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Discount Granite Countertops
Don’t Let the High Cost of Granite
Prevent You from Having Granite Kitchen Countertops
By Mark J. Donovan
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Granite countertops bring a natural beauty and aesthetics to a kitchen that is
unmatched by any other countertop surface. In addition, granite countertops
are extremely durable and will hold the test of time and use. Since it is a
natural product it also comes in many different colors and quality grades.
Granite countertops however are quite expensive compared to other countertop
solutions. Granite countertops can run upwards to $100 per square foot. But
fear not, if you’re fixated on granite and you have a limited budget there are
discount granite countertop solutions that just make work for you. |
Discount Granite Countertop Features
Discount granite countertops are ideal for those homeowners who are on a
limited budget or in a housing market that simply won’t yield a fair rate of
return for such an investment. Discount granite countertop solutions can sell
for significantly less than high end granite countertops.
What separates discount granite countertops apart from high end granite
countertops are several factors. Typically discount granite countertops are
either thinner or have a lower tier rating. Granite is graded on a numbered
tier system that classifies the granite based on factors such as its country
of origin, slab thickness, color, veins and patterns, and the amount of soft
minerals in the stone. Often lower grade granite countertops have the same
look as higher grade ones. They just may be thinner, or have colors, veins
and/or patterns that are in less demand.
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If you elect to purchase discount granite countertops they may require
additional support, if for example, they are thinner than higher grade
granite countertops. In some cases the thinner granite countertops may
actually come laminated to plywood to provide extra strength. Also, if
they have a higher percentage of soft minerals in them you may need to
more frequently seal them to protect them from staining.
Another major factor associated with granite is in the actual harvesting
of it. Granite needs to be quarried, transported, cut, polished and
installed.
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Often with higher premium granite the raw granite is quarried and
transported out of country prior to cutting and polishing it. Then it
needs to be installed by professionals. With discount granite countertops,
on the other hand, often the quarried granite is cut and polished prior to
shipment out of country. Pre-cut discount granite countertops are
typically cut in standard shapes and sizes, such as in rectangular or L
shapes, to fit common kitchen floor plans. By pre-cutting the granite
prior to shipping it, large costs savings can be realized by lower weight
shipping costs. In addition, often the local labor rates associated with
cutting the granite is cheaper.
Granite Countertop Tiles
Another discount granite countertop solution is to construct a kitchen
countertop out of granite tiles. The granite tiles are thinner than
traditional granite countertops and are cut from smaller pieces of stone. As a
result, they are less expensive than buying one large, thicker piece of
granite. Granite tiles can also be installed by the homeowner making them even
more affordable.
So if your mind is set on granite countertops and you have a limited budget
take a look at the various discount granite countertop options available to
you. With a little creativity and flexibility there is a discount granite
countertop solution that should meet your needs.
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Additional Kitchen Design Resources
Kitchen Faucets and Appliances from Amazon.com
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