Surfacing for Your Home
Few surfaces bring the natural world inside as beautifully as granite. Known for its stunning and unique visual appeal, granite is a natural stone product available in an array of colors, patterns, and finishes. And with granite, no two pieces of this natural stone are alike so you can be sure that your home surfacing will be truly one-of-a-kind. Thinking about granite for your home? Before opting for granite, take this information into consideration:
Natural Strength and Beauty
For years, granite has been one of the trendiest countertop choices because of its natural strength and beauty. Once harvested from a quarry, polished, and sealed, granite is one of the most durable natural countertops available. A granite countertop will not melt or blister when exposed to heat and it is practically scratch resistant. Try not to use granite as a cutting board, however – it can dull your knives and leave behind a metal residue that is tough to remove. These heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and impact-resistant properties have contributed to granite’s popularity as an ideal natural stone for kitchens and baths.
Untreated granite is porous, which is why most fabricators will seal a granite countertop before it is installed. Sealants protect liquids from absorbing too quickly into the stone, and with proper, regular sealing (recommended about once every 10 years), granite becomes non-porous and resistant to any bacteria, mold, or mildew that could cause damage to your countertops. In short, with proper long-term care, granite is made to last. Pro tip: ask the quarry fabricator which sealant was used for your granite slab at the time of purchase; when it comes time to re-seal, you’ll have better results if you use the same kind.
No Two Surfaces Are Alike
Granite is not only durable, but it also comes in myriad colors and patterns designed by Mother Nature. (Bright colors or pattern-less slabs are rare, and you should be aware that veining and waving can look very different on a large slab than it does on a sample. This is why it’s always preferable to view an entire slab when possible.) Because the color and veining of granite is completely dependent on where and how the rock was formed, no two pieces of granite are exactly alike, ensuring a natural and unique look for every home. Granite surfaces are heavy – it can take several strong people to life one slab – so it’s important to ensure that you have the right cabinets that can support their weight. A Swartz Kitchen & Bath designer can help you determine the best pairing for cabinets and countertops.
Minimal Maintenance and Easy to Repair
Although granite surfaces are unlikely to be damaged, they are easy to repair should damage occur. In the case of a chip or small crack, most professionals can easily repair it with a color-matched epoxy and a resealing of the surface. Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals and are generally unharmed by acids or bases. That said, using harsh cleaning chemicals on granite is neither required nor recommended; repeated use of certain chemicals could wash away the sealer over time, causing the need for more frequent resealing.
Whether you cook every day or prefer takeout most nights, day-to-day upkeep for granite surfaces is easy. However, while granite doesn’t need to be sealed as often as marble, it does require occasional resealing to retain its stain and scratch resistant qualities. Not only do you extend the lifespan of granite by resealing, but you also keep it looking brand-new for years to come.
Still not sure exactly what you want from your kitchen or bath surfacing just yet? Contact Swartz Kitchens and Baths and we’ll help you schedule an initial meeting with a kitchen designer at any of our five convenient locations.
Granite: Unique, Natural Stone Surfacing for Your Home
Natural Strength and Beauty
For years, granite has been one of the trendiest countertop choices because of its natural strength and beauty. Once harvested from a quarry, polished, and sealed, granite is one of the most durable natural countertops available. A granite countertop will not melt or blister when exposed to heat and it is practically scratch resistant. Try not to use granite as a cutting board, however – it can dull your knives and leave behind a metal residue that is tough to remove. These heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and impact-resistant properties have contributed to granite’s popularity as an ideal natural stone for kitchens and baths.
Untreated granite is porous, which is why most fabricators will seal a granite countertop before it is installed. Sealants protect liquids from absorbing too quickly into the stone, and with proper, regular sealing (recommended about once every 10 years), granite becomes non-porous and resistant to any bacteria, mold, or mildew that could cause damage to your countertops. In short, with proper long-term care, granite is made to last. Pro tip: ask the quarry fabricator which sealant was used for your granite slab at the time of purchase; when it comes time to re-seal, you’ll have better results if you use the same kind.
No Two Surfaces Are Alike
Granite is not only durable, but it also comes in myriad colors and patterns designed by Mother Nature. (Bright colors or pattern-less slabs are rare, and you should be aware that veining and waving can look very different on a large slab than it does on a sample. This is why it’s always preferable to view an entire slab when possible.) Because the color and veining of granite is completely dependent on where and how the rock was formed, no two pieces of granite are exactly alike, ensuring a natural and unique look for every home. Granite surfaces are heavy – it can take several strong people to life one slab – so it’s important to ensure that you have the right cabinets that can support their weight. A Swartz Kitchen & Bath designer can help you determine the best pairing for cabinets and countertops.
Minimal Maintenance and Easy to Repair
Although granite surfaces are unlikely to be damaged, they are easy to repair should damage occur. In the case of a chip or small crack, most professionals can easily repair it with a color-matched epoxy and a resealing of the surface. Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals and are generally unharmed by acids or bases. That said, using harsh cleaning chemicals on granite is neither required nor recommended; repeated use of certain chemicals could wash away the sealer over time, causing the need for more frequent resealing.
Whether you cook every day or prefer takeout most nights, day-to-day upkeep for granite surfaces is easy. However, while granite doesn’t need to be sealed as often as marble, it does require occasional resealing to retain its stain and scratch resistant qualities. Not only do you extend the lifespan of granite by resealing, but you also keep it looking brand-new for years to come.
Still not sure exactly what you want from your kitchen or bath surfacing just yet? Contact Swartz Kitchens and Baths and we’ll help you schedule an initial meeting with a kitchen designer at any of our five convenient locations.