What Factors Determine the Cost of Granite Countertops?

When it comes to home remodelling projects, granite is a material loved by many homeowners. It adds a sense of luxury to any space, with a beauty unsurpassed by other natural stones. Its durability also makes it sought after for high-traffic rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, and it can last a lifetime with little maintenance. It comes in varying designs and colours, allowing it to fit into any decor style, whether classic or contemporary.

Granite countertops are a pleasing addition to a kitchen, but installing them can be costly. This is why many homeowners hesitate to choose this option. Granite is undoubtedly a luxurious material, as its cost ranges between $45 and $200 per square foot, including installation.

If you’ve been thinking of installing granite countertops, you should know that there are many factors that affect its cost. Keep reading to find out what they are.

A Breakdown of What Influences Granite Countertop Pricing

Confused about granite countertop prices? Here’s a list of factors that determine how much the material costs.

1. Dimension

The size of granite countertops varies of course by the home, but the average length and width are approximately 267 cm x 137 cm respectively. Because you pay for the kitchen countertop per square foot, the actual slab size may not have much effect on its final price.

What does affect your countertop’s price is its thickness. In most cases, manufacturers cut granite slabs from larger blocks in thicknesses of 2 or 3 cm. Obviously thicker slabs cost more but are also more durable. So, you can choose exotic granite almost at the same price as common granite by selecting a thinner slab.

2. Colour and Design

Granite countertops come in both rare and common colours. Colours such as beige, brown, and green are considered common, meaning they are most readily available so cost less. The rare ones (such as purple, red and blue) cost more. For example, Blue Bahia exotic granite from Brazil costs nearly $100 per sq. ft.

A unique design may also increase the cost of granite countertops. For example, a naturally-coloured granite countertop with metallic flecks may cost as much as a rare coloured granite countertop with a simpler design.

3. Origin

The source of the slab is a major factor in its cost. Most showrooms showcase granite slabs from all over the world. Similar-looking slabs may vary significantly in price based on their country of origin. For instance, those sourced from Italy may be more expensive than those from Brazil as shipping from Italy costs more. To save money, choose granite sourced from somewhere relatively nearby. Your countertop specialist will help you with this.

Alternatively, Google “top granite installers near me.” They can fabricate as well as install your countertop and cut down on additional transportation costs, which will translate to overall lower costs.

4. Grade

As granite is available in many areas of the planet, there is a huge variation in patterns and colours depending on the source of the stone. Some colours and patterns are rare and their prices will depend on the stone’s rarity. Granite suppliers categorize these features into grades.

For instance, granite with a Level 1 classification has the lowest prices as it comes in simple patterns and common colours. Level 2 has more complicated patterns, two or more colour combinations, and fewer common colours. Level 3 granite has rare colours such as green or blue and intricate patterns.

It is vital to note that these categories do not refer to the durability or quality of the granite but take into account its availability. For instance, a Level 1 granite slab can be as durable as one that is Level 3.

5. Stone Cut

Most people associate this natural stone with long slabs only, but stone fabricators also cut granite into tiles. The only benefit of granite slabs over tiles and modules is that the slabs look more attractive. This is because they require fewer seams so look smoother and sleeker.

If you have a limited budget then you can choose granite tiles as these are less expensive than slabs. However, many homeowners who do not want to compromise on quality prefer Level 1 granite slabs instead of exotic ones to reduce their costs.

There is no fixed pricing for granite countertops in Toronto. The more flexible you are about size and thickness, grade, stone cut, source, and labour costs, the more you can save. Yes, selecting this type of countertop on a modest budget can be a challenge. However, it becomes easier when you recruit a trusted stone fabricator like MaxSpace Stone Works. We have a huge inventory of granite and other slabs available to clients in the GTA. With more than one thousand in stock, we can sell top-quality products at affordable prices. Plus, our showrooms allow you to view the full slabs, not just rely on colour samples. That way you can better visualize the finished product. Read our reviews to learn more about how we serve our customers.