How much do you actually know about granite? Here at Best Buy Interior Finishes & Granite, our goal is to keep you informed so that you can make the best decision possible when it comes to not only your home, but also your personal style. Granite is one of the most popular materials used for countertops. There are so many options and styles to choose from, and it can easily become overwhelming for buyers. But that’s why we are here, to give you the cold, hard, facts when it come to granite and choosing something that will be the best fit for your project.
Recognized as one of the most useful materials on the planet, granite rarely chips or scratches and is comparable to diamond when considering durability. Granite is not indestructible however, while extremely tough, granite can easily be considered brittle and is not very flexible. It is recommended that you avoid placing great amounts of pressure or weight on your granite as that will tend to make it crack, whereas a substance like wood will bend slightly in accommodation to excessive weight. Another feature of unmatched durability of granite is its ability to resist damage from dropping something, knives, or other mishaps. Exceptionally resistant to scratches, you don’t have to worry about anything happening to your countertop when cutting up food, or preparing dinner, and the danger of damage rest more upon your knives being worn out and dulled from use on granite. While it is never recommended that you test your granite countertops, granite is also naturally resistant to being damaged by heat, giving you the ability to set down that casserole dish when you can’t find a hot pad.
One of the biggest draws of granite is its wide range of colors; Best Buy Interior Finishes offers granites in over 100 different colors and a variety of styles. Prices for granite can depend on the color, style of countertop edge, and amount purchased, but a lot of people don’t know that aside from appearing different, the darker the color of the granite, the denser it tends to be. When choosing which style or color of granite to purchase for your project it is important to consider all the factors. When looking at samples of granite you should focus more on the color as opposed to the pattern, as the pattern of the granite can tend to change or be less consistent than color on a full slab. Another major thing to consider is the lighting, don’t judge the appearance of a sample by the lighting in the showroom as it will almost always be different from the lighting in your home. Request samples to take home for consideration within the actual room you are going to install the new countertops. We also recommend that you focus the color scheme of your project around the granite style and color that you prefer. This may sound backwards at first, but cabinets and walls can be repainted while your granite is not as easy to change.
After you have finished your project there are a few tips that can help extend the life of your countertops and maintain the quality. When cleaning granite, avoid using vinegar or other acidic based cleaners as they will eat away at the granite; instead just use some water and a little soap to retain that brand new shine. Additionally, about every 12 months, you should test your granite countertops to see if they require resealing. You can do this by pouring a little water on the counter and leaving it for about 10 minutes, after wiping it up, if no discoloration has occurred, then your countertops do not require resealing. If the water has left a mark, you should schedule a professional resealing as water soaking into the pores of your granite can damage it if not addressed.
Best Buy Interior Finishes & Granite can help you make the right choices to fit your personal style and needs. Our beautiful showroom is located at 585 South Route 59 in Aurora, IL. Feel free to contact us at 630-791-5472 to see how we can help you with all your home project needs.
