Granite Countertops

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There are many reasons why people are choosing granite countertops. Many of the reasons include the benefits, installation issues, and cost. You have made an excellent decision to use granite for your counters. The best decision with the installation of granite counters is to use a licensed contractor for the job.

Cost of Materials For Granite Countertops

Granite can vary in cost. It may depend on the type of granite that you choose and the type of finish you select. However, installing granite requires more than just the granite slab or tiles. There are many other materials that you need to purchase for the installation of your new countertops like a 25 lb. of thin set mortar ($10), a 5 lb. bag of unsanded grout ($5), a quart of polished sealer (25), a roll of fiberglass mesh tape ($5), a trowel ($5), a putty knife($5), a honing stone($7), a grout float ($5), caulk that matches the color if you are using tiles ($5), and plastic spacers ($5). All of these materials will be needed for installing granite countertops and you should consider the costs when you are budgeting for your new counter. You also might need a tile saw. You can purchase one for around $275 or you can rent a saw from many places for around $45 for each day. The cutting should be able to be done in one day. You also need to estimate the lumber materials that you will need to purchase also. The materials that you will need include a full sheet of ¾ inch plywood. Every 8ft. of countertop that you have you will need one sheet. You will need a sheet of Denshield to back the tile for every 5 ft. of counter that you have. Roofing nails and screws will be needed for securing purposes.

The cost of granite differs by the type of granite that you decide on. If you would like a solid surface granite countertop then you will pay around $125 per square foot. If you are thinking about tiles on your counter then the costs will run around $60 per square foot. Tiles can be very cheap or they can be expensive. It depends on the type and texture of the granite. The finish you would like for your counter will make a big difference also and will increase the price. Many people prefer the faux finish which can cost you approximately $80.

Installation Costs For Granite Countertops

There are many things that you need to think about when you hire a contractor to professionally install your granite countertops. Hiring the wrong person could be disastrous and cost you more money in the long run. You should find out how long the contractor has been in business so you can be sure that they have been in business for a while. This will also verify that they are well-established. You should also verify if they have any complaints against them through consumer protection officials. You want to verify how many projects the contractor has completed and ask to see a portfolio of the work they have done. Some contractors take pictures of their finished work and this will give you a good idea of what you have to look forward to when it is finished.

You should also ask for a list of references and you should verify all of them. Don’t just take their word for it. Call everyone. If the contractor is going to be using other sub-contractors to help them with the project, you should meet them and make sure that you feel comfortable with them in your home. Verify that everyone who will be working in your home is licensed and that they are all covered by insurance. You can protect yourself by asking to see a lien waiver to verify that the contractor doesn’t owe anyone any money. A contractor should have personal liability insurance that will cover damage to property and anything else that could happen.

When you pay the contractor for the work completed, verify that you are satisfied with the work done before you make a final payment. You should limit the down payment to as little as possible and if you are asked to be paid in full then you should go with someone else. You can work with the contractor and set milestones for payment. This means, as the contractor completes defined amounts of work, and then you pay them. You should also always avoid paying cash at all costs. You should also have a contract that clearly spells out all of the work that will be done for the countertops. Be sure that warranties are defined for the materials and the work done. Also be sure the contractor cleans their mess of excess materials and things before they leave.

When you hire a contractor to install granite countertops in your home, the price may vary by how experienced the contractor is and how large the counters are. The price can range from $700 to $1500 and higher. If you decide to install granite countertops on your own, then you can be looking at prices from $500 to approximately $700. It is usually not recommended to install granite counters yourself. This is because you should have skill when you are cutting granite and installing a counter. The cost of mistakes with granite might cost you more than what you can afford. It is always better to hire a professional contractor to install granite in your kitchen.

Choosing granite countertops for your kitchen is the best decision that you can make to beautify and increase the value of your home. We wish you the best of luck in finding the slab of granite that is right for you and your home. You are sure to find it.

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Granite is the second hardest natural stone ranking only behind the diamond. It is primarily composed of 4 minerals (quartz, feldspar, mica, and hornblende) but does vary in composition depending on its geographical location. The properties of these combined minerals allow granite to outperform man-made stone, ceramics, stainless steel, and many other manufactured or synthetic products.

Granite is extremely hard, yet possesses bending strength making it easy to work with for many applications. It is abrasion resistant (perfect for the traffic that countertops see), has an extremely high temperature tolerance level and is resistant to many chemical acids (making it difficult to stain).

So since granite sounds like a great choice, the question is … what to think about when considering a granite countertop or granite flooring. You should consider the following parameters:

PRIMARY PARAMETERS

* What kind of installation will this be … a floor or countertop and in what room(s)?

* What is my budget? Stick to your budget!!

* What kind of traffic will the surface be exposed to?

SECONDARY PARAMETERS

* Granite Color

* Granite Finish

Usually, after you have created these base parameters and then researched both price and characteristics of the various countertops as dictated by their stone compositions, your options will become very clear and if you are lucky, the right choice will be shining brightly during the shopping process as well as many years after the installation.

Here are some key tips to shopping for and owning granite:

* Seams may be visible in some installations depending on a number of factors such as type and size of application. Much of this visibility though will be dependent on the granularity, color and pattern of the stone. These are all factors that you can control (and reduce seam visibility) by making smart shopping decisions. Look for granite with small uniform grain as opposed to large varied grain. Dark seems always show much less than light seems, so try to buy dark granite for large applications. Uniform patters blend seams better than dramatic patterns. Keep these factors in mind when matching multiple pieces of granite to large applications.

* Seal your granite prior to installation. This will make the process of cleaning up any grout much easier after any installation.

* Re-seal your granite every 3 to 5 years depending on use and climate.

* Any staining of un-sealed granite can usually be removed using a poultice.

* Since granite is primarily imported today, a resourceful shopper can find granite slabs for very competitive and even discounted pricing.

With all these significant upsides, you can see how granite is the single most popular choice for kitchen countertops today. Granite offers rich colors and unique patterns that accent these rooms beautifully. In addition, the durability demands that counters require (whether it be the bathroom or kitchen) make granite a perfect choice due to its overall durability and strength. Lastly the low maintenance demands of granite makes usually seals the deal for most homeowners looking for a stone option. Don’t get excited just yet! When shopping for a granite solution for your floor or countertop, you must carefully consider many factors to ensure that granite is the right choice for you.

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From Basic Barbecues To Designer Kitchens Luxurious Kitchen Granite Countertops Are The Focal Point.

Are you considering a great outdoor kitchen design for your home? If so, you aren’t alone!

In fact, a growing number of homeowners are deciding to expand their outdoor living space by creating a functional yet beautiful outdoor kitchen design that allows them to spend more time in the great outdoors.

It should come as no surprise that the popularity of outdoor kitchens continues to rise. After all, installing an outdoor kitchen offers a number of benefits. Some of these benefits include…

* Providing you with more space for social gatherings or to spend time with your family

* Helping you keep your air conditioning bill down by allowing you to cook outdoors and preventing extra heat from building up inside your home

* Keeping the messes and smells involved with cooking outside, so your home can remain clean and smelling great

* Increasing the value of your home

In addition to offering all of these benefits, it is possible to create a great outdoor kitchen design without having to spend a significant amount of money.

While a luxury design could certainly cost well over $100,000 to complete, it can also cost less than $1,000 to develop a basic design. The final cost of your outdoor kitchen design will depend upon how many extras you decide to include with your project.

For example, an outdoor kitchen that contains all of the features you would find in an indoor kitchen, or one that features luxury items such as kitchen granite countertops, will be more expensive than a basic design that consists solely of a built in backyard barbeque.

When deciding on the outdoor kitchen design that is right for you, consider your short and long-term plans, as well as your budget. If your budget does not allow for more luxurious items such as kitchen granite countertops, look into other options that can be just as functional while allowing you to create a design that is well within your budget.

You also need to consider the amount of available space when planning an outdoor kitchen design. While your budget may allow for an extensive outdoor kitchen, putting one in a very small backyard may look awkward and overcrowded.

By using your outdoor space wisely and selecting a design that will complement the size of your space, as well as the style, you will be certain to create a beautiful and functional design that will bring years of entertainment to you and your family.

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The style and variety of kitchen cabinets available today is absolutely incredible. The days when kitchen cabinets were only white are long gone. Also long gone is that wall paper like padding grandmother put on the bottom of her cabinets.

The growing trend in kitchen storage is themed cooking areas in which the cabinets and the rest of the decors follow a specific theme. An example of this would be a wine connoisseur theme in which the kitchen is built around a wine cellar.

Other examples of themed kitchens include chef and country kitchens. A growing trend is to try and match the drawers and cupboards with the appliances, furniture and other furnishings. Cabinets with glass doors could be matched with a stove with glass doors for examples.

Some themed kitchens include built in appliances that have been ordered to match the cabinets. Such kitchens are common in apartments, condominiums, town homes and other urban residences.

The renewed interest in cooking especially gourmet cooking and healthy food in recent years has led to kitchens and cabinets designed especially for cooking. Many home kitchens now boast cooking and prep stations similar to those found in restaurants.

These usually consist of a long slung cabinet sitting in the middle of the kitchen. The cabinet is low enough to form a work area for a cook. It can be used for such tasks as cutting or chopping meat or vegetables, baking and other forms of food preparation. A popular trend is for these cooking areas to have a granite counter top.

In some cases the cooking area can also serve as a kitchen table for people to eat informal meals or snacks upon. The cooking station usually has cabinets and drawers underneath for easy storage. Newer homes often feature designer kitchen cabinets made to take account of the latest styles and trends. The designer cabinets often take their cue from home decorating and décor magazines.

The appearance of designer cabinets and themed kitchens is a sign that homeowners, especially women, want more control over their homes. They want the kitchen to be a practical work area but they also want it to be stylish. Another growing trend is retrofits in which stylish modern exteriors are placed over older more traditional kitchen cabinets. Such retrofitting is often seen in remodeled older homes and in cheaper housing.

The future of kitchen cabinets will probably be to add more accessories such as lazy Susans. Another growing trend is the increased number of built in appliances designed to match cabinets.

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Granite is a great stone that can be used to make counters, kitchen tops and also countertops. Most of the people suggest these countertops for furnishing their homes. So what’s so special about it?

Durability of Granite

It is durable and do not easily scratch or stain. In simple words they last for a longer time.

They also play a significant role both for interior and exterior decors for houses, buildings and monuments.

In addition to this, they are also resistant to heat and moisture. It brings out the natural beauty of the stones and is also available in different colors and sizes.

Installation of Granite Countertops

In order to lat for longer durations, these need to be properly installed. This is very important for building homes and buildings.

Information of different can be found on the internet. They can be used for sinks, bathtubs and even for kitchens.

Granite kitchen countertops add to the ambience of the kitchen. These are easy to clean and stains or spills can be easily removed with the help of good quality cleaning agents.

You might want to install these with the help of professionals or experts. These people will have good ideas on which countertop will best suit your house or kitchen.

Benefits of Granite Countertops

Below are some of the benefits that granite counter top have over other stones:

· Granite stones consist of heat and fusion so they are extremely durable and have high resistance power

· They come in different shapes and sizes, so you have a lot of options to choose from

· They also offer efficient and prominent service for building and home owners

granite counters have a major advantage over other stones because of their quality and ability to enhance the beauty of houses or monuments.

Moreover granite tiles are a perfect choice for hard surface appliances. These are made from engraving slabs and blocks of granite.

A granite counter top is used by a number of people worldwide. These are very popular and can be made according to your specifications and requirements. The most commonly used colors for these countertops are blue and black.

Where to Find Granite Countertops

There are a lot of dealers or wholesalers that sell granite countertops. Not all of them live up to the expectations of the clients.

You might want to go in for granite countertops California websites or wholesales since they offer great discounts and good quality materials.

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Granite tile countertops provide many of the advantages of solid granite counter tops but with some distinct advantages of their own. It is obvious that granite makes for a superior surface especially in kitchens. Compared to the other natural choice, marble, granite works in a much more practical fashion. Here are several ways granite tile looks like a superior choice.

Less Money…

Since granite tile is in smaller pieces, it’s much easier to find a perfect piece than a one piece slab for a solid granite slab. Perfect large granite slabs are much rarer than perfect smaller pieces which can be made into tiles. It’s like diamonds. The bigger the diamond, the higher the cost. That’s partly because large, perfect diamonds are so much harder to find than smaller, perfect diamonds.

Not just rarity determines the cost. Handling large, monster heavy slabs costs money. Transporting and moving huge slabs is a significant cost. Moving small tiles costs nothing in comparison. There’s more… Large slabs must be a certain thickness to insure that they won’t break in the normal installation process. Tiles are much less likely to break just because of the smaller size.

Durable…

Granite stands up well to heat and abrasion. After all, granite is a rock formed by heat. It’s a durable and very practical choice. Tile offers the same advantages except for having grout joints built in. That objection can even be overcome by including a larger slab built into the counter top at the area that’s used the most. Also, the grout used can be the best for durability. That often means using an epoxy grout. With the proper grout, the grout lines will stand up to moisture and use just about as well as the tile.

Do It Yourself…

Installing granite tile countertops yourself is virtually just like installing ceramic tile. It’s a very possible project for a handy person. The tiles cost more than typical ceramic tile, but installation is just the same. It’s a very possible homeowner project. On the other hand, handling granite slabs is outside what most people could tackle. The bulk and weight of slabs makes it impractical.

Interesting look…

The natural variation of color patterns of slabs is part of the appeal to the look of granite. A large slab is a one-of-a-kind occurrence. But so can a tile counter be on of a kind. The arrangement and selection of tiles lets the installer turn a counter top into a work of art. That way a granite tile counter top also becomes unique and an artistic piece like no other. Granite tile counter tops perform much like solid granite slab counter tops, but at far less cost. Tile is a practical alternative to a much more expensive slab top, one that can even be installed by a handy person.

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Kitchen Ideas (Better Homes & Gardens Decorating)

What caught my eye about this book was the subtitle – “Your Affordable Dream Source.” The book is divided into different sections. The first chapter briefly addresses various kitchen trends like islands, open floor plans, going green, furniture details, stainless steel and more. Other chapters in Kitchen Ideas include planning your space, storage, decorator touches, using stylish materials and small spaces.

One thing you can generally count on in a Better Homes and Garden books is the wonderful photography. The photos are all clear, sharp, with good lighting. It is easy to pick out details in most of the photos. The photos also show various styles in kitchens, from country and traditional to contemporary.

The real key is does it hit it’s target of providing ideas and sources for an “affordable” kitchen. Of course, affordable is relative, but most of the design books (whether kitchen or bath) seem to be create spaces with exorbitant budgets. This books does take it down and seems to provide design ideas that are affordable, whether you are updating your kitchen or have a larger remodeling project in mind.

The trends are interesting and could have been helped with some before photos of the rooms, especially the “Open Plans” trend section. The kitchen island section was nice and gave options from a flea market table to a purchased island.

It would be helpful to know how much in general these decorating ideas would cost. A few sections addressed this, like the “Furniture Detail” section showed a general price range for things like cabinet feet or brackets. A suggestion to the publishers would be to have a general price range indicator, like $ to $$$ to inform readers of how expensive an option might be. In some sections you’ll find hints that could help you save money. These are called Bargain Bonus and are tips in a circle-shaped tag. For example, on page 33, “Plain Old Appliances? Paint them to look like stanless steel. For paint products, see sources on page 143.” There are also other call out sections in the chapters that often contain pro and con tips.

There is a chapter devoted to small space kitchens. The first kitchen shown on page 124-127, doesn’t seem small to me. LOL It has an island that looks like it is at least 6 foot (using the plates as a guide) and there is a large refrigerator with upper vents (looks like one of those commercial units). It’s a pretty kitchen, but is not even close to what I consider small. There are some helpful hints for a small kitchen, but I think it would have been more realistic to actually feature a small kitchen in the 4 page spread. Most of the kitchens prominently featured in the small kitchen section use white cabinets, except for the French kitchen which is red and yellow and one kitchen with brown lower cabinets and white upper cabinets.

I really liked this book, even though there were a few cons. The Resources section is minimal and has only brief, general information. There are resources listed for only five of the pages in the the entire book. For example for page 10, 137 (cabinet feet) – Rockler Woodworking, Van Dyke Restorers and another source; for page 125 the resource is for Primers – Benjamin Moore Fresh Start and XIM primer. They provide the websites addresses and a few have phone numbers.

Overall, a good resource for affordable design ideas and tips, many you may already know, but the photos are good inspiration.

Kitchen Ideas (Better Homes & Gardens Decorating) Feature

• ISBN13: 9780470508947
• Condition: New
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Kitchen Ideas (Better Homes & Gardens Decorating) Overview

Affordable ideas for turning any kitchen into an inviting and functional space

This book is your guide to designing the kitchen of your dreams. It offers a survey of kitchen trends, ideas for enhancing existing floor plans, advice on how to mix and match materials, and tips on how to achieve a look for less. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your kitchen with simple cosmetic refreshes or completely transform your kitchen with a major remodel, you can turn to Kitchen Ideas for

• Hundreds of inspiring ideas in a variety of decorating styles
• Floor plans and clever storage ideas that maximize space in a small kitchen
• Budget-minded tips for bargain hunters

Featuring traditional to contemporary kitchen designs and a wide variety of layouts, cabinets, fixtures, and countertops, this value-priced book has everything you need to create a beautiful kitchen.

Kitchen Ideas (Better Homes & Gardens Decorating) Specifications

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