October 7th, 2010 | 
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Granite’s durability and beauty makes it a top choice for countertops. With a permanent and substantial look, granite countertops add elegance to your Maryland home.
Granite countertops have natural strength and come in a variety of colors. However, choosing granite poses significant challenges.
Although in some cases granite countertops can cost a little more than solid surface countertops and require some maintenance, they offer unrivaled, one-of-a-kind beauty to any kitchen.
Granite has existed for thousands of years. Along with marble and natural stone, granite is formed under the earth at the compression of heat and fusion. It is an igneous and metamorphic rock which is resistant to extreme temperature, stress and heat. It is smooth and cool to the touch.
Cost: About $30 to $200 per square foot.
Maintaining Granite Countertops
Granite countertops do require maintenance. Because it is porous, granite should be initially sealed and then resealed on a regular basis in order to repel water and oil based stains.
Although lack of maintenance can make your granite countertops dull, it can be cleaned and polished by professionals to restore its shine. To clean granite, use neutral cleaners, stone soaps or mild liquid dishwashing detergents. It is important to avoid products containing abrasives or acids. In most cases, if granite is cracked, it will need to be removed and replaced.
Capturing Beauty for a Lower Price
On a tight budget? Don’t count granite countertops out yet. There are many strategies you should consider if you want granite but think you may not be able to afford it.
Have granite installed in square pieces, not as one solid piece. This gives you the same natural beauty but for a much lower cost than solid stone while also making repairs easier.
Granite varies in quality. Factors such as country of origin, color, veins or patterns, thickness of slab, amount of soft minerals in the stone, and current fashion trends can impact prices of granite. If in need to save money, choose a low-cost type of stone.
Luna Pearl, a stone offered by many builders, looks the same from near or far and under certain lighting conditions, yet is less expensive than other types of granite.
Paying attention to the number of seams and cuts that will have to be made in stone slabs can help you keep the price to a minimum.
Hire professionals. Failing to properly set a granite countertop can create an extremely expensive mistake to fix.
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