Granite is Timeless, Classic and Formed in Lava

Your St Paul home is regal, refined and deserving of only the highest quality aesthetic. Those old formica countertops are screaming to be put out of their misery. Perhaps a custom granite countertop installation is for you.

Granite has been used in building and construction throughout the ages and is a countertop favorite for many reasons. Granite is a felsic intrusive igneous rock with more than 65 percent of its content being silica. The slow cooling and crystallization occurring below the earth’s surface allows for large crystals to form in the molten rock.

Its strength, durability, colorful nature and well-textured exterior have made granite a décor staple around the world. Highly resistant to wear, tear and deterioration, a granite countertop installation will do more than just add elegance to your kitchen, it will also bring long-lasting value.

Even the ancients saw the value of granite. Throughout Egypt, pyramids, columns and sarcophagi were made of this material. Built in 1010, The Brihadeeswarar Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) in India was the world’s first temple made entirely from granite. Granite tombstones and memorials became the order of the day during the late 19^th century on the island of Great Britain, thanks largely in part to advances in steam-powered rock shaping technology.

Modern computer-based cutting technologies have made granite easier to modify for furnishing purposes, up to and including your St Paul kitchen. With free estimates and an approximate four to six hour set-up process, a granite countertop installation will have your home in touch with the old world with fresh feet planted in the new, in short order.

Would you like to learn more about granite countertop installation in St Paul or any of the surrounding areas? Call us at Universal Stone at 952-746-4690, or you can feel free to contact us to receive a Free Quote.

Preparing for Granite Countertop Installation

Now that you have scheduled your appointment for granite countertop installation at your Minnetonka home, you might be wondering what you should do to prepare. Here are a few suggestions from the professionals at Universal Stone.

You should make sure that you or another adult decision maker is at your home during the entire installation appointment. That way, if we have a question or if there is a last-minute decision to make, someone is there to answer our questions. We want to make sure your granite countertop installation appointment goes smoothly, so we will need to have some questions answered while we are there.

Make sure you remove all wall hangings, pictures and any other fragile items. That way, there is no chance that they are accidentally damaged while we are there doing the granite countertop installation work.

Be sure all items that are in your cabinets are also removed. Again, this is a precaution to make sure nothing is lost or damaged during our work there. We always take the utmost care to ensure we do not damage anything while working, but it is always better to err on the side of caution!

To make things easier for our crew, please make sure there is a clear path between where we will park our work truck and where we will be doing the granite countertop installation work. This will make it easier for our team members to carry their materials in and out of your home.

We will probably be installing the sink during the granite countertop installation process. Please make sure the sink is there and ready to go. We cannot handle the plumbing aspect of the job, but we will definitely make sure it is properly installed in your new granite countertops.

You should inform any other contractors who will be at your home during this time that we will be there working too. This helps avoid “traffic jams” or scheduling conflicts.

Finally, please make sure your kitchen is well ventilated for everyone's safety. Please have a fan running or some windows open if possible. Epoxy and some of the other materials we use can give off harmful fumes, so some air moving through the room is beneficial to everyone.

If you are interested in learning more about granite countertop installation in Minnetonka, call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690, or you can contact us to get a Free Quote.

How to Care for Granite Countertops

Universal Stone specializes in granite countertop installation in Bloomington and the surrounding areas, and we have a few suggestions for you on how to best care for them after they've been installed. 

1. After your granite countertop installation job is complete, make sure you keep them clean using three things: a mild soap (which is optional), warm water and a soft dry cloth. Wipe them down on a daily basis, and be sure to wipe up spills right after they happen. That is all you have to do to keep them looking good!

2. Granite does not always need to be resealed on a regular basis. Part of what we do for every granite countertop installation job is seal the granite before it's installed. Chances are, your granite will not need to be resealed ever again after that. It usually just depends on the type of granite you choose. A great way to see if your granite needs to be resealed is by testing it with a drop of water. If the water beads up on the countertop, the seal is fine. If the water is absorbed into the countertop, then it's time to get the granite resealed.

3. Granite counters do not need to be disinfected. They are naturally bacteria resistant. You should not use harsh or abrasive cleaners on them either, especially cleaners that have any sort of acid in them. Just make sure you dry off your granite counters after you wipe them down.

4. Granite counters are heat and burn resistant, but we still recommend that you set a hot pad down underneath any hot sauce pans or hot dishes, just to be on the safe side.

5. We also recommend that you use a cutting board when you want to cut anything on your counters after your granite countertop installation project is done. Not because you could damage your new counters, but because you could damage your knives!

If you would like more information on granite countertop installation in Bloomington and the surrounding areas, call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or you can contact us and set up your Free Quote.