Monday, 19 August 2019

Following your dream of granite kitchen worktops in Crawley


When your dream is to create a stunning space with granite kitchen worktops in Crawley, it's wise to be cautious of allowing your heart to rule your head. The practical elements should never be overlooked by the temptation to focus only on the visual appeal. Providing the granite work surfaces are well cared for, these will be a permanent feature in the home long after changing décor or the replacement of kitchen fixtures and appliances. Consideration for functionality and compatibility with the home lifestyle will determine whether your choice of granite will live up to your aspirations for a kitchen space which is user-friendly and may also serve as a family hub.


Granite is a product of nature with subtle shades of colour and intricate patterns, determined by the geographic location and the mineral content present when the magma slowly crystallised within the Earth's crust. This produces an incredibly dense and durable stone ideal for a Crawley kitchen worktop which is in constant use and serves a variety of daily activities. Cleanliness and the ability to maintain this easily is paramount.  Although granite has some porosity, with hygiene being essential in a food preparation zone, during fabrication the granite is sealed to prevent bacteria growth and mould formation. An easy re-sealing process carried out annually at home, preserves a safe and healthy environment which is also resistant stains and spillages.


Granite kitchen worktops are multi-functional, designed to meet the flexible requirements of evolving living habits over time. Each slab of granite is unique, with variance of swirls and veining throughout the surface. Admittedly there is inevitably some evidence of fissures and pitting, but these aren't structural defects and are considered to be a unique characteristic of the natural geological formation and crystallisation within the stone, adding to the unique visual appeal.


When you come to select the granite for your Crawley kitchen worktops, advice is always available in the Affordable Granite workshops to ensure you understand the difference between a naturally occurring fissure and a defective crack in the stone. Generally, the darker shades of the spectrum show natural imperfections more than the paler shades. Your dream of a show-stopping kitchen can be realised with all the practicalities of measuring, cutting and matching your granite kitchen worktops provided by the dedicated and experienced Affordable Granite team.

Call us today on 01293 863992 and speak with a member of our friendly team.

Tuesday, 13 August 2019

Inside information on quartz kitchen worktops in Guildford


If you are installing a new kitchen or up-scaling an existing one, why should you choose quartz for your kitchen worktops in Guildford? There can be distinct advantages in quartz over marble or granite and these depend on various factors, including the home lifestyle and aesthetics. When considering the visual appeal of the kitchen work surfaces, quartz has uniformity in pattern and shading and will be consistent with the sample stone chosen in the Affordable Granite workshops. Admittedly it won't have the uniqueness of granite or marble, but many prefer a worktop which isn't subject to the pitting and fissures or variance in shading found in natural stone.


Quartz slabs are mad-made and this engineered product is a composite of finely or coarsely ground quartz crystals, combined with particles of other minerals and polymer resins. When pigments are injected into the compound, the colour palette is impressive, giving a wider scope to complement any interior design scheme, especially in an open-plan kitchen/living space. You will find a range of quartz which imitates the veining and pattern flow of granite, without any of the imperfections that have occurred in the formation of a natural stone.


In a multi-use, high traffic zone which calls for easy maintenance and hygienic food preparation, quartz comes up trumps. Unlike marble and granite, quartz kitchen worktops are non-porous, with no requirement for sealing and have greater resistance to stains and spillages created by chaotic cooks or unpredictable eating habits of any younger members in the home. The non-porosity of quartz also restricts the growth of bacteria and mould; essential for ensuring a safe and healthy environment in the kitchen.


Quartz is extremely hard wearing and this durability provides a kitchen countertop which will withstand constant use and retain its visual appeal for many years to come. This makes quartz a wise investment, not only for the benefit of present day living but also to increase buyer appeal in the future. Affordable Granite has all the expertise, with time-served highly skilled fabricators, templaters and a dedicated installation team as reassurance that your quartz kitchen worktops in Guildford will have the care and close attention throughout the entire project.

Call us on 01293 863992 to discuss your requirements with a member of our team.

Wednesday, 7 August 2019

Transforming a small space with granite kitchen worktops in Guildford


A small space can be transformed with granite kitchen worktops in Guildford, making a compact room more inviting while providing maximum functionality.
There maybe a misconception that granite is only suitable for large island or peninsular units, where in reality even a studio apartment can benefit from the clever choice of a kitchen work surface which creates cohesion with the overall interior design.


Polished granite is light-reflective with a stunning luminosity, bringing life to a dull kitchen which is lacking in natural light. Even in a relatively minimal kitchen zone, character and fusion of tone can still be introduced by opting for a soft and neutral colour palette, which will expand the perception of space.  There is also a sense of cleanliness in the paler shades, with a fresh and sleek contemporary influence.


The provenance of the granite determines the content and appearance of the stone which has been extracted deep beneath the earth's surface from various quarry sites around the globe. This gives a uniqueness of colour, veining and movement which is reflective of nature's breathtaking beauty. Affordable Granite ensures that the stone is only sourced from reputable suppliers, with rigorous quality control throughout the journey from quarry to kitchen. With the practice of purchasing in bulk, customers have the end benefit of the discounts achieved, without sacrificing condition or character of the stone.


Even when installing granite kitchen worktops in a small area, precision is paramount. The template and fit service provided by Affordable Granite's highly skilled in-house team, ensures the perfect finish of a work surface which will be used and admired for many years into the future. Granite is durable, easy to clean and maintain, making this an ideal choice for hygienic food preparation and serving environments. Before your granite counter-tops are installed, a protective coating will have been applied in Affordable Granite's Surrey workshops, reducing the natural porosity of the stone and giving greater resistance to staining from spillages providing they are not left to sit on the surface.

Advice is always available to help you to find the right solution for your kitchen space which will be within budget, complement your design scheme and lifestyle.