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One of the reasons that granite countertops have been so popular for so many years is the unique look you get with every slab.

Of course, everyone likes that granite can resist heat and is incredibly durable, but the look gets people almost every time.

There are so many colors and patterns to choose from - it's important to make sure you go with a granite countertop that works with your home and your overall kitchen design.

According to an article in the Winston-Salem Journal, granite buyers are really being bowled over by what they're seeing on the market:

"Along with the tight, consistent patterns that many people visualize, granite also comes marked by waves and swirls, with splotches and bands of color. Some customers, once they start looking, become overwhelmed at the dozens of choices available to them.

'They had no idea they can get all this movement, all this depth,' Shaw said. 'That's the biggest thing that's wowing customers now, all this movement.'

House said that people need to be careful if they choose granite with a bold pattern.

'You almost have to consider the pattern of granite like a fabric or a wallpaper,' she said. 'Granite will last a long, long time. Therefore, you don't want something that the eye is going to grow tired of quickly, especially when you think of it in terms of a large space, such as a kitchen. You can go with something absolutely wild and crazy in a butler's pantry or powder room. But in a kitchen, with large amounts of surface, it would be my advice to a client to keep the pattern maybe not quite as pronounced.'

People who love the patterned look need to keep the rest of the kitchen simple. Granite can go with a traditional or contemporary scheme, House said, because of its sleek, clean look.

Most of the more exotic granites come from the Southern hemisphere, Shaw said, and the more subtle granites, with dense, consistent patterns, come from the Northern hemisphere."

Ready to install granite countertops in your home? We can help. ConstructionDeal.com matches homeowners with granite counter installers at no cost or obligation to you. It's a fast and easy way to get 4 free quotes from contractors.

Submit your project and talk to countertop installers today!



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Labels: Counter Installations, granite counters, granite countertop

Looking to install a granite countertop in your kitchen or bathroom but worried it might be out of your price range?

It is possible to have a granite countertop without the huge expense. By installing the granite as tiles, instead of a massive single slab, you'll save a very large amount in the materials and installation.

There is always something to be said for a complete, natural stone counter in one or two large sections. But if the installation would be cost prohibitive, you can still get the look and feel of real granite in your kitchen or bath.

Granite tiles, usually sold in 12 inch size to minimize the number of grout lines, can cost up to a quarter less than the granite slabs. It might also be possible to split your kitchen into sections with a slab and other sections with the tile, to save money. Or, you could put up a slab or two on the counter area and save money with tiles as your backsplash.

You have the choice of highlighting the fact that you're using tiles by using a contrasting grout color or to minimize and hide the tiles with a matching grout. Either way, you'll be able to have the look, luxury, and advantages of granite in your favorite room but at a much lower cost.

If you need to find a local granite countertop company to give you an estimate on adding granite tiles in your home, consider ConstructionDeal.com. We have granite tile installers in your area and you can have them contact you.

It's a great way to save the time and trouble of searching for and calling companies at random from your yellow pages book. The best part? There's no cost or obligation to you!

Labels: Countertop Material Options, granite counters, granite countertop, Natural Stone Countertops

Building Stone magazine has put their finger on the pulse of some stone countertop designers to get a feel for the latests trends:

What's hot in stone counters?

New finishes. That's the observation of Joe Percoco of Percoco Marble and Tile Company. 'Clients are asking for something new, something different. We had been doing quite a bit of river-wash finish, but that has been replaced in popularity by a leather finish.'

To achieve a river-wash finish, stone is flamed or bush hammered and then polished with brushes to smooth the sharpness of the surface. The process takes out some color and makes the surface more porous. A leather finish can do the opposite. 'It begins with a honed surface that is then worked with diamond brushes; the process brings back the color and closes pores, making the stone denser. The result is similar to the finish achieved by using a 300 or 400 grid. It has a nice sheen and is less porous than a honed finish.'

In fact, Percoco said that more inconsistency in the stone betters the process. 'The process is successful on soapstone and certain limestone, too.'

If you're interested in having natural stone counters installed in your kitchen or bath, you can post your request with ConstructionDeal.com. We'll match you with local countertop installation pros - for free - and you can get the unique bath or kitchen look you've always wanted.

Labels: Countertop Material Options, granite counters, Stone Counters

Labels: granite counters, Small Kitchen Remodeling, Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas, Stone Counters

Want to know what the latest trend in countertops?

No, it's not granite. Although granite is more popular than ever...

The latest is a natural stone countertop material called Jerusalem stone.

Advantages of Jerusalem Stone Counters
Yes, it's from Jerusalem and it's very similar to a limestone countertop but it's not as porous. It's very durable, like most of the harder natural stones.

It's a great choice for a countertop because it's very light in color. It can brighten up any dark or windowless kitchen or bathroom and it's a perfect contrast to a dark wood color in your cabinets. The lighter options include a tan, gray, gold and cream colors. It's got the smooth finish that everyone craves in their natural stone - similar to a marble counter, but at less cost. And, like any natural stone surface, it will greatly increase the room and home's value.

Cost of Jerusalem Stone Countertops
The cost is pretty high - it can range from $150 to $250 per square foot, depending on thickness and size as well as your edging choices. The product will need regular sealing, like most stones, and spills must be cleaned up immediately.

How to Find a Jerusalem Stone Counter Installer
If you'd like to talk to a Jerusalem Stone Countertop Contractor about your stone counter options, why not post your request with ConstructionDeal.com?

We'll help you find countertop installers - at no cost - and you'll have multiple bids to choose from, which can save you money. Save time - no more random searching for any type of contractor in a phone book.

Simply submit your request and get 4 quotes the same day! Usually within minutes! For free.

Labels: Countertop Material Options, granite counters, Jerusalem Stone, Natural Stone Countertops, Stone Counters

Granite countertops are usually the first choice in countertop material whenever a homeowner decides to remodel the kitchen or bath. The natural stone is a beautiful addition to any room because of depth of colors and the unique character of the polished surface. Granite is truly durable as well as being stain and scratch resistant (with proper sealing.)

Granite is such a dense stone that it resists chips and gouges. And, if you spill a glass of red wine, you can easily clean up the surface with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts hot water. It's the perfect low maintenance countertop material!

Granite countertop manufacturers recommend homeowners use a silicone sealing application every year to protect the surface from stains. The countertop installer usually applies it when the granite is first installed. Your installer should provide you with information on where to get sealer and how to apply it.

Save money - avoid any of the granite cleaning products on the market today. For regular cleanings, to make sure your countertop surface remains protected as well as germ-free, it's important to clean up with regular dish soap and water, or with the vinegar cleaning solution. If you get a particularly tough stain in your granite surface, let the stain soak in straight vinegar overnight. This should take care of any lingering problem. Avoid using any bleaching product on your granite countertop.

Do not use any harsh abrasives or steel wool pads on the surface. Even though the material is scratch resistant, you'll want to avoid the possibility of any marks or on rubbing off the protective sealer on the surface.

When you're ready to find a granite countertop installer, we can help. ConstructionDeal.com matches homeowner with countertop contractors - at no cost to you.

Simply submit your request, for free, and we'll send it out to granite installers in your area. This saves you time - no need to call companies at random from your yellow pages book! And it saves you money - you'll have more than one bid from granite countertop companies to choose from!

Labels: countertop maintenance, granite counters, granite countertop

Granite countertops.

It's the only item one needs to mention when describing a newly renovated kitchen. Whenever someone embarks on a kitchen remodel, new granite for the counters seems to be a prerequisite.

What's so special about granite and why does everyone want it in their kitchen?

Advantages of Granite Kitchen Counters

• Granite is a gorgeous natural stone, perfect for the kitchen. There are tons of colors and grains to choose from and no two counters are alike. The beauty of granite counters is unsurpassed which explains why it's usually the number one choice for anyone remodeling a kitchen.

• Granite countertops are resistant to bacteria. The natural stone is not as porous as, say, a wood butcher block countertop might be. It's easy to clean off the counter and prevent passing any microbial content to other food or surfaces on the counter. Stainless steel and granite are the best at preventing the spread of bacteria.
  

• Some countertop materials can be easily scratched, including some other natural stones like marble. A kitchen countertop sees heavily and regular use in most homes, so having a scratch resistant surface is very important.

• Granite countertops are also capable of handling high temperatures and this heat resistance is invaluable in any kitchen.
  

• For the same reasons that the granite surface is resistant to bacteria, it's also very easy to clean your granite countertops.
  

Disadvantages of Granite Countertops

• Got Style? Granite is a great surface for a counter. But not every home is the right for granite. People try to force it into every style of home even when the style doesn't call for granite.
  

• Got Seams? Granite seams are commonplace. Seams are inevitable on natural stone. However, the seams can be filled with epoxy and color-matched to help the seams appear less visible.

• Money, Money, Money - It can be very expensive to purchase and have granite counters installed.

• Seal It Tight - Sealers are required on granite counters on a yearly basis so this adds to the maintenance requirements.

If you're looking to add granite countertops to your kitchen (or bathroom), consider submitting your project for at no cost to ConstructionDeal.com. You'll get several bids from local countertop installation companies which saves you time. Having multiple bids to choose from means that you'll save money.

And you'll save time - no need to call several contractors at random. They will call you.

Find a granite countertop installer today.

We help you get your project done!

Labels: Countertops, granite counters, granite countertop