Answers to Frequent Questions about Installing Granite Countertops in Your Kitchen or Bath

If you are considering remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, you should consider using granite because of its many advantages including durability, beauty, and resistance to damage such as heavy stains and scratches.
The purpose of this article is to answer many frequently asked questions you may have about using granite in your home.
What is granite and how was it created? Granite is one of the hardest rocks. It was formed, much like lava, from the extreme heat of the earth. However, unlike lava which is expelled from a volcano, granite remained trapped in the heat of the earth. As granite cooled down from the heat of the earth, what happens to it is that it turns into crystals which cause the granite to have a variety of colors. It is this varied coloration that makes each piece of granite unique in its appearance.
Where, geographically, is granite located? Granite is available in the United States but it is also located in such countries as Brazil, India, Mexico, China, Norway, Madagascar, and also in Turkey. Conditions in those countries were ideal for the creation and formation of granite.
How thick is granite? Granite comes in a variety of thicknesses including ¾ inch and 1 ¼ inches.
What are some of the traits of the natural stone granite? Granite has a polished appearance and comes in many mixed colors, shapes, and many different sizes. No piece of granite looks the same because of the result of the unique crystallization process. Other aspects of any piece of granite include its irregular shape, mixed colors, unusual patterns, and separation points.
How does the price of granite compare the price of other material that could be used as countertops in the kitchen? Many factors affect the price of granite including such factors as transportation costs, installation location, thickness of granite to be installed, and current demand for granite. Because granite can be imported from different locations around the world, price varies widely. However, surprising to many people, the price of granite can match the price of other manmade substances which makes interest in granite high as people investigate it as an alternative for countertops in their kitchen.
How does the durability of granite compare to the durability of other manmade material which could be used as kitchen countertops? Granite is much more durable than other substances such as Formica. Unlike Formica that can become scratched or scorched from the heat of a pot, granite is highly durable. It will not be harmed by the heat of a pot and it is very difficult to damage. In terms of hardness, according to recent tests, granite is harder than a stainless steel knife.
How hard is it to maintain a granite countertop? Maintenance is one of the easiest tasks when it comes to granite. All that must be done to clean a granite countertop is simply to sponge it down with soap and water. Nothing could be easier than that.