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Posts Tagged ‘Countertops’

Granite countertops. Beautiful. Sophisticated. Sleek. Natural. No matter what your individualized taste or home décor, there is no doubt a color and style of granite that you will start in love with. But what about the price?  Sure we love the look of granite, but how can we swing getting granite countertops in our home without breaking the bank – how can we save on granite countertops?

Here are some tips on achieving your dream kitchen by adding granite countertops on a budget.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that granite countertops ALWAYS cost more than composite or manufactured products. Not so! As a matter of fact, there are several styles of granite that cost less than similar looking solid surface or crystal products. And while granite might never be less costly than laminate, it totally can be less costly than solid surface or quartz.

Granite comes in a wide range of color schemes depending on the area of the world in which they are cut. There are ‘standard’ granite colors and ‘exotic’ granite colors. And their cost ranges are as wide as their color ranges. Standard granite colors can cost as tiny as per square foot installed, while exotic granites can reach upwards of 0 per square foot!

There about a dozen different granite colors which are considered in the industry to be ‘standard.’  According to installers of granite countertops in Maryland, some of the colors considered standard include:

Cinnamon Sand (a medium brown tone with darker brown flecks and veins)

Tan Brown (a darker brown tone with cinnamon, deep brown and black flecks and veins)

Santa Cecilia (a light brown marbled style with black and grey veins and a medium speckled pattern)

Caledonia (a medium grey tone with greenish flecks and lighter grey veins)

Verde Butterfly (a dark green down with cinnamon and lighter green flecks and veins and a varied speckled pattern)

Canelle (a pinkish tone with light pink, grey and dark grey flecks and veins)

Ubatuba (a deep green tone with dark green and black flecks and veins)

Sapphire Blue Brown (a medium to deep brown tone with light brown, dark brown and blue flecks and veins)

Brazil Black (a deep black with dark flecks and veins)

Black Impala (a dark grayish tone with black flecks and a tight speckled pattern)

Baltic Brown (a medium brown with dark green and brown flecks and veins and a massive speckled pattern)

Sunset Gold (a light pinkish tone with brown, green and light flecks and a tight speckled pattern)

Luna Pearl (a light to medium grayish tone with dark grey flecks and a tight speckled pattern)

Many of these standard granite colors can be installed by a professional for as tiny as per square foot. So, depending on the size of your kitchen and its countertop coverage, having granite countertops installed could cost less than 00. Not bad!

Before you count out granite, do some research. Peruse the web to look at colors and styles that you like. Visit home showrooms to see various colors and style in use (granite can look a whole lot different when you see 10 feet of it compared to a few inches on a swatch), and contact a reputable granite installer who can review your options with you and wage an accurate cost estimate.

Your dream kitchen with granite countertops might just be closer than you think!

Save On Granite – About the Author:

Save On Granite offers a wide variety of granite countertops in colors and patterns to meet your individual personality. View styles online at www.saveongranite.com.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/how-to-save-on-granite-countertops-2576985.html

In the United States, granite happens to be one of the most sought after materials inside homes. Granite installers are in plenty come to your aid whether you are in New York, California, Florida or Texas. You will be assisted in remodeling your home by granite installers if you happen to be a resident of Houston, Texas. People love to decorate their houses, kitchens, dining rooms & they can do so because they can avail the services of granite installers all over the United States. People opt for granite because it presents itself as a beautiful piece to your home, but, it is also simple to maintain cleanliness & keep up the preventive measures.

You can find the Houston granite countertop installers, many, if not all in the home remodeling section. Many of the granite countertop installers in Houston can be contacted by searching the yellow pages. Stone Pavilion, the Granite Outlet Countertops & cabinets, and Brudda Granite Distributor are some examples of Houston granite countertops installers. An estimate of how much the work would cost would be prefabricated known to you by many of these Houston granite establishments. On top of that, you can get a whole range of services & products when it comes to granite materials offered by them.

The countertops, along with the granite flooring are some of the products that the Houston granite countertops installers publicize. Granite countertops, however, is the product, which a massive section of the population in Houston & the US opt for. Multiple colors & choices of the countertops are acquirable to select from. The precision of the cut that you want from the granite & the thickness of the cut will be one of the choices that you have to make. But, there will be no need for you to worry as the Houston granite countertop installers will be there to assist you while remodeling your home with granite.

Granite, marble, travertine, limestone, onyx are some of the natural stones from which countertops can be obtained. But, the people think about granite countertops as the most essential & required countertops. To meet the stipulations & fulfill the desire of the customer, natural stones are acquirable in different colors, designs & varieties. The natural beauty & the innate originality of the natural stones in various colors & designs are especially displayed in granite countertops. Proper & precise installation should be prefabricated when installing the granite countertops. Installation is definitely a must bourgeois that has to be taken into consideration by the home owner or builder. Varied differences can be seen in granite when compare to other natural stones. Not all natural stones are same & they eventually vary in durability & sustainability. However, granite countertops are simple & simple to remove & install. Granite countertops are also most commonly known for the everlasting elegance that they provide.

Granite countertops are the first choice when it comes to kitchen design & remodeling, thanks to their artistic appeal & durability. They are not only attractive, but, are also some of the hardest stones that are used in furnishing homes. In granite, one of the ideal features is that you get to select from a variety of colors & some of the trendiest too. Black granite countertops wage a class & vintage look. You can select from tiny stones, patterns with crystals along with solid, fine black. But, most common countertop granite color shade would be Beige & Brown. They usually blend with nearly nay kitchen countertop as they are neutral in tones. Green granite countertops, though less favourite than the brown, are evenhandedly inexpensive & present a natural color to any kitchen. But, recently, blue color granites have become a favorite among homeowners due to its capability to blend with nearly anything.

Therefore, these are some factors that need to be considered while choosing granite countertops.

kusuma – About the Author:

John is an expert author for Granite Countertops, He has written many articles like Marble Countertops, Granite Texas, Granite New Orleans and Granite Countertops,. For more information visit our site http://www.graniterocktops.com. Contact me at brayan.peter@gmail.com.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/facts-of-choosing-granite-countertops-1113883.html

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Installing granite countertops in your kitchen or bathroom has now become much easier, thanks to the free samples that are acquirable online.

Note: Click here to download a free ebook ‘20 Granite Countertop Questions Answered’ and get access to free countertop samples.

Granite tiles or slabs wage a one-of-a-kind and long-term home remodeling solution. By installing granite countertops, you will be finishing your home with one of the toughest, most sophisticated natural stone choices on the market.

Best of all, no two slabs are alike – you will therefore be creating a unique-looking, luxurious kitchen. You can also be sure that with good care, the splendid looks of your slab or granite tile countertop installation will not drop over time.

Let’s take a look at the 10 main benefits of installing granite countertops:

1. Adding Value To Your Home With Granite

It is nearly a given that with elegant granite counter top colors brightening your kitchen, you will be adding to the value of your property. Such a mini kitchen remodeling job, can be a sound investment. It adds such style to a kitchen – just what you need when you have a ‘For Sale’ sign outside later on. If you have funds from a home improvement loan available, this makes much more sense than adding new carpeting for instance.

2. Granite Countertop Cost Spells Inexpensive Aesthetic Appeal

Granite is a natural material that is freely available. It has been around for centuries, yet the trend towards home use has only taken hold in the last forty years or so. While it might seem costly compared to other options, it comes with a measure of durability that can turn out to be more of a investment for the homeowner than many other remodeling projects. It is a practical and captivating solution for kitchen or bathroom cabinets.

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3. Granite Counter Top Colors Display Nature’s One-of-a-kind Designs

The slabs come with subtle elements of color and variety that no man-made product can duplicate fully. It makes a individualistic design statement in your home and adds character to kitchens. You will note that the colors change constantly, as the light in the room changes. The color, specks and other patterns are all the way through the stone, not just a layer on top as with most man-made alternatives. These characteristics are different in each piece of stone you use when installing granite countertops.

An astonishing array of colors are available. This is in part due to the fact that the material is quarried from all over the world. Each area’s stone has its one-of-a-kind qualities. Shading varies from light to all the rich, warm and deep tones. Discount granite countertops can be coordinated with nearly any sink finish and accessory type, from ceramic to copper and stainless steel. This is not simply a new fad. It has been around for ages and has a solid track record, so to speak.

4. Banish Bacteria When Installing Granite Countertops

Due to its texture, this is one of the most sanitary materials for a kitchen. As it isn’t porous, it won’t be prone to harboring bacteria and other kitchen no-no’s. Mold and mildew won’t get a grip here. Of course, if you make use of granite tiles, you will still have grout lines that are prone to mildew problems and staining.

5. Caring For Granite Countertops Isn’t Difficult

Maintenance is evenhandedly simple, provided you use some common sense. Daily cleaning will involve tiny more than a swift wipe with a soft cloth or some paper towels. Use ordinary soapy water. Due to the dense grain the stone isn’t very porous and staining therefore isn’t a major problem. Once it has been sealed or polished, it is resistant to moisture. The sealing needs to be repeated each 1 to 3 years. Learn to clean as you go along. It is just so much simpler and safer to wipe a mess immediately.

6. Granite In A Family-Friendly Kitchen

In nearly all respects this is an option that is fine with children in the home. There is very tiny that they can do that will alteration your counters. Perhaps you should just ask them not to hang from the more vulnerable edges, as this might cause a problem in the long run.

7. Room For Repairing Granite Countertops

This stone has another feature that makes it popular. If you do have an area that is damaged, it can be repaired. Just don’t attempt this yourself. Talk to your supplier, describing the flaw, and get expert advice.

8. Granite Is A Tough Cookie

The hard surface can’t be scratched, except by more granite or diamonds. This is where its practicality for kitchen use comes in. You can’t afford to tip-toe around cabinets and work stations. You need to be healthy to do your job without fear of harmful the surface. When installing granite countertops, you will have this reassurance. The fact that it won’t become scratched is one of the main reasons why it retains its shiny appearance for so many years.

9. Granite Can Withstand Heat

These surfaces cope admirably with temperature changes and won’t blister or crack. It can even resist frying pan heat. No hot griddle will leave a reminder on your new countertops. Even so, it is advisable to still use pads or trivets when working with hot items.

10. Why Cooks Have Fun Installing Granite Countertops

Cooks love working on solid granite. You can even cut on it without harmful the surface. And you will be astonished by how well your dough suddenly turns out. The cold surface is perfect for handling pastry.

When installing granite countertops, you might just discover that the whole family suddenly becomes keen on cooking!

You can download ‘20 Granite Countertop Questions Answered’ and get access to free countertop samples.

Neels Theron – About the Author:

Visit Home-Improvement-Time.com: Get your granite countertop questions answered by reading a free report and getting access to many free countertop samples!

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/10-benefits-of-installing-granite-countertops-durable-kitchen-to-bathroom-color-3210521.html

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One of the marble countertops and granite countertops maintenance tips is to let them undergo stone sealing to ensure their longevity and their great appearance. Though granite and marble can use some stone sealing, the sealing process itself is not really that necessary, and with proper care of the stones, one can anticipate them to last for ages without sealing.

But what does sealing do? Stone sealing protects stone surfaces and also forms a conserving layer on the stones to prevent moisture and any other contaminant from penetrating the stone and cause alteration to it. This is because stone naturally has pores, and water and acids can seep through those pores and alteration the stones’ color and structural integrity. That means, granite countertop and marble countertop sealing makes it harder for stains to form, and for water to weaken the stones’ durability and toughness.

But as mentioned earlier, stone sealing can be forgone and not done at all. This is because marble and granite are naturally tough. Care and maintenance of these stones is not that hard to do, especially for granite kitchen countertops. All you need to do is clean the surfaces regularly with warm water and mild soap or detergent, and these stones will be as fine as day. These stones by nature are long-lasting and durable.

But is sealing really useless? Not really. As stated earlier, sealing affords some endorsement to the stone, so you’re basically making tough stone slabs tougher, and thus ensure more that they are going to last longer. Aside from that, part of the reasons why stone is sealed is for peace of mind; when one knows that the stone slabs are sealed, one can be assured that their appearance is preserved and your investment is protected. It can also make for easier maintenance of your stone countertops as sealing ensures that stains are kept out and can easily be removed from the stone surfaces.

The final question is, should you seal, or not seal? Sealing is good for your stones, but it is not a requirement. Keeping your stone countertops, like granite worktops, in mint condition just requires diligent cleaning on your part. But that doesn’t mean that the stones couldn’t use some sealing. If you have the financial resources for it, then sealing the stones regularly is a good way to ensure that the stone slabs are going to last longer.

Yanita – About the Author:

yanita

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/on-sealing-your-stone-countertops-981979.html

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