The Cost of Granite Countertops

The beauty, hardness and utility of granite makes it a highly desirable material for countertops in home design. In addition to its natural strength, granite is a beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room. Though the cost to add granite countertops to any new kitchen or remodel can be quite high, they remain the premiere choice in many new and remodeled homes.

The price of granite countertops ranges from $60 to $120 a square foot, which may or may not include the cost of installation. Discount granite can be found for as little as $30 per foot, not including installation. The premium cost is not in the stone itself, but rather in the costs related to transportation and installation.

The stone industry remains unregulated, which can make it confusing. Every entity that handles the granite, from the quarry to the supplier and fabricator, can establish their own pricing based on the demand in the local market. Dealers who provide full service, so that a homeowner doesn't have to do the shopping or planning, will add a markup of up to 50%.

Granite suppliers will typically have three or four groupings (or "tiers") of granite to choose from. The first tier will consist of the premium products that sell for the highest price. Stones are grouped based on several criteria including the country of origin, color, veins or patterns, thickness of the slab, amount of soft minerals in the stone, and current fashion trends. Some granite colors exhibit ""movement"", or a distinctive pattern within the color. The combination of color and movement also affect the final price of granite countertops.

Granite from lower tiers has the same beauty and utility as the slabs in the upper groupings. Additionally, stones in a lower tier could be harder than stones in a first tier, so it pays to get out and look around. A lower tier could also be referred to as "commercial grade." Typically the commercial grades have a large number of "pits" that have been filled in. The presence of softer minerals may require additional cabinet supports or penetrating sealant, which adds to the final price of granite countertops.

Cheaper, thinner cut stone may be a little less than two centimeters instead of a recommended three, in which case the installer would laminate it to plywood backing for additional stability. Discount granite suppliers will typically deal with a thinner cut stone; many suppliers now carry stones that are intentionally cut thin and laminated at the quarry. It is now common for stone that originates in Asia or India to be cut thin and fabricated prior to shipping. Pre-fabrication does create a lower cost product with less waste being shipped to the supplier. In addition, the fabrication is done in countries with much lower wages, saving on the labor costs at the final destination.

The price of granite countertops is greatly affected by the number of seams and cuts that will have to be made in the stone slabs. Discuss how the cuts will be made when the installer or fabricator makes their preliminary measurements for the template. Another thing to question are the hidden costs of wasted material. Depending on the length of countertops being installed, there will be at least three square feet of waste by the time the fabricator is finished. The cost of wasted material is paid by the homeowner.

Shopping for granite countertops doesn't have to be frustrating. Focus on finding a reputable supplier and installer who are willing to answer all your questions. Despite the fact that labor expenses are the largest price of granite countertops, this is one project that needs to be left to the professionals. The oversized sheets are extremely delicate and must be precisely cut. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could create an expensive mistake for a do-it-yourself homeowner.

Granite Countertops provides detailed information on granite kitchen and tile countertops, advice on installing and cleaning granite countertops, information on price and locations to purchase discount granite counter tops, and more. Granite Countertops is the sister site of Kitchen Sinks Web.

---

Safely Decorating Your Kids Bedroom

? Wall Decorations:Never place a wall hanging, picture, poster, or... Read More

Making Your Home Blossom is Easy

Having trouble getting a room in your home to have... Read More

Kitchen Island Ideas for Great Custom Kitchen Islands

Use kitchen island ideas to better understand how to create... Read More

Dont Hire Someone to Steal Your Joy: Decorate Your Home Yourself!

In researching what makes people happy, I discovered that "Planning"... Read More

A Spring Sampler

Spring is in the air, or at least we all... Read More

How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner Filter

The air filter in an air conditioning system keeps the... Read More

Interior Decorating For Cats - Protecting Your Possessions

Part 1The first thing a cat owner should know about... Read More

The History of Cuckoo Clocks

Although the exact date remains a mystery, it is commonly... Read More

The Benefits of Wood Cook Stoves

Wood cook stoves have been used for hundreds of years.... Read More

Goose Down Comforters ? Warm, Cozy, and Lightweight

Who wouldn't want a goose down comforter and a pretty... Read More

Decorating a Romantic Room

Creating intimacy in a room is about finding a mixture... Read More

Faux Wood Mini Blinds

Though wood blinds and shutters are the most popular window... Read More

Finding a Bamboo Flooring Supplier

Bamboo, a type of grass that grows all over China... Read More

Amish Furniture A Piece Of American Pride

Over the past several months I have been actively working... Read More

The Many Types Of Light Available Today

The Many Types Of Light Available TodayWhat's in a light... Read More

Entryway Benches - Why Theyre a Must Have in Every Home

One of the easiest ways to leave a lasting, warm... Read More

What are HEPA Air Filters?

The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that almost 90% of... Read More

The Demand for Massage Therapy Chairs

Massage therapists are in high demand. Consumers recognize the physical... Read More

5 Ways In Which You Can Make Simple Changes To Your Home Decorating

Home decorating, ever wanted to try it, but hesitated because... Read More

Using Color To Change The Size Of Your Bedroom

Did you ever wish your bedroom was bigger or smaller?... Read More

Easy And Inexpensive Kitchen Decorating Tips

Small changes can have a big effect on how your... Read More

A Brief History of Grandfather Clocks

Since the beginning of civilization, humans have searched for a... Read More

Wine Rack Kits and Plans

Properly storing wine keeps flavor and lets wine age so... Read More

Discount Granite Countertops

The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal... Read More

Summers Unexpected Outdoor Candelabra

For picnic tables, decks, porches, patios, and sidewalks, decorators are... Read More

Five Simple Changes To Your Home Decorating

Home decorating, ever wanted to try it, but hesitated because... Read More

Simplicity with Your Home Wall Decor

I can still picture my roommate as she lay stretched... Read More

A Guide to Wine Picnic Baskets

Wine picnic baskets are just the ticket for two, four,... Read More

The Benefits of Wood Blinds

In interior design, the blinds found on windows and doors... Read More

The Benefits of Gourmet Picnic Baskets

Instead of carrying dinnerware, silverware, beverage containers, and so on,... Read More

Color Psychology: The Joy and Pain of Yellow

Warm and luminous like sunlight, the right shade of yellow... Read More

Do You Need An Interior Designer?

All of us want our homes to be places of... Read More

A Look at Custom Shutters

Who doesn't love the look of shutters? On the outside,... Read More