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Why granite is the popular choice in kitchen countertops

 

Granite seems to have become the ongoing trend in kitchen countertops, as sales of the product continue to increase. There are several reasons why granite countertops have become so popular. It is largely because of the popularity of home building and remodeling shows on television, where granite slabs are used in the most upscale kitchen designs. Granite has also come down in price considerably in the last couple of decades because of improvements in the process of granite countertop fabrication and installation. While granite kitchen countertops were once a sign of a wealthy home, they are now seen in many middle class homes across America.     

Granite countertops are also popular because they retain their value so well. While manmade materials will deteriorate with time, granite is a natural stone that can last for generations with the right care and upkeep. It is still quite a costly enterprise install granite countertops, but it adds value to the home when it is resold or if a second mortgage is taken out. Most other home additions, such as appliances, cabinetry or flooring will only add 25 percent of their retail value to the home equity. Granite countertops add much more. Aside from the financial benefits of granite kitchen countertops, the personal enjoyment that homeowners and their families receive makes them well worth the investment. They easily coordinate with any cabinetry in a home, because the natural Earth tones of granite include so many different colors and shades. It is especially complimentary to wood. Brown and beige tones are the most popular because they work well with a variety of kitchen color schemes and offer a great deal of flexibility. Some granite carries a noticeable design within the color, while others have very small patterns. The combination of color and design means that no two kitchen countertops will look exactly alike. Since there are so many different colors and shades contained in granite slabs, they can remain in one home through many different cabinetry remodels and still look good. Dark cabinets are warmed up by a light colored stone, while light colored cabinets seem anchored by a dark stone.

Granite countertops also look good when they are matched with the cabinets. When choosing the granite for kitchen countertops, it is best not to selection from chips or color samples. They vary too much in color and movement in each slab to be captured in a single chip. It is better to go to the natural stone supplier and look at separate granite slabs. The granite slabs need to be reserved at the time they are purchased, because they may not be around later. The price for granite counter top installation ranges from $60 to $120 a square foot, but the cutting, transportation and labor are all part of the cost. Despite the strength of granite, the oversized sheets are extremely delicate and must be precisely cut, which must be left to the professionals. With all that they add to a home, though, it is still no wonder why granite countertops are so popular.