Granite Countertops for your bathroom
Granite countertops have been all the rage in the last decade in new home construction as well as renovations and many consumers equate granite bathroom countertops with luxury, opulence and style.
This extremely popular countertop choice is quarried from deep in the earth and mined in large slabs. These slabs are hard volcanic rock filled with quartz, mica, and feldspar crystals. It is a porous rock and is used worldwide in various large scale construction projects. Granite is very durable and is extremely versatile.
Cost
Granite is expensive. It can be in excess of $100 sq ft. Many new home contractors use the high value of granite as a selling point in driving new home sales, and of course the addition of granite to a renovation will certainly increase the value of your home.
Color/Design
As with many natural stones, color can be inconsistent. You may be able to find appropriate color palettes, but remember the veining will vary from piece to piece making it very hard to find perfect matches for your bathroom. Granite colors change from quarry to quarry and by region. Do your homework and you can find the right design for you.
There are 2 different kinds of Granite available for most bathrooms, Consistent and Variegated.
Consistent Granite - Where a consistent pattern exists throughout the slab. This form of granite has a very uniform appearance and is much easier to match at the seams.
Variegated Granite - This form of granite usually has a swirling vein through out the slab varying in color. This can make it difficult to match slabs and creates some difficulty in pairing two pieces together. This is not always a draw back as variegated granite can lend a very unique look to your bathroom countertops.
Durability
Granite is extremely durable and this lends to its popularity. Granite is fantastic as it is scratch resistant due to its coloring through out the entire slab. This material is also incredibly heat resistant and will not burn. One Caveat though, granite is very porous and can therefore absorb moisture and of course stain. It needs to be used in conjunction with a sealer every six months.
Construction/Installation
If you are going to install granite countertops in your home, be sure to choose the type of stone that best suits your needs. No matter which you choose though, remember that most granite countertops will show a seam somewhere so plan for these seams in areas that will not be highly visible.
We recommend professional installation to ensure that your granite countertops are properly installed. Usually your designer or contractor can steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding the right professional for the job.
Environment/Health
Granite is not a particularly green product as it is mined from deep within the earth and is seldom recycled. Energy costs associated with the transportation of this material is also an impact on the environment. If you are not fickle about color, you can find some granite that has been salvaged, but be aware of differences in grain and of course wear and tear.
Cool to the touch, slick and sensual, granite is probably the sexiest choice available for most discerning bathroom lovers out there. Choose your colors properly and you will have a stunning result!
The oops Factor
It is durable and if treated with sealer will repel stains. Do not use abrasives to clean stains.
