The long-term benefits of granite kitchen worktops in Guildford

Without doubt, installing a new kitchen is a big investment, whether this is in a new-build property or as part of a remodelling project. This means that not only should your immediate needs be considered, but also the long-term benefits will need to be taken into account.  When planning the design and functionality of your kitchen area, choosing the right work surfaces is of prime importance. 

If you find the decision making process daunting and are lacking inspiration, the Affordable Granite team are only a telephone call away and are on hand to offer advice on all aspects of selecting and fitting your granite kitchen worktops in Guildford.

Granite kitchen worktops in Guildford have great visual appeal as well as being a superb platform for food preparation and casual dining and the sealed stone provides a hygienic, easy to clean surface which is also incredibly durable.  The changing nature of the kitchen over the years has evolved into a multi-functional room which has increasingly become the heart of your home. Granite is compatible with other lifestyle activities centred around the daily culinary tasks, with the design space often including additions such as a breakfast bar, provision for a mini-office or T.V viewing and for socialising.

Each slab of granite is unique with the colour and patterning dependent on where in the world the stone has been mined and the percentage of trace elements the slab contains, such as quartz, silica, mica and feldspar.  Affordable Granite currently hold 10 stock colours, with many more bespoke colours available to order, enabling you to personally select the perfect slab to suit your design scheme. “Zimbabwe black” for example will give a stunning focal feature in a contemporary kitchen, marrying well with stainless steel units and giving a breath-taking reflective appearance under lighting. Blue Pearl with little or no quartz content, or the peachy, butterscotch shades of Fantasy Ivory for example complement wooden base units and glass doors. Granite may well be far more budget friendly than you have been led to believe – you do not have to  sacrifice quality for price.   

Investing in granite for your kitchen worktops in Guildford creates not only a kitchen with the wow factor, designed for a multi-faceted lifestyle,  but also enhances buyer appeal for the future.

For more information call our friendly team today on 01293 863992

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Choosing quality quartz for kitchen worktops in Brighton

So you've settled on quartz for your kitchen worktops in Brighton, but how do you choose the best quality at a price which doesn't break the budget? The Affordable Granite sales team are always on hand to help you make the right choice and to explain the pros and cons when selecting your stone slab, but here are a few points to get you started. 

Unlike granite, quartz is an engineered stone, fabricated by blending particles of quartz with various other minerals before bonding with a plastic resin. This creates a highly durable composite which can be polished and cut in a similar way to granite but has the advantage being non-porous to the extent that no stains will seep below the surface.  Quartz worktops for your Brighton Kitchen are also extremely low-maintenance, won't harbour bacteria and can be simply wiped down with soap and water; a definite bonus in a busy household.

Having taken into consideration the architecture of the kitchen cabinetry, the aesthetic personality and the home lifestyle, you're ready to select your quartz slab. How can you be sure the stone you've chosen is of a high calibre?  Affordable Granite source only stone from trusted suppliers, which has already passed intensive quality  checks. There is a vast variety of colours available, with a choice of solid colours from pure white to chocolate brown and black, or with patterns which mimic natural stone.  Quartz slabs are generally 3cm thick and the consistency of colour depends on how the aggregates have settled in the stone. If you want the visible edges of your worktop to conform with the colour or markings of the flat surface, you should check that the settlement runs all the way through the slab to avoid a blank edge profile.  

Quartz kitchen worktops in Brighton are an excellent choice for a contemporary kitchen and are a smart alternative to the ultra-modern industrial look of the stainless steel work surface which requires constant maintenance removing conspicuous finger prints and crumbs. Quartz is also a versatile addition to the kitchen/dining area and can be used as a focal point, whilst blending beautifully with natural materials such as wood.  If you have your kitchen wish list, Affordable Granite will make it happen.  Call us today on 01293 863992

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From quarry to your home – granite kitchen worktops in Brighton

When you admire a stunning kitchen with granite worktops, have you ever considered the journey that the stone has taken? Granite originates from various sites from around the globe and the granular nature is unique to the quarry from which it was mined. It is generally a compressed molten rock which has formed deep in the Earth's crust. When Affordable Granite install granite kitchen worktops in Brighton, the transition from the extracted stone to the finished article is remarkable.

The provenance of the granite with the inherent mineral content such as mica and feldspar and quartz, determines the colour and the patterns which are as individual as a piece of art. With the advances in technology, the granite blocks can be cut into slabs efficiently and precisely with a consistent thickness by the use of a diamond wire gang saw (imagine a supermarket giant bread slicer). This streamlined operation has cost saving benefits which can be passed on to the consumer, without any reduction in quality.  

The slabs are then coated with resin to ensure the stone surface is protected, followed by a line machine polishing process which will bring the natural depth and beauty of the granite to life.

The journey continues once these large slabs arrive at the Affordable Granite workshops from trusted suppliers, having undergone a process of rigorous quality control.
Selecting the granite for your Brighton kitchen worktops will depend on the style and personality you aspire to.

Granite is not only incredibly durable and functional, it also provides an impressive feature in the home, which can be the main focus in your design scheme, or a subtle addition to the kitchen plan.

Once the quotation has been accepted, the templating team will step in to create  templates of your kitchen worktops, ensuring the highest quality of installation, defining the shape and the ultimate appearance of the work surfaces. Master Stonemasons with their wealth of experience and craftsmanship will then take over to cut, polish and finish the granite to precise specifications.

Arriving at the final stage, Affordable Granite's own highly experienced installers will ensure a pristine finish to the jewel in your kitchen's crown. In reality, the end of one journey is the beginning of another, with granite worktops which will stand the test of time.

Call us today on 01293 863992 to find our more.

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