7 Big Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Granite Countertops

When it comes to kitchen renovations, granite countertops are one of the most popular additions. That’s because their beauty, durability, and longevity make them both versatile and functional.

Want to avoid the mistakes that others usually make when they buy granite countertops?  This post will keep you ahead.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Granite Countertops  (7 Big No-Nos)

If you’re planning to buy a granite countertop for your kitchen, avoid these common blunders to make the most of this valuable investment.

1) Don’t Obsess Over Thickness

Although countertop thickness plays a big role in determining a countertop’s durability, it shouldn’t be your sole focus when it comes to buying. Granite countertops generally come in two thicknesses – ¾ and 1 ¼ inch. If you go thicker, you’ll likely end up with two slabs glued together, which is not a smart purchase. If you want thicker countertops, fork out for custom solid slabs. They’re expensive but worth it.

2) Don’t Prefer Colour Over Quality

Granite countertops come in a wide range of colours and unconventional veining patterns that enhance your kitchen’s visual appeal. But prioritizing colour over the quality of the stone is a mistake. For example, if you have a minimalist kitchen that would look great with a white granite countertop, don’t settle for a low-quality stone. A high-end choice will be more valuable in the long run.

3) Don’t Forget to Seal Your Countertop

Granite countertops need to be sealed professionally before installation because granite is a porous material that stains easily otherwise. An unsealed countertop risks the granite’s appearance.

4) Don’t Forget to Match Your Countertops with Your Cabinets

Because both are collectively responsible for enhancing your kitchen’s form and function, match the style of your kitchen cabinets with your granite countertops.
For example, if your cabinets sport an intricate design, choose countertops with an equally intricate edge profile, like boulder, cornice, or basin edge. If your cabinets have a sleek design, a summit or volcanic edge is best. Mismatched countertops and cabinets make your kitchen look chaotic.

5) Avoid Incorrect Measurements

When buying granite countertops, always correctly measure your kitchen space so you don’t buy too many or few granite slabs. This mistake will end up costing you a lot of money and delay your renovation.
If taking measurements isn’t your cup of tea, contract an installation professional. You can also ask the countertop fabricator to send their technicians to take accurate measurements before you place the order.

6) Always Consider the Sink Cut Out

When ordering your granite countertop, remember to have the correctly-sized hole cut in the slab to accommodate your sink. Not doing so will cost you time and money.

7) Don’t Just Focus On Price

Price is a crucial factor when it comes to buying a granite countertop, but it’s not the only one. Going cheap or expensive are both big no-no’s, as a highly-priced countertop can make your kitchen look awful and an affordable slab can look stunning. Bottom line: keep an open mind and choose the countertop that best meets your needs.

Additional Tips to Buy Granite Countertops

Now that you understand what to avoid when getting the right granite countertop, we’ll give you some extra tips so you can make the best deal as a smart buyer.

● Consider the size of your kitchen when selecting the granite colour. If you have a small kitchen, go for light-coloured granite; dark colours complement larger spaces.

● Granite countertops come in a variety of finishes, the most popular being honed, polished and leather. A honed finish gives a matte look and leaves the surface smooth like satin. The polished finish is the most common and enhances the countertop’s pattern and colour, making the surface almost mirror-like. A leathered or brushed finish is meant to hide imperfections in the granite slab. It is created by taking a honed surface and running diamond-tipped brushes along it to add texture to the stone with subtle dimples. Each finish has unique features. If you’re looking for a buffed look, choose a honed finish, whereas if you want to make a statement with a shiny countertop, select a polished one.

● You have to choose between a slab and tiles when shopping for granite countertops. Granite tiles are budget-friendly and offer the durability and appearance of granite stone, but visible grout lines can be unpleasant and accumulate dirt and grime if not cleaned properly. On the other hand, granite slabs offer a uniform look but can be expensive when it comes to the costs of labour and materials.

● To reduce fabrication costs, avoid an under-mount sink cut. These require more cutting than drop-in sinks and increase the cost of fabrication.

When you’re buying a granite countertop for the first time, it’s normal to make the mistakes we’ve outlined here. Just make sure those mistakes don’t end up being costly. Trust MaxSpace Stone Works for more such insights and valuable information about granite countertops. Let’s begin with four amazing granite countertop colours to spruce up your kitchen. You can always reach us for a free consultation.