Why granite worktops are right for your kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home, and it certainly deserves time and money spent on it. According to Affordable Granite, a specialist granite company, if you are planning to give your kitchen a facelift, granite worktops are one of the best options

Here are a few reasons for installing granite worktops in your new kitchen.

Elegant and attractive

According to Affordable Granite, there are few stones that are as elegant and attractive as granite. Each slab of granite is unique and the colour and the texture of the stone mainly depends on the region it comes from. You will find a large range of hues and a wide variety of colours and designs in granite. No matter what your kitchen theme is you will find a perfect match for your kitchen update project. Granite worktops are extremely pleasing to the eye and can raise the overall value of your home.

Easy to clean

The kitchen by definition can be one of the messiest places in your home, there are likely to be water spills, grease and food leftovers are also a common thing.  Affordable Granite recommends granite for kitchen worktops and countertops as they are so easy to clean. Many natural stones which are sold as industrial granite are non-porous in nature, which means that any microbes, bacteria and germs will not be able to find any hiding place in your granite kitchen worktop. You can always spray disinfectant on the worktop to kill germs and keep your family safe. If the kitchen worktop gets dirty, you can easily clean it with mild soap and a damp cloth and the kitchen will be sparkling clean again.

Long lasting

Granite is sturdy and is likely to outlast any material (synthetic or natural) used in kitchen worktops. What is sold as industrial granite covers a wide variety of rocks of varying properties. The darker stones for kitchen worktops tend to igneous rocks, formed due by the solidification of magma. Other rocks used ibn the industry may be metamorphic schists – sandstones that have been heated and compressed under the earth’s surface until all the particles fuse together into a hard and often brilliantly patterned rock.  Granite worktops are resistant to scratches and they do not get chipped, cracked, or damaged.

Perfect for kitchen conditions

Granite worktops are considered perfect for the kitchen as they are resistant to heat and the surface of the kitchen top should not get marked by hot pots, pans or utensils placed directly on the surface. Affordable Granite would still recommend the use of a trivet for pans straight out of a really hot oven, though.

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5 Granite Worktop Colours that Change the Look and Feel of Any Kitchen Space

Choosing granite worktops for your kitchen means you are giving your kitchen a highly effective and luxurious feel. The one difficulty many homeowners face with granite worktops is choosing the right colour for their kitchen. So, here we have detailed the five most popular granite worktop colours for kitchens.

Black Granite Worktop

Black granite worktops look elegant. For a classic look, pair them with neutral colours. Black worktops are well suited to rooms with large windows that bring in more natural light. Some people feel that black worktops create a shrinking effect in their kitchen. To avoid this, you can mix it with light coloured or white cabinetry.

White Granite Worktop

White granite worktops are suitable for a kitchen with new appliances and trim. To create a contemporary look, mix white granite with modern appliances or, if preferred, pair them with the vintage appliances for a traditional look.

Red Granite Worktop

Did you know red granite has a rich history? Red granite can be found in ancient Egyptian pyramids and red granite was actually used by the Egyptians for both building and decoration. Installing red granite worktops adds an energetic feel to your kitchen making it feel bold and historical. Mix it with neutral cabinetry to avoid it overpowering the room.

Green Granite Worktop

Green granite has brown and grey undertones and is earthy. They have geometric markings that work especially well with painted cabinets. Blend it with wood cabinetry and bronze hardware to provide an earthy feel. Green kitchen granite worktops can give your home a natural look, and a relaxing atmosphere since green is the colour of nature.

Blue Granite Worktop

Whichever shade you choose, be it plain or veined, a blue granite worktop never disappoints. Blue granite colours are highly popular for the unique beauty they add to a kitchen colour scheme. From the reflective flashes of blue minerals embedded in dark granite to the cool waves of light blue quartzite, there are few choices more exotic or more likely to spark a conversation in the kitchen.

The Bottom Line

Don’t think that granite is just any old stone! It is an ideal option for kitchen worktops and can be used with any kitchen design. Granite worktops provide a unique quality and feel and will bring the desired ‘wow-factor’ to your kitchen.

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A Complete Guide to Granite Kitchen Worktops

Whether you are thinking about updating your kitchen worktop or a full-scale kitchen refurbishment, investing in granite worktops is the most sensible and surprisingly affordable option you can choose. By replacing your old kitchen worktops, you are giving your kitchen a refreshed and luxurious touch. Granite worktops are a real investment and add great value to your home when installed. Unlike other materials, they are hardwearing and look like they have just been fitted, even after many years use.

5 Reasons to Choose Granite Worktops

Aesthetic Values

Granite worktops have a classic and timeless appeal which makes them the number one choice for creating a luxurious, modern kitchen. Due to their individual veining and colouring, granite worktops offer exquisite designs and striking visual appeal.

Hardwearing

Granite worktops are hardwearing and durable. This makes them the ideal choice for busy kitchens that are the focal point of your home. They can withstand intense use and also have high resistance to scratches, stains, and heat.

Easy to Maintain

Granite worktops are easy to clean and maintain especially when compared to other worktop materials. A wipe down with a damp cloth is generally all that is required.

Versatile Design

Since granite slabs have the same structure throughout, they can be shaped and polished into curves. Granite is the ideal choice for bespoke designs and fittings. For this reason, you are likely to see granite worktops being used in kitchens and bathrooms in both residential and commercial environments.

Adds Value

As mentioned earlier, granite worktops are visually appealing and can add more value to your home. This factor also improves the appeal of your home to buyers if you decide to put your property on the market.

In addition, granite kitchen worktops come in a wide range of colour choices. Since granite is a natural stone, your colour choice will be a natural shade that will complement your kitchen colour scheme perfectly.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of using Quartz Worktops

When you are thinking about updating your kitchen, you need to take a lot into account. The process of choosing the right products to create the kitchen of your dreams can be very stressful. When it comes to installing a new kitchen worktop, Quartz kitchen worktops are gaining in popularity these days.

By knowing the pro’s and con’s of using Quartz worktops, you will have a clear understanding of whether quartz kitchen worktops are right for you:

Pros

•    Non-permeable

Quartz worktops are manufactured from engineered stone, a man made material with many of the qualities of natural rock. Particles of quartz and other minerals are bonded with a plastic resin to create a hard, non-porous composite which machines and polishes like granite. Quartz worktops are easy to clean as they do not allow liquids to seep in and cause stains.  They can actually be better at resisting stains than natural stone worktops.  Because they do not have pores they inhibit the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms and so they can be considered to be more hygienic.

•    Resistance to heat

Quartz offers substantial resistance to heat when compared to the alternative synthetic options. They do not bend or buckle when touched by hot frying pans or pots.

•    Resistance to crack

They are more impact-resistant than many other types of materials used in kitchen worktops because of the presence of the flexible and elastic resin in between the crushed quartz pieces. Whilst they are scratch resistant, in fact it is not advisable to use sharp knives directly over the quartz countertop as they can blunt the knives!

•    Easy to maintain

Unlike marble and granite they do not require sealing. Other than the regular cleaning, you need not do anything to maintain the quartz worktops.

Cons

•    Costly

It is a high-end product with unique qualities. It can initially be thought to be expensive however the ease of maintenance, its longevity and hygienic benefits makes up for its upfront cost. In the longer term quartz worktops can prove to be a sound investment

•    Engineered material

For those who love the patterns and colours of natural products like marble and granite, a quartz worktop might be a disappointment.

If you are interested in buying Quartz worktop, contact us at Affordable Granite to find out more.

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Why Do Most People Prefer Granite Worktops For Their Kitchen?

Granite is a sturdy rock that is quarried in many parts of the world. Once it has been cut and polished it can be made into a beautiful and hard-wearing worktop. Granite worktops are available in a wide variety of colours, and can be custom made to fit exactly where you want them. Granite kitchen worktops can compliment any kind of cabinet style or design.

This is why the popularity of granite worktops is ever-growing.  Here are some other benefits of granite kitchen worktops:

•    They are highly durable and widely regarded as one of the most hard-wearing worktop surfaces. They offer great resistance to chipping, cracking and scraping. After installing a granite worktop, you don’t necessarily need to replace it ever. Granite kitchen worktops make an excellent long-term investment.

•    They don’t stain easily and you can confidently work in your kitchen without worrying about whether the worktop is up to the task. Granite worktops can effectively resist bacterial growth.

•    Cleaning granite worktops is easygular intervals to keep them stain-free and looking as good as new.

•    They can also improve the value of your home, often by more than the cost of the worktops themselves.

•    Granite worktops are aesthetically pleasing. They look rich and luxurious, and have a distinctive quality appearance about them. They have a natural appearance because each piece of granite is unique which adds to their appeal. Whilst quartz worktops can be as efficient as granite worktops for your kitchen, people who prefer natural materials are more likely to choose granite.

•    In the past, granite was rare and costly but nowadays, due to the wide availability of raw materials and the improved machinery available to cut and polish they have become more popular and affordable.

•    They are not easily damaged by extremes of temperature which means you are free to put hot pans or pots on your granite worktops directly from the hob or oven.

However, make sure that you buy from a professional granite company so that your worktops are exactly what you want and fitted expertly. If you follow this simple rule you new kitchen worktops can last a lifetime

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How to Choose the Perfect Granite Colour

The great thing about choosing the perfect granite kitchen worktop is that you are free to choose from a huge variety of colour tones and patterns that elevate your kitchen to a truly elegant space.

Here are some ideas that will lend your space that polished look:

•    If you’ve planned to have black, white or neutral toned walls and cabinets, a great match would be to pair it with white granite or quartz kitchen worktops.

•    With both granite and quartz worktops, you can opt for marbled and striped patterns. Pattern can undoubtedly add to the character of the space.

•    Beige granite offers a warm and luxurious feel, especially when matched with cream coloured walls and brown wooden cabinets. Both granite and quartz worktops in beige look great with flecks and veins of brown, black, grey or other dark shades.

•    Black worktops have a modern, practical feel. Particularly suited to steel cabinets or refrigerators. This granite with specks of silver or green pairs equally well with warmer wall tones also. Black granite, quartz or stone worktops have a great shine to them, which appeals to most homeowners. A black worktop also pairs well with other counter-top materials such as wood, steel, or even granite of other colours.

These combinations are just tips to help you get started. So go ahead and explore different combinations, you’re sure to find the perfect one to suit your home.    

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Tips for Designing Home Kitchens: Kitchen Worktop Surfaces

Designing your home can be an exciting and astonishing journey. The kitchen is often deemed the very heart of your home, and therefore needs to be designed with careful planning and consideration.  The kitchen also needs to be safe and functional as this is where food, water, fire and electricity are all used at the same time!

Where to Start?

The first thing you need to decide on is the layout. To a great extent this will be decided by the shape of your room, but variations are possible, along the classic lines of:

•    Single Wall

•    Galley

•    U Shaped

•    L Shaped

•    G Shaped

Recently, the use of full height cupboards at the wall and islands has led to simplified worktop formats and big islands, often with interesting shapes.

Style and Colour choice

The next question will be the units – contemporary or traditional? If traditional, in-frame or standard doors? The choice will be dictated both by your taste and budget.

Once the unit style is established, you will need to look at the colour. There is massive variety in kitchen unit colour and finish these days.

Kitchen Worktop Surfaces

The colour of your granite or quartz kitchen worktops has to work with your walls and cabinets. Home owners choose both highly contrasting shades, and closely matching worktops. In general, traditional kitchens are best topped with natural or natural-looking materials, while clearly man-made looking quartz worktops suit contemporary kitchens. But the choice is yours.

The ideal material for your new kitchen worktop should be durable – water and heat resistant, tough against breakage, scratching and chipping, and with good stain resistance. It should not be conducive to the growth of bacteria or fungi.  It should also be low maintenance.

Many materials match some of these criteria, but there is no one magic bullet. However, at the top of the tree so far as all-round excellence is concerned are the following:

•    Granite kitchen worktops (especially good for darker colours)

•    Quartz kitchen worktops (especially good for lighter colours)

•    Dekton kitchen worktops (especially good where scratch and stain resistance are paramount)

Owing to the origin and composition of these materials, they are available in a plethora of colourful shades and patterns. Of the three, Quartz worktops are excellent in strength, being perhaps the easiest to work with for installation purposes. Granite worktops have similar properties, but as natural products can bring their own challenges with batch variations and sometimes structural weaknesses. 

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