Pittsburgh Granite Counters

Kitchen remodeling has become extremely popular with today's homeowners, and why not? In addition to making the place you live in more attractive, renovating a kitchen also makes the most utilitarian room in the house a more convenient place to work in. If these reasons aren't enough, giving your kitchen a makeover also brings one of the highest possible returns on your investment of any home improvement project. In some cases, most or all of the money you spend on renovation is recouped in the value added to your property.

Along with getting new appliances, replacing old cabinetry, and putting down better flooring, one of the more interesting aspects of kitchen remodeling is choosing new countertops. There are synthetic, solid surface counters, butcher block counters, and many others to choose from. Perhaps the most desirable and valuable counter material of all, however, is granite.

Benefits of Granite Counters in Pittsburgh
Granite countertops are solid in both their physical make up and their place in the highest rankings of building materials. As far as toughness goes, granite is surpassed only by diamond, sapphire, and ruby in hardness for naturally occurring materials. Unlike less expensive materials, you can't burn granite counters; Pittsburgh residents will find that this comes in handy when making french fries to put on their sandwiches or when looking for a convenient spot to put hot equipment after cooking up a batch of pierogies.

They will not scratch or scuff, and they won't go out of style, either. When equipped with granite counter tops, Pittsburgh kitchens will have no worries about ever needing an upgrade. As a material, it has been used in construction for centuries, and remains a popular choice for anyone who wants the best of both style and quality. Granite is also considered an excellent choice for those looking to increase their home's market value. When a prospective buyer sees a kitchen with granite counters, they are rarely disappointed.

Drawbacks of Pittsburgh Granite Counters
Though elegant and durable, there are a few things to consider before purchasing granite countertops. Pittsburgh residents should be aware that, though they will resist heat better than just about any surface commonly used in residential settings, it is always recommended that a trivet be used to keep the surface clean and to protect any sealant that is present.

Speaking of sealant, granite, though less porous than most other natural materials, can still absorb liquid if it is left to pool for a long period of time. Applying an appropriate sealant will help reduce this, but it is still a good idea to clean up spilled liquids sooner rather than later to avoid stains. If you're thinking about granite tile counters instead of slab granite, it should be noted that grout is even more porous, and should definitely be sealed.

Granite is very strong, but it is also very heavy. In some instances, additional support might need to be added to your counter to hold up a granite slab. Its formidable weight also comes into play with shipping costs. As certain colors and patterns of granite only come from certain places, you may have to pay much more for colors quarried in Texas than those native to Virginia.

Prices of Pittsburgh Granite Counters
To install slab granite countertops, Pittsburgh residents should expect to pay in the neighborhood of $4,500. Opting for granite tile comes in closer to $2,000, but is considered less desirable (and maintaining the grout will take much more effort than caring for a slab counter). Slab installation shouldn't take more than 2 weeks, while tile installation should only be a few days.