Cuntertops play a major role in projecting a perfect image of a kitchen. To add some aesthetic element in the kitchen more and more people are using granite as counter tops. The reason is not far to see, granite is very hard and can last very long.
There are a variety of these stones available that you can choose from. When choosing the right granite for your kitchen counter top you need to take into considerations certain factors to make your decision.
The first factor is the color of the granite. Granite in nature has been formed from molten magma containing mica, silicon, feldspar, quartz and many such minerals. These minerals are present in the stone in various proportions. Different colors of the stones largely depend on the proportion of these minerals present in each part of the stone. The shine in the stone is due to the crystalline nature of its grains. Depending on the style or theme of your kitchen, you can choose the color of the granite for the counter tops. If your kitchen style is modern, you can choose colors like black, gray or white for the counter tops. On the other hand if you have a traditional look for your kitchen you can then choose earthly tones to go with it.
Cost is another factor that will decide the extent to which you can go. The cost again has some factors that go to calculate it. In general the cost of granite is calculated on square foot basis. Apart from this there is the factor like edges, backsplash and other special sections for which extra cost is charged. And if you intend to have special corners or sections then the cost will go up accordingly. When you are thinking of using granite in your kitchen you need to take into account such extra costs before you commit yourself to installing granite in your kitchen.
Another important factor that needs to be considered is the weight factor. You should be aware that granite is not a light material, it can weight between 25 to 30 pounds per square foot. With this knowledge you need to make sure that the cabinets on which the granite counter top will be placed should be strong enough to hold the weight. See to it that you don’t have to build sub-deck under the granite counter top in order to counter the weight of the granite.
After you have installed the granite counter top, you should make it a point to take good care of it. You should use proper cleaners to clean the granite surface; avoid chemical cleaners including liquids like mustard, oils, wines and anything acidic which is sure to ruin the granite counter top. You should also make it a point to know about various materials that can spoil the granite counter top so that you can avoid them. If the granite counter top is maintained regularly, it will last you a lifetime without losing its shine.
Therefore if you are thinking of upgrading your kitchen with granite, you need to consider these factors in order to get right decision.