There’s no denying that a granite slab countertop is the epitome of luxury when it comes to doing a kitchen remodel. The problem some people have is choosing the perfect slab of granite. Here are 8 tips that’ll help making the decision process a little less frustrating.
When it comes to choosing granite countertops for a newly remodeled kitchen the choice can seem totally overwhelming.
With over 200 choices of natural granite colors and patterns to choose from, where do you even begin?
Throw the color of your kitchen cabinets and fixtures into the mix and it can seem all-the-more confusing!
Making your decision is tricky, but all you really need is a few simple pointers on how to select the best granite slab countertop for your kitchen.
If you’re looking for a little advice, find it all in this blog…
How to Choose the Best Granite Slab Countertop
Granite is one of the most popular kitchen countertop choices in most households across the U.S. today, and for good reason.
This robust material provides the ideal work surface for any kitchen- no matter how much you cook or not!
Granite is the ideal combination of elegance, strength, durability, and longevity for your kitchen – and it seems it’ll never go out of style.
For a few quick tips on how to choose countertop colors, patterns, and styles, these 10 steps should help…
1. Do a Little Research
Before you settle on granite as a kitchen countertop choice, it’s important to know the difference between materials which look similar to granite.
Quartz, marble and granite are all similar in appearance but have different qualities and durabilities.
Marble is a soft and porous material and is generally used for the aesthetic purposes, rather than durability.
Quartz is known as an engineered stone, and while it’s also chip and scratch resistant, it’s not as heat resistant as granite.
There’s a reason why granite is a little pricier than most materials. It lasts up to two decades and is well worth the investment. Granite offers real bang-for-your-buck.
2. Figure Out your Sense of Style
This is where a little research on your own likes and dislikes is important. You’ll need to determine the look and feel of your kitchen before meeting with your fabricator.
Ask yourself whether you prefer light or dark color granite, do you prefer pattern and texture or simplicity? Do you prefer glittery granite or a more muted look?
Next, you need to decide what type of edges you’d prefer on your granite countertops. Are you looking for rounded edges or a more pointed, sharp look?
Consider the color of your kitchen cabinets. Do you want your countertops to take center-stage or merely blend in with the rest of the kitchen?
Take some time, do some research on Pinterest and write down a list of what you’re looking for.
3. Feel Free to Ask Questions
Any granite fabricator worth their salt, such as International Granite and Stone, will welcome your questions. They should be able to give you the detailed answers you’re looking for.
Before heading to a granite fabricator showroom, make a list of questions you want to ask and take some time to get the answers you need.
Choosing to go with granite as kitchen countertop choice is an investment, so if you have your doubts, make sure to get them cleared up!
4. Decide on Color Range Beforehand
This is one of the trickiest parts of choosing granite countertops as most fabricators will offer an average of 200 colors to choose from.
One of the best pieces of advice is to choose your granite color based on your kitchen cabinetry.
You’ll also need to decide whether you want your kitchen cabinets to be the star of the show or your granite countertops.
Another deciding factor to consider is your kitchen flooring. Will your granite countertops look too similar or clash with the material of your kitchen floors?
Before heading to the fabricator showroom, narrow down your granite color choices to just three colors. Then, try and make your closest choice from there.
5. Take Kitchen Cabinetry Samples
On the topic of choosing the perfect granite color, make sure to take a sample of your finished kitchen cabinets to your showroom meeting.
While many showrooms also offer examples of kitchen cabinetry, taking an exact replica of your own can go a long way in helping you decide.
There are two popular methods of deciding on granite color:
- Choose a contrasting color to your cabinets, with veins of the same color to match your kitchen cabinets.
- Choose a matching color to your cabinets, with veins of contrasting color.
- If your kitchen cabinets are dual-colored, select a granite with shades of both matching colors.
Gray and white, as well as brown and beige, are some of the most popular granite countertop colors for most homeowners.
Remember to also consider the color of backsplash tiling around your stove or sink areas and the material of your flooring.
6. Factor in the Size of your Kitchen
This is an important deciding factor in choosing the best granite countertops, as the wrong choice can easily overwhelm your kitchen.
If you have a smaller kitchen, choose a granite slab which is lighter in color, without too much texture. This helps to open up the space.
Similarly, if your kitchen is particularly dark and doesn’t get much natural light, stay away from dark colored granite. However, dark granite with light colored veining is also an option.
With a larger kitchen, you’re able to experiment with darker colored granite as well as texture, veining, and patterns.
Patterns of granite are available in solid, speckled and marbled. Solid granite is ideal for smaller kitchens, while speckled and marbled would suit larger kitchens.
7. Understand the Quality of Granite Stone
Granite is graded according to its quality and cost. This grading is set from level one to five, with level one being the most inexpensive form of granite.
Granite is graded according to its surface pitting, fissures, veins, color, inclusions and shade variations. These are all natural elements found in granite.
The pricier the granite you choose, the more of these qualities your granite countertops should have.
Make sure to check for these qualities when making your decision, especially if your granite is being charged at a grade level four-five.
8. Don’t Forget to Put it on Hold
Unfortunately, most granite fabricators will not let you take granite samples home with you.
This is why it’s so important to put your favorite granite pieces on hold until you’ve made your final decision.
As we mentioned, granite is an extremely popular choice for homeowners, so your favorite choice could easily be swept up!
Most fabricators will allow you to place a favorite piece of granite on hold at no charge at all.
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