There’s a satisfying homely warmth and earthiness to a slab of granite which makes it the perfect choice for use in the home as flooring and countertops and even home office desktop surfaces. Hardwearing, durable granite has been one of the favorite choices of interior designers for a very long time and it’s not surprising; while a solid granite slab in your kitchen may cost a bit more, it more than pays for itself with year upon year of faithful reliable, hard-wearing service.
Granite is Affordable
That’s why those who can afford it – and bear in mind that prices for solid granite can start at $60 a foot – opt for this remarkably resilient material for their countertops. If you are going to pick granite, make sure you intend to stay in your home for years to come, to ensure you get the most from your investment If you are not sure whether you will be staying in your home long term then the next best option to solid granite is granite tiling. All the things people like about solid granite are reflected in granite tiling.
Granite has been treasured as natural stone since as far back as the Egyptian pyramids. So if you buy your granite from a Phoenix Tile or a Nevada tile shop, make sure it offers a wide range of solid and tile granite countertops. Solid granite countertops look great, especially on large larger surfaces, and tiles have the flexibility to be used for flooring and walls. As with most natural stones, there is a wide choice of colors to complement your design ideas.
But why choose solid granite or granite tile countertops in the first place? Choosing granite and granite tile countertops for your kitchen and other worktops combines all the important features you should look for in a renovation project – durability, elegance, low maintenance, natural resistance to knocks and stains, and, should you ever decide to sell up and move on, granite countertops make for an excellent selling point when you come to put your property on the market.
Granite is made up of various minerals including quartz, mica minerals and feldspar. It’s this combination of resilient minerals that makes granite look so attractive. But beyond mere good looks, granite is also germ and heat resistant and will stand the test of time; you will not be spending so much for maintenance because of its good quality. It’s also important to bear in mind that granite tiling can offer you really good value for money.
Nationwide Availabilty
Luckily everything is available nationwide, so if you are buying some Houston countertops, or a mirror from Denver of even a Phoenix Tile then make sure you check the ranges of granite tile countertops that are built to withstand years of tough treatment in the heat and bustle of a busy kitchen. And because the surface is so flat and stable, it forms an excellent base for heavy duty jobs such as pounding dough to make delicious home-made cakes and breads. It is truly one of the most homely countertop materials you can choose. Also, the natural stone looks great with all kinds of natural wood cabinets and kitchen sink styles. Granite is incredibly versatile in that it suits a whole range of installation plans. You can combine granite tiles for splashbacks with solid granite for worktops. You can design spacious granite worktops to easily prepare your favorite dishes in space and style.
One way to save a lot hard work and money if you have a sufficiently large kitchen is to only install a solid granite work top on just your kitchen island. It can become an attractive centerpiece of your kitchen that sets the tone for the whole renovation project.
My own Houston countertops were purchased after I took advice on granite tiles to suit my budget, which allowed me to create the kitchen of my dreams and enjoy all the key advantages that granite affords even with just the use of 26 to 36 tiles inlaid with other less costly materials such as laminates. Well placed granite tiles can also protect less durable surfaces close to the heat of the oven, or from searing hot pans. You can place objects of great heat and weight safely onto granite, and wipe stains clean away. Granite tiles are perfect pounding dough and making home baked goods and sweets.
Whichever way you look at it, granite countertops make a shrewd and durable investment, and something of lasting beauty for any room in which you choose to introduce this natural stone. With many bread winners working from home these days, some choose for the cool hard feel of granite as their desktop or workbench material. It’s a great countertop material for placing computers and laptops as the surface remains cool.
The Houston countertops I purchased can be bought anywhere in the U.S. And are an affordable solution and addition to your home. Make sure you get an expert to advise you on practical care tips such as how to clean your granite worktops, available discounts, color choices, design options – in short, everything you will need to know to make a wise and informed decision.
John Grant writes for several DIY and house design sites. He is also now traveling Asia for new inspirations.
