Installing Granite Countertops
While many people are jumping on the "do-it-yourself” wave, installing granite countertops is not the ideal project to try on your own. Granite is a high-quality material and due to its weight and cost, it is imperative to get it done right the first time as mistakes can end up costing a lot of time and money. Also, one of the major points of having granite countertops is that they are highly attractive, durable and aesthetically pleasing. If they are installed incorrectly, it takes away from all of its major selling features not to mention potentially damaging the stone and ruining your investment.
The Process
Unlike installing countertops made of materials such as linoleum or ceramic, the installation of granite is considerably more complicated and is therefore best left to a professional with the proper know-how and tools. First, it is vital that a trained professional comes to measure your space precisely in order to determine how your granite will need to be installed. It is important to take appliances, windows and the size of your furniture into consideration.
Because of the precision involved in measuring, most contractors are able to provide extremely accurate quotes. This is beneficial to any homeowner who is working within a specific budget and it is yet another good reason to get a professional to work on your countertops. If you proceed on your own, it is likely that you will end up spending much more than you originally planned, or damaging your granite slabs or tiles.
How to Plan Your New Kitchen
Once you have determined that granite countertops are the way to go, it is important to plan out how exactly how your new kitchen or bathroom will ideally look after the renovation. One of the benefits of granite is that it is a naturally colored stone that comes in a wide variety of shades. A homeowner can select a sleek, modern motif with black granite countertops, or try warmer shades such as browns, mauves and greens.
Each granite slab is perfectly unique and cannot be replicated, making your kitchen design one that reflects your individuality. Your kitchen can suddenly become the most highly featured room of the house and making granite a highly sought after selling feature. Therefore, this is one upgrade that can truly be considered a wise investment.
Installing granite countertops is a great way to update a home and ensure that it will remain in style for years. Unlike tired styles of ceramic or linoleum, granite has the ability to retain its beauty and pristine surface for hundreds of years.