How to Pick the Right Stone for Granite Kitchen Countertops

Picking the right stone for your granite kitchen countertops needs some knowledge and awareness. This guide walks you through the basics of how to pick the right stone for your granite kitchen countertops.

Granite kitchen countertops are becoming increasingly popular these days because of their elegance and durability. Being natural, granite is found in solids, speckled, veins; breathtaking choices for kitchen countertops.

Before one rushes to the closest fabricator and picks the first granite available for their kitchen, it's important to plan for the right stone for kitchen countertops. One might wonder, what's the big deal in choosing a stone?
What's the worst that could happen? Well, bad granite countertops do turn into kitchen nightmares.

Follow these simple rules and pick the best stone for your granite kitchen countertops.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose the Right Color
   
   Granite countertops come in a wide array of colors, patterns and color variations; from browns to beiges, from blues to blacks, from reds to whites. Half's the battle is won, once the right color is chosen for your granite kitchen countertop.

2. Check the size of the kitchen.
   
   Remember dark colored countertops make the area look even smaller.

3. Check the color of the kitchen cabinets?
   
   Granite countertops in contrast to the cabinets complement the kitchen.

4. The color of the kitchen granite countertop should complement the kitchen flooring, hardware and walls.

5. Check the natural light coming in the kitchen:
   
   If the kitchen is well lighted and open, the choices are countless. Special attention should be paid if it isn't. Darker countertops tend to make dark kitchens look gloomy while light countertops make it look
   spacious

6. Check the quality of granite for Kitchen Countertops:
   
   Once you're at the warehouse picking the stone for your countertop, be sure to check for the quality. Make sure the warehouse is illuminated well for anyone to note the following flaws with naked eye.

7. Look for cracks:
   
   Hairline cracks are often found in cheaper granite. Sometimes the cracks might just look like veins in the pattern, but if observed, are usually weak surface. There's always a possibility for such countertops to break during installation!

8. Look for Inconsistent Coloring:
   
   Grains, patterns, colors make granite eye-catching. Although, the stones inherit some blemishes; make sure the patterns are constant throughout. This would give the countertops a consistent flow.

9. Observe Pits:
   
   Granite contains holes known as pits. Feel the surface of the granite slab with your hand and observe the holes in the light. The lesser the pits the better the quality of granite is!

10. With the right granite countertop, you can transform your kitchen to the one you've always dreamed about. Things might get a little overwhelming because of the choices available, but with a little open mind and professional guidance, a dream kitchen is possible.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to sell the home, remember the color of the countertops should be something that everyone would prefer.

[jenng]

on 9/12/2009 Great article on How to Pick the Right Stone for Granite Kitchen Countertops 5*

[geemare]

on 9/5/2009 Lots of good information about granite. Thank you.