Countertops: Natural Stone (part 1)

Apr 1

The original plan was to write about the pros and cons of different countertop choices. Then I realized that I was trying to pack way too much information into one post . Now, I’m all for diving into a good book on the weekend, but you all probably have plans (and it’s supposed to be really nice out!) so I decided to break this topic into smaller pieces.

First is granite, which is a great choice for so many reasons. Forgive me, but I need to geek out and explain how granite came to be, because that is what makes it so durable. It is an igneous rock, formed over millions of years when magma cooled deep within the Earth’s crust. It’s mostly made up of quartz and feldspar, with a few other minerals mixed in. The slow cooling process and the presence of other minerals are what gives granite its individual colors and patterns. It is extremely hard (6 on the Mohs scale), which makes it an excellent choice for people whose kitchens are truly the heart of their home.

There’s a wide range of pricing for granite - typically, abundance determines price. Shopping for granite can be so fun! You just walk through the warehouse, and you get to pick out the exact slab that you want. Each piece is either polished (shiny), honed (matte), or leathered (textured, yet still has a slight sheen).