The Different Types of Granite Countertops

A kitchen is the woman's domain, and one of the most sought-after items in any kitchen setup is the granite countertop. When buying a new house or redesigning an existing kitchen, a brand new countertop is one of the things that top the list in terms of importance and desirability.

Countertops are made from many different materials ranging from the cheap to the very expensive. Consumers today will be spoiled for choice at the huge variety of countertop options available. Every color, texture, shape and surface material imaginable is used in the manufacture of kitchen counter tops. Among the most popular choice is the granite countertop. One of the toughest and most beautiful types of marble available, a granite countertop will enhance and uplift your kitchen's decor.

While granite can be expensive, its sheer diversity and universal appeal make it the top choice for kitchen countertops. Granite's diversity comes from its finish. Raw granite from the quarry undergoes many engineering compositing and refining processes to end up with the perfect shiny product we see on the showroom floor. Here are a few common types of processed granite varieties used in kitchen countertops:

1. Granite pieces from the quarry are first cut to a more manageable size. This is done in a cutting slot where they are sliced and surfaced as required by the buyer. Depending on the quarry location and the innate qualities of the stone, granite slabs have differing colors and lines. The commercial feasibility of a slab of granite depends on its color and quality. For the discerning customer with money to spend, custom made granite countertops can be ordered on spec. The client is expected to choose his or her preferred granite type at the showroom or the stone yard, after which exact measurements of the client's kitchen are taken and the stone cut accordingly.

2. Sometimes granite slabs destined for kitchen countertops are honed instead of polished. Honing granite gives it the rustic and opaque look desired by many homeowners. As opposed to granite countertops with a high gloss polish, honed granite countertops have a decreased the depth of color, giving it a more muted look. Unfortunately, honed granite countertops are more susceptible to surface staining than polished granite.

3. The granite countertops found in a majority of kitchens are polished. Polished granite countertops shimmer under the bright lights and can add a touch of glitz to an otherwise drab kitchen decor. While granite is naturally shiny, minerals such as quartz crystals and feldspar are added to it to enhance the sparkling effect. In addition to the kitchen counter, polished granite countertops are also a regular fixture in the bathroom, as they are long lasting and easy to clean. It is commonly known that granite slabs that are polished longer than normal during its processing phase will retain its shine for an amazingly long time.

4. A middle of the road finish, satin granite surfaces are not as shiny as polished granite or as opaque as honed granite. Satin granite is probably the closest you will get to the stone's natural look. Occasionally additional texturing may be added to give it more variety.

5. While not as popular as natural granite countertops, kitchen surfaces made from engineered granite has all the qualities of its natural counterpart but is easier to clean and maintain. Engineered stone counter tops are largely composed of quartz particles combined with resins and various pigments. The end result is a stone slab that can be produced in varying thicknesses and a larger range of colors when compared to natural granite. Engineered granite countertops are not porous i.e. they are scratch resistant.