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5 Reasons to Have Granite Countertops in Your Kitchen

When in search of a durable, attractive material for your next countertops, you should consider granite. As a natural stone, it adds a special earthy ambiance to a kitchen and is one of the hardest natural substances in the world. If these two reasons alone do not convince you to purchase granite countertops for your home in the San Jose or San Francisco area, then read our five reasons to have them in the following information.

Granite Resists Scratching and Chipping

One top reason to have granite countertops is the fact that they are hard enough to resist scratching and chipping under normal conditions. The fact is that granite comes in just behind diamonds, rubies and sapphires in the hardness of natural materials. You would have to bang it with a hammer to mar granite, and this is not a normal activity in a kitchen. Remember, though, to be careful with extremely sharp knives and meat cleavers, as they may be sharp enough to mar the surface. Use a cutting board for chopping, slicing and dicing. Granite countertops are so durable that they just may last the life of your house when a professional installs them correctly.

Stain, Moisture and Heat Resistant 

On top of being difficult to scratch and chip, granite is resistant to stains and moisture with the appropriated sealant. The sealant is necessary since this type of stone is porous. Reapply the sealant once a year to maintain this resistance to moisture and stains. Always remove food and liquid spills immediately for easy cleaning with water and a mild kitchen cleaner. If you allow food spills to dry on the granite, you may need to scrap them off gently with a plastic scraper. The professional who installs your granite countertops will explain the type of sealant to apply yearly. Since granite is formed by pressure and heat, countertops that contain it also will be heat resistant. You can even place hot pots and pans right onto the surface without scorching it.

Each Piece of Granite is Unique

Each piece of granite is unique in color and characteristics since it is comprised of various minerals, such as:

  • Feldspar contains silica and alumina and provides a wide assortment of color enhancements to granite, including yellow, pink, brown, white and gray.
  • Quartz can provide smoky or clear highlights to granite or reflect the other elements in the stone. In addition, quartz reinforces the durability and resiliency of the granite.
  • Mica forms in layers and is considered a sheet silicate. Colors vary greatly in mica, as there are 37 different types of it. Rose, purple gray, silver, brown and dark green are just some examples of the colors that mica can provide to granite.

Highly Affordable

Another reason to consider granite countertops is the fact that it is highly affordable. The price can range between $40 and $200 a square foot, and this includes installation costs. Your costs will depend on how thick the slab is that you decide to install in your kitchen. Granite tiles also are available, and may reduce your overall price of your countertop. Discuss your choices with the professional to know your exact cost. Granite’s affordability does not stop at the initial installation price, though, as it will last for up to 30 years or more, and in this same period of time, you may have to replace comparably priced countertops at least twice.

Increases Your Home’s Market Value

The kitchen is an important room when it comes to the market value of your house. When you remodel a kitchen with such high-quality features as granite countertops, you often will not only recoup your investment, but also boost the value of your house in the process. Your house may bring thousands of dollars more on a sale, and just think how handy this extra profit will be for you and your family.

Next time that you require an upgrade on the countertops in your kitchen, decide to relish the benefits of granite countertops. You will not regret your decision.

Carmel Stone Imports is a major West Coast Importer and Wholesaler of unique and exotic first-rate quality natural stone. We are located along the Central Coast of California in Sand City next to Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach, and are approximately two hours south of San Francisco and four hours north of Santa Barbara.

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