Friday, 22 March 2019

Planning your new granite kitchen worktops in Brighton


Glorious granite; not only aesthetically pleasing but also ideal for kitchen
work surfaces, providing a hard-wearing and hygienic platform for food preparation and casual dining. Careful planning for your new granite kitchen worktops in Brighton is essential to ensure the finished article meets all your aspirations. Hasty decisions or cutting corners (no pun intended) during the installation process, are likely to be regretted later on.

No doubt you will already have a vision of how your kitchen should reflect your home's personality and life-style. You may have admired granite worktops in other Brighton kitchens and are keen to achieve the same affect. Granite however is a natural stone and as the composition of minerals will be unique to the quarry from which it was mined, no two slabs will be identical. Even within the same length of stone, some variation in shade and striations should be expected, although this is considered to add to the appeal.


Once you have decided on your available budget, the Affordable Granite team will provide a quotation based on your layout plan giving dimensions of existing base units, cut-outs for sinks and hobs etc. and the choice of stone.  Stock colours from the core product range will be more economically priced than ordering bespoke granite or larger slabs for island and peninsula units.


Templating is vital for ensuring a perfect fit when the granite kitchen worktops are finally installed. The template is a replication of your work surfaces and gives the opportunity to decide where the joining seams should best be visually avoided. These plywood templates will then be passed to the highly experienced fabricators in the Affordable Granite workshops, where the granite slabs will be cut and prepared for installation.


Although granite is moisture resistant, unlike Quartz it does have a degree of porosity. In order to protect the surface from stains and spillages the stone is sealed during fabrication and should be re-sealed over time in the home. This is a straightforward process and everyday cleanliness is easy to maintain with soap and water, wiped over and buffed with a soft cloth.


Affordable Granite believe that the breathtaking beauty of this natural stone, deserves the highest level of care from the quarry to your kitchen, where it will give pleasure for many years to come.  Call us today on 01293 863992 for more information.

Thursday, 14 March 2019

The properties of quartz for your kitchen worktops in Sussex


Quartz is a high-end engineered stone, consisting mainly of crushed quartz and combined with other re-cycled elements such as glass, silica and ceramics. The inclusion of polymer resins provides a non-porous surface without the need for regular sealing, unlike granite. The hardness of this man-made stone with its resistance to bacteria, gives a hygienic surface which is ideal for your quartz kitchen worktops in Sussex.


Once pigments are added during the manufacturing process, the colour options are considerable and the new generation of quartz with advancements in technology have increased the options for special effects and appearances. Despite this not being an entirely natural stone, it nevertheless gives granite and marble a run for their money and some quartz slabs have been produced to mimic the patterns and veining created by nature.



Although you won't find the uniqueness in quartz kitchen worktops that is present in granite, for some this uniformity is preferable to a surface with variations in depth of colour and striations. Neither will you see the imperfections which are visible in a natural product, as these can be resolved during the quality-controlled engineering process.



When choosing your quartz kitchen worktops for your Sussex home you should consider your home lifestyle to ensure they will be resilient in a busy kitchen space. In a high demand environment of the food preparation area, quartz kitchen worktops excel, with durability and low maintenance. The surface is easy to clean, generally with the use of only a soft cloth and warm water, avoiding harsh detergents.



Once you are confident that all the practicalities are met, you can focus on the aesthetics of your interior design scheme.  White is currently Affordable Granite's best selling quartz and is commonly used in modern, contemporary kitchens and helps to give the illusion of space in a small kitchen. If you are looking for a more classic theme, there is also the option of the more bold and dramatic colour palettes to complement traditional cabinetry.


If you find making the right decision daunting, advice provided by Affordable Granite's highly skilled craftsmen is available regarding all aspects of your kitchen worktop installation. Your available budget will always be respected, without forgoing quality or the exceptional standard of service. To find out more, call one of our friendly staff today on 01293 863992

Wednesday, 6 March 2019

What's great about granite for kitchen worktops in Sussex


Kitchens have evolved over time to become a multi-functional space reflecting the lifestyle within the home. A communal area for preparing food and relaxed dining is now common, with the kitchen zone becoming a hub for socialising, family hang-outs and even work-related activities. This change in culture requires a kitchen which is not only fit for purpose but is also aesthetically pleasing. So what's great about granite for your kitchen worktops in Sussex?  This natural stone has the durability to withstand the daily demands required in a surface which is in constant use. Granite also has an elegant beauty with each slab being unique to the mineral content found in the quarry from which it was extracted.


Affordable Granite ensure the high calibre of the stone by only sourcing supplies from trusted and reputable wholesalers. Discounts achieved by purchasing in bulk can be passed directly to the customer, bringing the price within budget without reducing the quality and value of the product. Granite kitchen worktops have longevity and should be seen as an investment, adding buyer appeal if the time comes to move on. With this longevity however, it would be wise to choose a colour and design you won't tire of over the years, or that a prospective purchaser won't consider too extreme.


By sealing the granite slab in the Affordable Granite workshop, this provides a protective surface which is easy to clean, with a low porosity which is resistant to the growth of bacteria, mould and most stains. Advice can be given on re-sealing your worktops and how to recognise when sealant needs to be applied.


Selecting the right granite slab is crucial to achieving the desired visual affect and create the perfect colour palette to complement your kitchen cabinetry. Due to the uniqueness of granite, it's always advisable to view the slabs for your Sussex granite kitchen worktops in the Affordable Granite showroom, where experienced staff are on hand with tips to help you make the right decision, ensuring your finished kitchen is exactly how you envisaged. A quality product is supported with an end-to-end professional service including highly skilled Stone Masons, Fabricators and a dedicated installation team.  To find out more, speak with one of our friendly staff today on 01293 863992