How to Buy the Best Granite Countertops?

How to Buy the Best Granite Countertops?

Most people have countertops in their kitchens and bathrooms. One of the primary features that countertop buyers look for is the hardness, utility, elegance and ease of cleaning and maintenance of the product. This is precisely the reason why granite countertops are the most popular. Besides its functional uses, it is also a beautiful material that adds colors and also keeps the ambience warm in the room. It is a fact that normal granite countertops, if applied on a kitchen or used during remodeling, can be a bit expensive than other countertops, but it is still the first choice for many people.

The biggest drawback for the stone industry is that the pricing is not regular. People dealing with stones, in different tiers, can decide on their own price according to the market demands. Some dealers who provide complete service can charge up to 40 percent extra above the normal price. Similarly, the suppliers of granites also have multi-levels. The top tier suppliers charge the most and establish the final price based on certain features like origin, color, thickness, percentage of soft materials present, and also the movement of color pattern in the stone. However, the lower tiers also provide stones with same features like the top-level suppliers. Lower level suppliers, who are also known as commercial grade stone supplier, provide stones that are harder than the others, hence, it is a good idea to survey the market before purchasing. These granites also have a large number of pits, which must be filled in. The soft minerals present in the stone also affect the final price.

The recommended thickness for a granite slab is three centimeters, but in most cheap stones, you would find it to be just two centimeters. This is accounted for by laminating the stone with plywood for extra support during the installation. Mostly, the low priced granites deal with this type of thin and cheap granite slabs and are now followed by most suppliers. The Asian and Indian granites are deliberately cut down to thin slabs, laminated and then fabricated before they are shipped. This pre-fabrication reduces the price as the lighter material is being shipped, thus, reducing the cost. Another factor that makes a major change to the price is the fact that the fabrication is done in countries where the worker wage is low which saves a lot of money.

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