Architectural Wood Turnings

Normal 0

Even with all the modern materials available for kitchen and bathroom countertops, few possess the timeless beauty of granite. It’s one countertop material that transcends trends and works in modern and traditional settings. As a favorite choice among many home owners, you may also be considering granite for your kitchen or bathroom. If you’re debating between a few different options, here are four good reasons to go ahead and choose granite.

Reason #1: Granite Countertops Are Beautiful

You’ll probably agree that granite is one of the most beautiful natural materials. Few stones draw as much attention, especially in the home renovation world. You may stop to admire granite countertops in kitchen showrooms or in the home of a relative or friend, running your hand over its smooth surface. Glittery sheen definitely attracts people's attention. Granite will no doubt add a touch of glamour to your home as well.

Reason #2: Granite Countertops Last

You may be surprised to learn that granite is both beautiful and functional. It’s so renowned for its beauty that many may forget it is actually a stone. Perhaps not the kind you dig up in your backyard, but granite is still a solid natural product. So while a granite countertop or bathroom vanity needs a little attention and care, it’s durable enough to stay beautiful with constant use. Granite is largely scratch and stain resistant, making it ideal for any family. Its no-hassle cleaning routine will free you to do what you love most.

Reason #3: Granite is Versatile

Granite is one of the few materials that can work well in just about every style of house. It blends in with ultra-modern cabinets, sleek lines, and cold fronts of stainless steel appliances. It also enhances the curves, embellishments, and flourishes of more traditional homes. Even if the design of your house isn’t so easily defined, the variations available in both color and pattern will appeal to a range of taste. You’ll no doubt find granite a fit for whatever design category your home falls into.

Reason #4: Granite Adds Value to a Home

As you know, adding quality materials to a home increases its value. And out of all the products on the market, granite is at the top of the list when it comes to quality. Whether you’re remodeling with no intention of leaving or renovating for the purpose of selling, granite will add value to your home. It’s certain to attract buyers, if you intend to sell now or eventually. Either way, you will enjoy seeing those shimmering granite countertops everyday and may at some point reap the benefits of making the investment.

There you have it. Four good reasons to bump granite to the top of your materials list for your kitchen or bathroom makeover. Granite is beautiful, a strong material meant for everyday use, versatile, and will add value to your home. Now that you know why granite is so popular, you can move on the fun part and start shopping for the perfect granite countertop for your kitchen or bathroom.

Tags: granite countertops, granite kitchen, granite vanity tops

Normal 0

Did you know The Red Pyramid, the third largest pyramid in Egypt, is made of granite? The ancient Egyptians knew that granite is one of the best building materials. They were using it for buildings and floor veneers. Likewise today, granite is one of the most popular building materials. You may be surprised to know that granite can be found in many different places, not just in your kitchen.

Kitchen Countertops and Bathroom Vanities

Probably one of the most recognized and popular uses for granite is the countertop. Found most often in kitchens and bathrooms, few would deny the luxury it adds to any room. Because granite is available in such an array of patterns and colors, it's suitable for both modern and traditional aesthetics. While granite countertops may initially be purchased for looks, the natural durability of the stone makes it perfect for kitchens and baths, retaining its good looks for years.

Granite Tile

While the granite slab look (one large piece of granite instead of many smaller ones) seems to be preferred by homeowners, granite tile is also used on countertops. Granite is also a very popular backsplash. Granite tile makes a lasting impression used on other surfaces such as walls and floors as well.

Granite for Construction

Granite can be used to build structures such as houses and bridges. It may not always look like it does on your kitchen counters though. Some granite structures use the rough stone either for cost-effectiveness or looks. This may make granite less recognizable to most of us. They may use a combination of finished and rough stone on one or more sides. For larger structures, it's common to use a granite veneer on the outside.

Paving and Curbing

Once upon a time, before asphalt and concrete, granite paved some city streets. We don't see much of it anymore but granite is still used for patios and for paving driveways. And while the streets themselves may not be made of granite, you may notice the curbing on sidewalks often is. It is more attractive than concrete, and it's much more durable.

Monuments and Memorials

The Red Pyramid of ancient Egypt isn’t the only massive monument made of granite. Mount Rushmore in S. Dakota.S.A., was carved directly out of the granite mountain.

You also may realize that many memorial tombs and headstones are carved from granite. Aside from having a great quality, it's also an attractive way to honor loved ones.

This is just a summary of the many uses of granite. As you can see, its functionality goes beyond kitchen counter tops. From ancient civilizations down to our day, granite has found a multitude of purposes from giant pyramids to curbing on the sidewalk. No doubt, we will continue to utilize this awesome and beautiful stone for many millennia to come.

Tags: bathroom granite vanity tops, granite, granite countertops