One of the most majestic natural stones on earth is granite. It has been used in building projects since ancient times. The stone was mainly used for public buildings and roads in antiquity. Nowadays, granite is available for private use in homes, usually in kitchens and bathrooms.
Granite undoubtedly can make any kitchen look phenomenal.
Have you ever wondered how the slabs arrive at your local store and are prepped for installation in your kitchen? This article provides a glimpse into the process of acquiring your stunning granite kitchen countertops.
In the quarry
Granite is a natural stone that is mined from quarries located throughout the world. Your local granite supplier may import granite from a quarry located in the United States, such as Texas, Massachusetts, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Georgia. Or they may import your granite from quarries from places around the world like Brazil, Italy, India, or China.
A quarry is a pit in which the granite is extracted from the surface of the earth. Once the granite is unearthed, quarry workers will cut large blocks of the stone from the mine and ship them to suppliers. At the factory, the real magic happens. Granite manufacturers turn these simple, dull rocks into beautiful, ready-to-use slabs. The manufacturers finish the granite by buffing it until it shines. They will also use a machine that forms edges for the granite countertops.
At the store
Typically, when you visit a store specializing in stone countertops, the salesperson will show you samples of granite stone. The stone samples are usually tiny – between 6 x 6 inches and 12 x 12 inches. Samples this small won’t give you a good idea of how your kitchen countertops will look. Some stores may have a relationship with the supplier and will allow to visit the supplier to take a look at the full slab of granite. Some countertops stores manufacture or fabricate onsite so they have hundreds of slabs for you to browse and make your selections without having to go elsewhere.
This is a great opportunity because you will see the design details for the stone. Also, it’s good to visit the supplier because seeing the stone in a larger size may change your mind about it. This is because the pattern may look different on a larger stone than on a smaller piece. The supplier may also have more options available for you to view at the warehouse.
Once you make your selection, the supplier will mark the slab. The store will charge you for the granite slab which ranges from $35 – $100 per square foot. Once the granite is chosen and purchased, you will work with the store to determine the best day to install your granite kitchen countertops.
In your home
Before your slab of granite arrives, someone from the team will go to your home and take measurements in your kitchen. This will allow them to know how to cut the granite countertop. You will have to get a contractor to remove your old countertops from the kitchen.
Once the installation team arrives, they will reinforce the current cabinets, if necessary, to ensure that they can withstand the weight of the granite kitchen countertops. The team will bring in and install slabs of the granite, section by section.
Depending on the size of your kitchen and the countertop areas, your installation may take four hours. The installation time may increase or decrease based on the size of your kitchen and the complexity of the job. So, there you have it. From beginning to end, this is the process for attaining your spectacular, new granite countertops.
Are you ready to switch out your old countertops for granite kitchen countertops? Texas Granite Design can help!
One of our experts will assist you with transforming your dated kitchen into a gorgeous modern one. We are an experienced stone fabricator that is certified to install countertops with the highest quality standard. We have everything you need in a one stop shop to make your vision come true. This includes a wide in- stock selection of hundreds of slabs for you to choose from comprised of quartz, marble, quartzite and of course, granite.
Contact us today to schedule your Free Consultation for new granite kitchen countertops!