Installing Granite Countertops in Toronto
If you are
considering installing granite countertops in Toronto, you are fortunate to
have access to some of the best stone suppliers in the world. Several
knowledgeable
and reputable stone importer-distributors provide granite slab countertops to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Partnering with a great stone supplier will help you make decisions about your
purchase and ensure that you will love the granite you choose.
Granite is an
igneous rock formed when magma cools beneath the earth's surface. The molten
lava most often contains veins of quartz and feldspar, giving granite its
distinctive look. Each slab of granite is unique, making your kitchen
countertop a one-of-a-kind natural work of art! Most granite slabs are imported
from Brazil, India, China, Italy, and South Africa. Other countries that
provide granite include the Canada, the USA, Portugal, Spain, Norway, and
Russia.
Choosing a Granite Slab
Here are some
tips for choosing just the right granite slab for your kitchen:
- Choose
the granite slab first. It's easier to match paint, cabinets, and floor
to a particular piece of granite than it is to match granite to other design
elements. Choosing it first ensures that the granite countertop will become the
focus for the room. If you have already put other design elements in place, be
sure to bring them along to the warehouse when you select your granite. You
might bring a paint chip, a spare floorboard, or a cupboard door to help you
make your selection.
- Choose
the slab in person. This brings us to an important point – always
choose the slab in a stone warehouse or showroom, in person. Many people make
the mistake of selecting their slab from a photograph. Seeing the actual stone
makes a difference!
- Choose
slabs from the same lot. Granite is quarried in "lots” – ie, in a large
block, which is then sliced into layers. These are the slabs. If you're
installing a kitchen countertop, chances are that you will need more than one
slab, particularly if you have a countertop plus an island to cover. If so,
choose slabs from the same lot, and preferably ones numbered consecutively.
This helps to keep the colour and patterning consistent throughout.
- Granite
has many names. If you find a type of granite online that you
want to see, and you can't find it in the showroom, ask an expert. Granite can
have different names, according to the custom of the granite importer or
distributor.
- There is
a wide range of granite prices. Granite varies in price, starting low with the
most common varieties, but rising higher for exotic types of stone. Generally
speaking, the more patterning and veining, the higher the price. Rare colours,
such as deep blue, can also be considered exotic.
Finding a Supplier
If you are like most people, when you're
looking for a product or service, the first thing you do is to check for online
presence. Once you narrow your search that way, ask some key questions:
- Does this company specialize in importing and
distributing stone?
- Has the company been in existence more than
just a few years?
- Does the supplier deliver stone in a timely
fashion?