22

Oct

11 Interesting Things To Know About Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the most popular kitchen countertop materials. That’s a pure fact. It will be the favorite choice for many and for a few, they may be overrated. Anyways, following are some interesting things about granite countertops that should know.

Granite Is A Natural Stone

A natural stone is something that’s quarried out of the ground. Not a lot of people know about this fact of granite or granite countertops, but it’s a natural stone that makes these countertops such a treat for the eyes.

There is just something about a natural stone that’s so unique because no two slabs will ever be the same and there will always be something unique about each slab of granite countertop you have in your kitchen whether it be the mosaic pattern or the veining.

It Is The Oldest Rock

Granite is a very old rock. If you know anything about rocks and geology, then you would know that granite is quarried from a decent depth in the Earth. And the reason why is because it’s very old. The average age of granite that’s quarried for countertops is about 300 million years old. For reference, the asteroid that hit the Earth and killed dinosaurs was 65 million years ago.

So, it’s safe to say that if you’re choosing granite countertops for your kitchen, then they’re nothing less than a very precious artifact that can date back millions of years and that’s jaw-dropping when you think about it.

Granite Is An Igneous Rock

Another interesting thing to know about granite is that it’s made by the cooling and solidification of magma. Magma is the molten hot substance that’s found deep inside the Earth’s surface and once it cools, it can form rocks, granite being one of them, based on different compositions.

This process of cooling and solidification of magma to form rocks gives birth to rocks which are known as igneous rocks. So, in essence, granite is an igneous rock.

It’s A Latin Name

Have you ever wondered where the name “granite” came from? Well, to break it down for you in an easier way, granite is derived from a Latin word, “granum” which means “coarse grain”. If you think about it, the meaning of the word fits quite nicely with the properties of granite. Granite is a thick and coarsely-grained rock and it is rough and tough.

In fact, the name “granite” was proposed because of the very quality of the stone itself, which is quite interesting to think about.

The Composition Of Granite

A lot of people think that granite is a derivation of magma and that it is composed of magma. We also explained that earlier in this blog. Well, this is true, but let’s go a bit deeper this time. If you think about it, the composition of granite is different from what people think.

Granite is made up of quartz, feldspar, pulverized minerals, and mica. Quartz and feldspar are two main constituents found in the deep layers of Earth and feldspar is a main component of magma. Mica, on the other hand, is added to impart color to the stone, giving granite its characteristic color and appearance. There is a huge variety of mica that can be incorporated in granite which in turn can lead to different colored granite slabs.

Granite Countertops Are The Hardest

Granite is considered to be the hardest countertop surface material used in the kitchen. It has a hardness of 6-8 on the Mohs hardness scale and it’s pretty up there with diamond, the hardest rock on the planet with the hardness level of 10 on the Mohs scale.

This quality of granite is owed to the immense heat and pressure under which magma is cooled and formed into rocks and this is what gives granite its strength and durability. If you invest in granite countertops for your kitchen, then you can rest assured that they’re going to last you a long time.

The Countertops Are Durable

Along with hardness, granite countertops are also quite durable. Durability is a great feature of this rock and it’s one of the biggest selling points of granite. Granite, once installed in your kitchen, can last up to 60 years if maintained properly.

Durability is a huge deal for people and they want something that’s going to outlive everything else. Because granite is expensive and people spend a mini fortune on it, it’s only fitting for the countertops to last for a long time without any major problems. All you need to do is seal the stone every few years.

Knives Can Get Damaged By Granite

Granite is a hard material and while you can scratch it a bit with your knife, the rock will be doing a great deal of damage to your knife as well. Granite is known to ruin and break knives if the two things are always in contact with each other. A sharp knife can get blunt in no time if you’re constantly using it on the surface of granite.

This is why it’s advised to use a cutting board for any chopping and slicing because granite countertops can quickly damage your knives to the point of no return, and that’s quite something. And of course, the granite surface and the seal can be damaged by the knife as well if you use the knife directly on the countertop.

Countertops Are Naturally Fractured

The beautiful veining you see on the surface of granite, which is a major attractive feature of the rock itself is a fault. These are natural fissures and fractures present on the topmost surface of granite that are later filled with mica and give rise to an intricate veining pattern.

Granite, because it’s formed under high temperatures and pressures, can easily get cracked and form fissures on the surface. This is also what makes this rock porous, which is why you need to seal it to make it waterproof. Talk about an imperfection being this beautiful.

Heat Resistant Countertops

Granite countertops are also quite resistant to heat. Since they’re made inside the Earth where temperatures are higher than in any man-made furnace, granite can sustain high degrees of temperature without getting damaged and that’s a great quality. Heat resistance is important to think about when getting countertops for your kitchen because there is handling of all types of food on the countertops and you’re not always careful or mindful about not putting hot things on the countertop surface.

With granite countertops, you don’t need to worry about anything, because it’s going to sustain the high cooking temperatures and your countertops will always remain good as new. But to protect your countertop, don’t get carried away by the fact that granite is an ingenious rock and don’t put hot pans directly on the countertop.

Adds Value To Your Home

If you have granite countertops in your kitchen and you’re thinking about selling the house, then be prepared to get a lot of offers that will sound too good to be true. Granite is one of the few materials that can add value to your house.

It is an extremely popular material among people and they will appreciate the fact that the kitchen of the house they’re trying to buy already has granite countertops. You will get a good deal for your house.

Conclusion

Granite is a durable countertop material and it’s loved by the masses. These interesting things will surely pique your interest in this material. And if you want to see it in your kitchen, well, get in touch with granite installers Potomac.

08

Oct

10 Kitchen Island Design Tips

An extra working station in the kitchen never hurts anyone, and an island is a perfect companion if you’re a busy bee in the kitchen. When considering a kitchen island that should match your quartz or granite countertops, you will some help to nail down the design of it. These tips are going to help you out.

Don’t Crowd The Space

One of the most important factors to consider when going for a kitchen island is to ensure that there is a sufficient perimeter of space to work around the island. It shouldn’t feel cramped or crowded because that’s only going to hinder your performance and productivity in the kitchen.

The place where you decide to put a kitchen island should be big enough to have a lot of space around it so that you can walk freely without bumping into things because that’s the worst thing and you don’t want to neglect this aspect when designing the perfect kitchen island for your space.

The Utility Of The Island

The next crucial thing to go over is the general functionality of the kitchen island. A kitchen island is a very versatile article and it can be used for a lot of things. You can use it as an extra working space. You can also use it as a place to set all of your appliances. Also, you can use it as a breakfast bar to sit down and eat your meals, or if the island is big enough, it can be used as a dining area for you and your family. In this way, you’ll be saving a lot of space and you won’t need to get a separate dining table for your house.

So, there are plenty of uses for a kitchen island and the question you need to ask yourself is: What am I going to use it for? If you know how you’re going to use the kitchen island in your space then it’s less likely to be a waste of space and you’ll find it practical as well.

It Should Be Proportionate

The size of the kitchen island also matters a lot when you’re designing one for your space. There are specific dimensions that are perfect for a kitchen island and it looks stunning as well. Usually, the height of the kitchen island should be shorter than your countertops or almost the same. It shouldn’t be too much, otherwise, the kitchen will not look proportionate at all.

As for the length and width, something in the range of two to three meters and one to two meters, respectively, is perfect. Anything bigger or smaller than this range can dampen the look of the kitchen and you don’t want that. But you must keep the dimensions of your kitchen in mind because a small kitchen island for one kitchen could be big for another.

The Material You Choose

Kitchen islands are made from the same materials countertops are made out of, so you need to think about the selection wisely. Firstly, you need to opt for a material that not only compliment the rest of the kitchen, but it’s also easy to maintain and clean.

If you have a certain material for your kitchen countertops, then you can go for a similar or a contrasting material for the island.

Which Color To Go For?

The color of the kitchen island is also a crucial thing to decide. The great thing about kitchen islands is that you can play with bold colors pretty freely. Something about a kitchen island makes everything look so balanced and muted, that even if you go for a bold and stark color, it won’t look as harsh and you can easily get away with this color selection.

Try to play with a bit of color when going for a kitchen island because it’s going to add a wonderful edge of boldness to the entire kitchen and make it look unique.

Have A Seating Plan

It doesn’t matter if you’re not using the kitchen island as a dining table or breakfast bar, it’s still a good idea to have a couple of seating options in the kitchen. You need to have some stools placed along the kitchen island because this addition is going to complete the entire look and make the island look a lot more put-together.

If you’ve seen home exhibit magazines before, then seats with a kitchen island look very promising and they add a welcoming and warm vibe to the entire kitchen without making it look cramped and cluttered.

Make It A Convenience

A kitchen island should be there to make things easier for you. So, when you’re designing one for your kitchen, don’t forget about adding electrical sockets and power outlets for the appliances. These things can easily slip through your mind, but they’re one of the most important additions to a kitchen island especially if you’re using the island as a place for all of your appliances.

Think about how many appliances are going to be propped on top of the island and how many power outlets you’ll need. You will thank yourself in the future for thinking ahead of time.

Avoiding Seams

When designing an island and choosing the material, try to go for a singular slab of stone, so that seams are a non-issue. Seams are inevitable in countertops, but with kitchen islands, you can easily avoid them because the installation of stone countertops on an island is a lot easier than that on countertops with sinks and other grooves.

This is going to make the cleaning process a lot easier and with no seams, you don’t need to worry about the surface of the kitchen island looking choppy because it won’t have the same result if you opt for a single slab. Even if your kitchen island has a sink, choosing the right installer will result in no or very few seams.

Drawers

Extra storage is a must for everyone and what better way to make a kitchen island more functional than to include big drawers? Drawers can be a lifesaver and they’re great for organizing things as well. You can have a designated place for all of the utensils and cutlery. And if you want to play it safe, then you can also get bigger drawers installed for your appliances that don’t get a lot of use in the kitchen. This addition is going to ensure that everything stays safe and secured in a place and you know exactly where everything is.

What To Put On The Island?

If you’re still worried about the material selection, then you can use the things you put on top of the island as a guide. It’s important to pinpoint exactly what you’re going to be putting on top of a kitchen island so that the right material will not get damaged by overuse.

If you’re putting heavy appliances, then quartz is perfect to go for. If you’re going to use the island as an extra countertop than granite, soapstone, and quartzite are also good choices.

Conclusion

A kitchen island is a must-have if your budget and kitchen space allow it. These tips are going to help you design the perfect kitchen island that’s not only going to be multifunctional but will also make your kitchen look complete. Get in touch with granite contractors Rockville for the installation of your kitchen island.