Friday, October 12, 2012

Granite Counters: Beautiful, Durable, and Desirable



Granite counters were just beginning to be used in homes a century ago. But even as recently as thirty years ago, very few homeowners had the means to afford polished granite in their homes. Granite has always been more expensive than other suitable materials. This is because removing granite from the quarries and cutting it for final use is a very labor intensive process.

Granite is still more expensive than most other materials, but the difference is not as great as in the past. You may find that installing granite counters would be quite affordable. A large portion of the granite used in the USA is imported from other countries where labor rates are much lower. Even with the cost of shipping the granite slabs, the lower labor cost makes it a viable process.

Although granite costs a bit more, the value added to your home will always be there. If you decide to sell your home sometime in the future, you will probably get more than your investment back. Even if you don't sell, when you spread the slightly higher cost of granite over just a few years, it is hard not to see that it is a good investment. And, your granite counters will provide a lifetime of pleasure and utility, and still look as good as new.

Granite is a naturally occurring and very hard stone. In fact it is one of the hardest stones on the earth. It actually requires a diamond saw to cut it for use. The hardness of this stone gives it a durability that makes granite counters very desirable.

Another reason Mankato granite counters are becoming so popular, is the natural beauty created by the extensive variety of colors and patterns available. No one has yet been able to create a man made product with the aesthetic properties of granite. Granite can add elegance to a room like no other material.