Adding granite to your home is one of the best decisions you can make as a homeowner. Granite is more than a renovation trend. It is a durable material guaranteed to give any room in your home a unique aesthetic. That is because no two pieces of granite look exactly alike. Once you decide to add granite to your home, though you now have a few other decisions to make. Those decisions require a bit of research on your part, such as learning more about granite countertops and the installation process.
Some homeowners prefer to order granite countertop from a do-it-yourself retailer, such as large chain stores found across the country. They take care of some of the process themselves. Meanwhile there are other homeowners who skip over the nationwide big box giants and prefer shopping around locally for a small business fabricator that can take care of the job. Fortunately there are questions that you can ask along the way, regardless of where you purchase granite countertops or who installs them in your kitchen, that can make the process easier.
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- How does the sample compare to the granite countertops that will be installed in my home?
Because the source of granite is deep below the surface of the earth, no two pieces are exactly alike. When you look at a sample of granite countertop or vanity, you are getting an idea of its durability and polished exterior more so than the colors. The colors in granite vary widely, and the natural patterns are different from stone to stone. The only way to get a true idea of the color of your granite countertops is to ask to see the slab that will be installed in your home.
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- Are the fabrication methods used to create my home’s new granite countertops up to date?
These countertops will be installed in your family’s home, so you have every right to ask questions about any part of the process. Regarding fabrication, you might ask how the installers will measure for the job. What method do they use for cutting the granite? While hand tools are perfect for creating beautiful kitchen cabinets for your home, they can be a disadvantage when working with granite. The latest fabrication techniques, on the other hand, will result in a higher quality, more precise countertop that will almost certainly outlast the rest of the elements in your kitchen.
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- Is the granite for my home’s new kitchen countertops sealed before or during installation?
If you ask this question and the answer is no then it does not necessarily mean that you need to find a separate contractor to seal the new granite countertops in your kitchen. In most cases, a homeowner like yourself is more than capable of sealing his own countertops. This is because granite countertops in the kitchen (or a granite vanity in the bath) requires periodic sealing to maintain the many good qualities of the stone, like its durability. If you do plan to seal the granite yourself, then be sure you ask for instructions from the manufacturer or installation company.
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- How can I determine the seam standards regarding my kitchen granite countertops?
Before you ask this question, you need to know what the seam is and where it falls within the countertops in your kitchen. A seam is where two pieces of granite join together, such as the angle in the corner of an L-shaped section of cabinetry, or the space where two smaller countertop pieces come together on a long section of kitchen cabinets. The installer will not give you a precise measurement, but instead will estimate a range of where the seam could fall.
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- Who will be installing the granite countertops in my home?
The installers will be coming and going from your family’s home. It just makes sense that you want to know who these people are and what kind of reputation they have. Ask the company that you order your granite from if the installers are employed by the company, or subcontractors that the company uses. Are the installers insured and bonded? What kind of background checks have been performed on these people?
If you have never ordered granite countertops before, then it would be difficult to know what to ask before handing over your payment. The last thing you want to do is leave yourself open and vulnerable to a negative experience. When you select a granite countertop company that holds itself to high standards, then you can be sure that the result will be that of high quality as well. Many granite companies are happy to patiently answer any question you have because they want to make sure you are happy with the final product.