The Key To Granite Pricing

Although granite kitchen countertops are some of the most beautiful countertops available in the world, many people are very hesitant to purchase these types of countertops.  It is not because they don’t think that the granite countertop will look good in their home, but they are concerned about the granite pricing.  Granite countertops are some of the most expensive countertops to purchase and some individuals are concerned about spending that much money for a countertop surface.

Granite countertops are more expensive than other countertop materials for a variety of reasons.  Granite stone cannot be manufactured and has to be pulled out of the ground or stone quarry by qualified personnel, which adds to the cost of the stone.  Granite stone is also very hard, resulting in durability for the homeowner but making it harder for the manufacturer to shape the stone to the dimensions of the countertop.  The stone must also be polished and sealed properly to protect the stone from outside elements and bring out the shine that granite is known for.

Granite countertops are very durable and long lasting, which also results in a higher price for the finished product.  These countertops very rarely need to be replaced and have been known to last through several generations of homeowners without sustaining any significant damage or succumbing to the effects of age.  Because retailers know that you will probably only purchase one of these countertops for the duration of the time that you live in the home, they are determined to get their money’s worth from every granite countertop purchase.

Granite pricing will depend on a number of different factors.  One factor is the quality of the granite, which can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer depending on where they have obtained the granite.  Granite from some areas of the world is more highly prized than granite stone from other areas and the price of the granite will reflect the area where the granite was mined.

Another factor that will affect the price of the granite countertop is whether the countertop will be constructed out of granite slabs or granite tiles.  Granite slabs are more expensive because they are solid granite all the way through while granite tiles are cut to a thickness that will ensure that the overall strength of the granite remains and then adhered to a countertop form using a strong epoxy.

The last item that may affect granite pricing is the color and pattern of the granite stone.  Granite that is more colorful and has more brilliant flecks contained within it will be more expensive than granite that is monotone and dull.  Certain color combinations, such as pink and grey or black and white, are more expensive because they are the hardest to find in sufficient quantities to create a large number of countertops.