|
If you’re redecorating your kitchen or bath and are considering granite, you might be a little surprised to see posts out there proclaiming that granite—particularly in kitchens—is passé, outdated, even “dead.” Actually, it is these posts, which seemed to have peaked in 2012, and not granite that are obsolete. Granite has a timeless appeal. The ancient Egyptians used granite to build some of the Great Pyramids, using a quarry in present-day Aswan that dates to 3000 BC. During Britain’s Roman Era (43-409), granite was quarried in Wales. Granite is Popular Because for Its Durability and Color Range Granite has always been a popular material in high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms. The reason? It’s beautiful and durable. It’s hard to actually damage. Granite comes in more colors than you might expect and in a variety of shades. To call it trendy or boring, as some decorator blogs seemed to obsess about in 2012, is a bit silly as no two granite pieces are exactly alike. “The only reason granite will ‘go out of style’ is because of idiots on the designer shows and mags [sic] will say it is. It is a durable and attractive counter surface with few rivals,” one contractor commented on a MSN real estate blog trying to convince readers that granite had become passé. Most consumers writing on the site seem to agree with the contractor, particularly those who do a good deal of baking. “The solid rock surface [of granite] works wonderfully for rolling out pie pastry, scones and biscuits,” one wrote, while another asked “how can any natural product not have a timeless beauty?” Granite is Not Difficult to Maintain Granite also has a somewhat undeserved reputation for being difficult to clean. Not so, says the cooking blog thekitchn.com, which recommends a couple of reasonably-priced products, including Clorox wipes for occasional surface disinfecting. Another issue is that granite needs to be periodically resealed. This is true for most granite countertops; to be certain, check with the manufacturer or installer. Here is an easy test to see if you need to reseal your granite: 1. Put a few drops of water in high-use areas 2. Let it stand for 30 minutes, then wipe 3. If the water darkens the area, you need to reseal. Is resealing difficult? No. But check with the manufacturer or installer to make sure this is even necessary. If it is, use a penetrating sealer that is an oil repellent impregnator, which helps stop oil from bleeding into the stone, or a strippable (non-permanent) topical seal. Both are as easy to apply and buff in as furniture polish. Not All Granite Comes as a Heavy Slab Although most people associate granite in a slab form - as it is most often seen on kitchen countertops - it is also available in tile and used for kitchen back-splashes. Bathrooms are another place where granite tiles appear, in flooring and along tub, shower, and spa walls. Smaller granite slabs are used as bathroom vanities. Granite has also been fashioned into bathroom basins and even commodes. You will find granite in other touches, such as cabinet knobs and lighting fixtures. The natural beauty of granite will never go out of style so go ahead and get started with your remodeling job. For those living in and around Salt Lake City, Utah Granite City has all your kitchen and bath counter remodeling needs (and floor coverings, too).
Related Articles -
granite countertops, kitchen countertops, granite counters, bathroom counters, granite showers, granite installation, granite fabrication,
| 
