Call nowGranite kitchen countertops add a level of luxury and style that other materials lack. That’s a big part of what makes this natural stone so popular in kitchens and bathrooms across America.
But when you’re trying to pick out your own granite countertops, you might feel a little overwhelmed with the choices. What do granite grades mean? Which colors will work best with your cabinetry? How do you understand stone quality?
To Help You Figure It All Out, Let’s Look At 8 Key Secrets For How To Choose Granite Countertops:
1. Define Your Style
First of all, think about what you like and the vibe you are trying to create in your kitchen or bathroom. Do you prefer a bold contrast look? Or would you be happier with more mellow matching colors? Do you prefer your countertops to be a darker or lighter color? Would you like something unusual like a blue kitchen countertop?
Narrowing down what you’re looking for before you start visiting showrooms can help you weed out the noise while you’re there. Keep your focus on what you really want and don’t get distracted or overwhelmed by all the options.
2. Bring Cabinetry and Floor Samples
It’s hard enough to picture how a piece of granite will look once installed in your kitchen. The beautiful, flowing slab you see in the showroom will be cut down to a 25.5” countertop and some of that “flow like a river” look will be lost during this process.
Don’t make it any harder on yourself than it has to be.
If you already have the floor and cabinets installed or picked out, bring along samples. This will help you envision how the colors will go together for the final look. You’d be surprised how hard it is to picture the right colors and match them in your head.
3. Understand Granite Grades
Granite grades are kind of confusing for consumers when they see granite grades from A to F on slabs of granite. What’s even more confusing is that “A” slabs of granite are less expensive than “F” slabs — by a lot.
But don’t get too hung up on these grades. They don’t have anything to do with the quality of the stone and are based solely on supply and demand.
Remember, granite is a natural stone that is mined from somewhere on earth. Certain colors are harder to access or are available in limited qualities, pushing up the cost of acquisition. Others are found in abundance or are located in areas where the labor costs are cheaper, thus bringing down the price.
So don’t worry too much about granite grades, just stick to whatever works with your budget.
4. Choose a Color
At this point, choosing between granite countertops colors shouldn’t be too difficult. Once you’ve defined your style, you’re already halfway there. You know whether you want light or dark granite and of course, the color needs to go with your cabinets and floors.
From there, it’s simply a matter of picking a shade that fits your budget and matches (or contrasts) your cabinetry.
5. Choose a Pattern
There are three basic granite patterns to choose from — solid, marbled, or speckled. Choose a solid pattern for a smaller kitchen where a busy pattern can make the area look cluttered.
Speckled granite is great fun as a contrast for stainless steel appliances or as a statement piece and the smooth look of marbled granite is both sleek and sophisticated.
6. Choose a Finish
You can also choose from several different finish types. Glossy finishes have a shiny, mirror-like look whereas a matte finish is more muted. There are also interesting styles you can choose such as a leathered finish that makes your natural stone countertops look even more “natural.”
7. Stone Quality
Granite grades don’t have much to do with the quality but levels do. There are five levels of quality classification with level one being the cheapest and level five being the most expensive.
Granite quality is determined by several factors, including:
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- Veins
- Fissures
- Surface pitting
- Color concentration
- Shade variation
- Inclusions
Pick a quality level that you are comfortable with and that works with your budget.
8. Take Pictures
Finally, as you’re going around to different showrooms, keep a camera handy. Again, it’s hard to compare colors in your head. Take pictures of the granite slabs that interest you so you can compare them again at home.
But remember that pictures may not show the exact color as colors display slightly differently on your screen. Plus, the lighting and other factors affect the image. So once you’ve narrowed down your granite choices, come back with the real samples of your cabinetry and floors to confirm before ordering your kitchen countertop replacement.
Your Best Granite Countertops
You have so many granite choices for countertops, it can feel overwhelming to narrow it all down. But if you keep these 8 secrets in mind as you go about choosing granite countertops, you’ll find the process becomes much simpler.
Of course, it also depends on who you talk to! Reach out to our granite experts today to learn more about the perfect piece of granite for your kitchen or bathroom countertops!
Affordable Granite Concepts is a premier granite installation and fabrication company located in Altamonte Springs. We offer one of the biggest selections of granite, quartz, and natural stone to the Orlando area at our 12,000 square foot showroom.
We prioritize satisfaction, quality, and timeliness. Our ultra-fast granite fabrication process for custom granite countertops takes only 3-business days. If you’re in Central Florida, you can count on us to make your vision come to life at the best price!
