The Advantages of Granite Countertops

If you've ever been in a home with granite countertops or bathroom vanities, you know how much elegance they bring to an area. Easy to clean and available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, granite counters are chosen by most to accentuate their kitchen or bathroom. These are only a few of the advantage of granite countertops that we detailed in an article a while back.

We also noted in the article:

When granite is used as a countertop, shelf, or fireplace surround very little care is necessary to maintain the inherent beauty and finish

Unlike other types of natural stones, granite doesn't require all that much maintenance. You can be sure to enjoy your granite countertops for a long time as long as periodic cleaning and maintenance is done.

Read the entire article: "Granite and Marble - The Advantages of Using Natural Stone for Countertops and Flooring."

Pick A Color For Your Granite Countertop And Feel Its Effect

Choosing the color scheme for your new home or remodeling project can be a joyful experience, but it can also be a challenge. You’ll want to coordinate the color of your Minneapolis granite countertops with that of the cabinets, walls and floor. Depending on your personal preferences, you may choose a Monochromatic scheme and go with several different shades of a similar color, or you may decide on either an Analogous scheme with slightly different colors, or a Complementary color approach.

Any of these methods are okay. It’s a matter of personal taste, and you are the one who will be enjoying it for years to come. Cabinet and wall colors can be changed fairly easily, but the floors and especially your granite countertops, are what they are. Floors can be covered with carpets or rugs, but the color you choose for your granite is what you are going to be looking at for a long time. Choose it with great care.

Your choice of colors can have a strong affect on the mood of any room. You should give a lot of thought to whether you want a room to feel warm and wholesome (orange), elegant and sophisticated (black), or happy and optimistic (yellow). There are plenty of other moods that can be suggested by colors. And fortunately, granite is available in hundreds of colors.

If you would like some more insight into which colors project which moods, you can read the article, “The Right Color Choice For Granite Countertops Can Set The Mood of Your Home.”

Granite Countertops: Types of Finishes for Granite Counters

One of the most important facets of any installation of granite countertops is picking the right finish, colors and edges. We discussed this a while back in an article, noting:

If you are looking for a new way to increase your home's resale value or merely tired of the standard countertops in your home or bath, then granite countertops are just what you need. You will find the color choices to bold, beautiful and surprisingly affordable and the finishes to be vast and varied.

There are a wide variety of finishes available for countertops: high-gloss, honed and more. There's also:

• Abrasive is a flat non-reflective surface and is often used for outdoor installations 
• Acid etched granite countertops have been given a look of aging by the application of abrasives or acids
• Brushed finishes are somewhat coarse to the touch; the look is achieved by using a rotary -type wire brush on the granite's surface.
• Brush-hammered finishes have been achieved by a mechanical process and can vary as much as the granite itself.
• Flamed or thermal finished granite has been roughed by heat and exposes the grains of the stone. This is popular in granite flooring.
• Honed finishes have very little light reflection. It is especially nice for floors, stair treads, thresholds and in other areas that receive high amounts of traffic/use.
• Polished granite brings out the true beauty of the stone showing the movement to its fullest advantage. It is frequently used on walls, furniture, and floors.
• Sandblasted finishes have a matte-like textured and little or no gloss. Like the abrasive finish, this is a great choice for outdoor countertops.

 Want more information on granite countertops for your home? Visit www.UniversalStone-Inc.com.