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Granite Counter Tops In Jax .com Articles About Granite
Why Granite Countertops Are Today's Top Choice by Buddy Harrell, Platinum Author The heart of any home is the kitchen. It comes as no surprise that people would choose the best materials when the idea of remodeling it comes up. And when you think of your kitchen, you have to think of the best material for your countertop. From the very many choices out there, you cannot go wrong with granite countertops! Granite is the material of choice during these times when not only durability is a key quality but also beauty. Advantages abound in making granite your choice for your kitchen countertop and your bathroom as well. Not to mention its practicality. Granite is a kind of rock formed from the cooling of magma in the pockets of magma trapped under the earth's surface. These rocks come in different colors and patterns a homeowner can choose from. In ancient times, granite was used as pyramid surfaces. In modern times, they were mostly used for monuments because they lasted longer than marble. Recent times have seen more uses for granite. Kitchen or bathroom countertops are often exposed to different wear and tear situations and so durability is very important. You would not want the hassle of constantly having your countertop repaired or reconstructed. To begin the list of several advantages of having a granite countertop, durability comes first. Granite is so durable that only another piece of granite or diamonds can cut it. That means it is one piece that cannot be scratched by anyone or anything else! In fact, granite is often used for building high-rise structures because it can even withstand rain and gale force winds. Besides being durable, granite also has another excellent quality - natural beauty. A granite countertop's color will never change. It will always look as vibrant as when it was first installed in your kitchen. Even more, granite slabs are all unique and thus have their own look and beauty. That is why you often are asked to choose from actual samples. These countertops increase the aesthetic appeal of your home. They make any kitchen look elegant and polished. Imported from Europe, Brazil, Africa and other areas rich in natural stone, they are quite striking to look at. In fact, granite is used not only as kitchen countertops but also as flooring for homes because of its raw natural beauty. They add warmth and color to any home. There has been a boom in the demand for granite countertops in the past five years. The use of these is not only limited to upscale homes, but has since become available to modern-income families. Many may think that granite countertops may be too expensive. This is not always true. Although they may be rather pricey for many, there are several factors to be considered. The transportation, polishing and installation are included in pricing a granite countertop. But then again at the end of the day, these stone countertops are competitively-priced. Compare them to other high-end surfaces and you'll be surprised. It may sound all too good to be true, but actually granite countertops are a good investment. Just like any investment choice you have to make, careful thought and analysis must be applied in selecting the perfect countertop for your perfect home. The Beauty of Natural Granite Countertops by Buddy Harrell, Platinum Author Are you building a house, updating the look of your kitchen and bathroom countertop, Jacuzzi surrounds, your vanity tops or even your fireplace and bar tops? Or would you like to upgrade your home’s wall and floor panels? Nowadays home builders have many things to offer from plain rocks or cobblestones to igneous rock, or highly polished crystalline stones. One good alternative is to use granite to create a beautiful granite countertop, polished to a faultless sheen in myriads of colors to choose from. Granite is found worldwide, classified as an igneous rock, developed from magma, cooled over millions of years, and compressed under great pressure. Although granite forms major parts of the continental crust of the earth, it is found mostly in Brazil, Canada, Finland, India, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Southern Africa, Sweden, and the United States where quarries are common. The Yosemite National Park in Merced, California and Stawamus Chief in British Columbia are examples of naturally occurring monolithic granite formations. This rock is quarried, cut into shapes and polished to bring out its inherent beauty. Composed primarily of quartz, mica and feldspar, it gives a fine crystalline texture. Carvings of animal monuments in burial and Hindu temples in India are made of granite. The beautiful color ranges of granite are hues of black, red, blue, brown, green, orange, and even white mixed with other naturally occurring matching colors. This creates a delicious mosaic like painting effect. Individual pieces are unique like pieces of art giving a timeless appearance but can fit any kind of décor because it occurs in a variety of natural colors and hues. Apart from its beautiful and colorful patina, granite is superior to marble in strength, durability and longevity; and it’s resistant to stains including strong chemical cleaners and high temperature. Home builders recommend it for surfaces where everyday wear and tear occurs. It is ideally used as flooring because of this quality of durability and strength. Granite countertops are common for kitchen, bar, bathroom and table countertops because it is hygienic aside from its aesthetic qualities. Care should be taken because like any stone material it can be scratched. However, granite countertops are easy to care and maintain. Upgrading your home with granite countertops is easy. Many home builders offer a variety of packaged deal which does not break your budget. Showrooms are often easy to access in the Internet which reveal in 2D or even 3D images of pre-cut granite countertops. You can easily choose the color that matches your kitchen décor and color. It is advisable to contact a professional with good workmanship to install and calculate the exact dimensions so as to fashion a template and customize your order. Available technology and machines can easily cut and fabricate the stone and ship the product. Additionally, care of granite countertops are provided and at times warranties are part of the deal. Companies in the granite business have a customer care page for after sales transaction. So if you have additional concerns you can access it easily. And it is assured that every time you set your eyes on that beautiful piece of art, the effort and money spent was well worth it.  |