Granite is a natural stone and is sold by the slab. A granite slab in the GTA comes in different sizes. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, you may need more than one granite slab for your countertops. Consider selecting a large granite slab for your countertops to minimize seams, but if your project requires more than one slab, select slabs from the same lot. Each granite slab will have a unique pattern or movement. The price of granite can vary with colour, rarity and quality of the slab. The price can also vary with the type of edging and the number of cuts needed for installation. Here are some tips to consider when selecting your perfect granite slab in the GTA.

 

 

Ordering a granite slab and hoping for the best can be an expensive risk. When selecting a granite slab for your countertops, remove a small door from your existing cabinets – or a sample if you are buying new cabinets – to take with you as you shop for a granite slab. Compare your cabinets to the granite slab you like. This will decrease the likelihood that you will select granite that will wash out and not provide contrast against your kitchen cabinets. A contrast between your granite countertops and cabinets will ensure full beauty. Also take colour samples of the wall paint, flooring and kitchen appliances. If you do not have colour samples, take pictures with you. Place the colour samples or pictures around the granite slab to get a good idea of what the combination will look like in your home.

 

 

Consider the lighting in your kitchen when choosing colours of your granite slab. If your kitchen has little or no natural light, it is a good idea to choose granite that has a significant amount of white or a lot of light coloured specks. Darker colours of granite slab will look best in kitchens that receive a substantial amount of light. Black granite countertops are visually stunning in a kitchen, but if your kitchen is small or has minimal lighting, you may be disappointed with black granite. Installing track or recessed pot lights are good options to enhance the beauty of granite.

 

 

While at the showroom, ask what finishes they offer for the granite. A polished finish is glossy, smooth to the touch and reflects light. Appropriate lighting should be planned for polished granite in order to avoid too much glare for the right luminosity. A honed finish is a smooth matt finish without a reflective surface to cause glare. A leather finish on granite is a textured finish and works well on dark granite countertops.

 

Visit a dealer for more information about selecting a granite slab in the GTA. The granite slab you finally choose should be one in which you have an extreme interest and one that you are prepared to live with for many years, since your granite countertops can last a lifetime.