building a new home, the granite countertop should be selected before deciding over the color of the flooring. On the other hand, if you already have a floor, you should bring a sample of that color with you while purchasing the granite countertop. This will make sure that the granite matches with the color of the floor. However, a similar color will not look good; instead the colors should complement each other.

While making the selection, you must ensure that the stone has an appeal that will make others fall in love with it. Sometimes, you will find colors that look good but are not lovable. Remember that you have to live with the stone that you have chosen. So, it is better to avoid such ones.

After making the final selection, you should ask the warehouse to take out couple of slabs and observe them. At this stage, you should ensure that the slabs have the same color. Also, mark out if there is any awkward spot and ask them to exclude the portions while cutting the slabs. You can also visit them during the cutting process.

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