Granite is a top choice for countertops among many homeowners. In fact, it has been a consistent choice for many years, probably due to its quality, beauty, and elegance. However, quality is not a matter of opinion. It’s something you need to be sure about when choosing a granite countertop for your kitchen.
While we can all agree not many materials can match granite’s elegance and glow, several areas should be of great interest, and you should focus on them to ensure you purchase a quality granite countertop.
Here are four tips on how you can identify quality granite countertops.
#1 Go for One with Uniform Thickness
One thing you need to consider when shopping for a granite countertop is its thickness. During granite extraction, machines remove massive slabs from the earth. Upon transfer to factories or manufacturing sites, these huge slabs are cut into smaller chunks for ease of management. These thinner chunks are the same ones used for making countertops.
Unfortunately, in an attempt to make as many countertops as possible, some manufacturers will make the slab excessively thin. As a result, they compromise on the countertop quality, leading to reduced durability of the countertop.
Initially, granite countertops were two centimeters thick. This was the industry standard, though they involved a lot of work. Subsequently, the expenses tend to be more. This is because you have to include a support layer when installing the slab. What’s more, they require homeowners to laminate the front-facing edges with an extra strip to create an edging. This makes them less attractive.
On the other hand, three-centimeter thick countertops are now more preferable because they offer extra thickness. Do you know how much 33 percent additional thickness means to your countertop’s durability? A lot, indeed. Moreover, you need no support layer (plywood) or additional lamination. Ultimately, you have a countertop of more quality, strength, and durability.
To simply put this, thicker granite is of better quality than thin granite due to the added durability. When shopping for a granite countertop, go for one with uniform thickness, not forgetting the thicker slab (three centimeters). It’ll guarantee you the highest durability and strength that comes with natural stone.
#2 Ensure Homogeneity of Colors
Another important tip is to look for color uniformity. A granite countertop shouldn’t have nonuniform color whatsoever. If the installing company brings you such a countertop, reject it immediately. This often happens where you need two or more slabs for your kitchen.
A quality granite countertop should be uniform in color. Even after sealing, the color shouldn’t change at all. To check on whether the color is natural, rub the granite with a piece of cloth wet with petrol or kerosene. If the cloth comes out with color, reject the slab immediately. That shows there must be some artificial color within the granite.
Ensure your granite countertop has a natural homogenous color that doesn’t come out in any way. That is a quality item that will withstand color change under various harsh conditions.
#3 Density is Essential
We are living in a world where everything original has a fake alternative somewhere. Enemies of progress, the cons, seem to have mastered the art of counterfeiting really well. Therefore, you need to watch out for the density of granite when shopping for a granite countertop. Else you may take home “granite” instead of granite.
Minerals in granite such as feldspar and quartz make it have a higher density than most other igneous rocks used for countertops. It’s one of the densest countertops you’ll ever come across.
Higher density guarantees more strength and durability.
#4 Intricate Veining Portrays Quality
The beauty and strength of granite countertops are on another level. While looking for a quality granite countertop, you need to check on the veining patterns for originality. Remember, granite is a natural material. Therefore, every slab should feature different intricate veining patterns unique to that particular slab.
This means that the countertop you get for your home will be distinct from any other anywhere. The unique and intricate veining, colors, and speckles in granite distinguish it from any other material.
Therefore, any quality granite countertop should have these features, confirming to you that it’s genuine.
Conclusion
You wouldn’t want to invest in a poor quality granite countertop to regret later. With the help of the above four tips, identifying a quality granite countertop will be easy. Check to ensure the thickness is uniform, the color is homogenous, and the granite features intricate veins. You’ll have brought in a valuable addition to your kitchen that’ll last for many years.