The Cost of Granite Countertops
The beauty, hardness and utility of granite makes it a highly desirable material for countertops in home design. In addition to its natural strength, granite is a beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room. Though the cost to add granite countertops to any new kitchen or remodel can be quite high, they remain the premiere choice in many new and remodeled homes.
The price of granite countertops ranges from $60 to $120 a square foot, which may or may not include the cost of installation. Discount granite can be found for as little as $30 per foot, not including installation. The premium cost is not in the stone itself, but rather in the costs related to transportation and installation.
The stone industry remains unregulated, which can make it confusing. Every entity that handles the granite, from the quarry to the supplier and fabricator, can establish their own pricing based on the demand in the local market. Dealers who provide full service, so that a homeowner doesn't have to do the shopping or planning, will add a markup of up to 50%.
Granite suppliers will typically have three or four groupings (or "tiers") of granite to choose from. The first tier will consist of the premium products that sell for the highest price. Stones are grouped based on several criteria including the country of origin, color, veins or patterns, thickness of the slab, amount of soft minerals in the stone, and current fashion trends. Some granite colors exhibit ""movement"", or a distinctive pattern within the color. The combination of color and movement also affect the final price of granite countertops.
Granite from lower tiers has the same beauty and utility as the slabs in the upper groupings. Additionally, stones in a lower tier could be harder than stones in a first tier, so it pays to get out and look around. A lower tier could also be referred to as "commercial grade." Typically the commercial grades have a large number of "pits" that have been filled in. The presence of softer minerals may require additional cabinet supports or penetrating sealant, which adds to the final price of granite countertops.
Cheaper, thinner cut stone may be a little less than two centimeters instead of a recommended three, in which case the installer would laminate it to plywood backing for additional stability. Discount granite suppliers will typically deal with a thinner cut stone; many suppliers now carry stones that are intentionally cut thin and laminated at the quarry. It is now common for stone that originates in Asia or India to be cut thin and fabricated prior to shipping. Pre-fabrication does create a lower cost product with less waste being shipped to the supplier. In addition, the fabrication is done in countries with much lower wages, saving on the labor costs at the final destination.
The price of granite countertops is greatly affected by the number of seams and cuts that will have to be made in the stone slabs. Discuss how the cuts will be made when the installer or fabricator makes their preliminary measurements for the template. Another thing to question are the hidden costs of wasted material. Depending on the length of countertops being installed, there will be at least three square feet of waste by the time the fabricator is finished. The cost of wasted material is paid by the homeowner.
Shopping for granite countertops doesn't have to be frustrating. Focus on finding a reputable supplier and installer who are willing to answer all your questions. Despite the fact that labor expenses are the largest price of granite countertops, this is one project that needs to be left to the professionals. The oversized sheets are extremely delicate and must be precisely cut. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could create an expensive mistake for a do-it-yourself homeowner.
Granite Countertops provides detailed information on granite kitchen and tile countertops, advice on installing and cleaning granite countertops, information on price and locations to purchase discount granite counter tops, and more. Granite Countertops is the sister site of Kitchen Sinks Web.
 Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:08:19 GMT Michigan spared sting of West Nile - Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press - BY SHERI McWHIRTER • RECORD-EAGLE • September 7, 2008 TRAVERSE CITY -- West Nile virus hasn't seriously bitten Michigan this year and seems to have spared the state's northern reaches. Yes, the mosquitoes were nasty this summer Aerial survey being conducted to find mosquito breeding grounds Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:53:44 GMT India a step closer to nuclear trade - Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor - The Nuclear Suppliers Group agreed Saturday to lift a 34-year ban on selling nuclear technology to India, even though it hasn't signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty. India secures controversial access to nuclear technology US Congress signals it will clear N-deal Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:01:15 GMT Side events bring out celebs in advance of VMAs - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - LOS ANGELES (AP) - Though the MTV Video Music Awards are the main event in town this weekend, some celebrities are satisfied enough with the side activities connected to the extravaganza. Britney 'Getting an Opportunity to Start Over' at VMAs Brand and Spears have been promoting the awards on MTV Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:10:38 GMT Health Highlights: Sept. 6, 2008 - Washington Post
Washington Post - On the heels of the huge nationwide salmonella outbreak that caused more than 1400 illnesses from Mexican peppers, a regional Oregon alfalfa sprout distributor has recalled its product in Oregon and Washington state after the sprouts were linked to 13 ... Salmonellosis outbreak prompts sprout recall Salmonella outbreak traced to alfalfa sprouts Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:31:13 GMT Spa Update: Hamilton Penalty Hands Win to Massa - AutoWeek
AutoWeek - By NIGEL ROEBUCK A drive-through penalty is the punishment for almost causing a collision in the pits. We know this because Bruno Senna was thus punished in the GP2 Series race at Spa-Francorchamps, and it cost him the race. Massa declared winner of Belgian GP Raikkonen's title hopes doused by Hamilton at Spa Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:46:22 GMT 'Wrestler' takes top honors at Venice - Variety
Variety - By NICK VIVARELLI Darren Aronofsky drama “The Wrestler,” starring Mickey Rourke as washed out pro wrestler Randy (the Ram) Robinson, in comeback mode both on and off the screen, pinned down the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion. Is Evan Rachel Wood dropkicking Marilyn Manson for Mickey Rourke? A Glance at 'The Wrestler' Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:55:44 GMT Hurricane, at Category 4, Heads Toward Cuba - New York Times
New York Times - By MARIA NEWMAN Hurricane Ike grew into a bigger threat to Florida and the Gulf Coast Sunday as it roared through the Bahamas mid-morning, with forecasters expecting it to gain in strength as it approaches Cuba. Video: Raw Video: Ike Pounds Turks and Caicos Powerful Hurricane Ike looms as trouble for Gulf Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:52:07 GMT Increased Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... "Learn how to be happy with what you have while... Read More If your furniture could do with a new look, then... Read More Are you ready to redecorate but have a limited budget?... Read More In this day and age, everything is about health and... Read More Versatile, strong & attractive, it's not surprising that copper has... Read More Having a nice house is everyone dreams. In fact, everybody... Read More Want your front door to really "sing?" Then paint it... Read More Aluminum blinds are a low-cost and durable solution as a... Read More In order to help give a room a classier touch,... Read More Nearly every residence has at least one ceiling fan. Ceiling... Read More A Little Savvy with Framed Art Prints and Photographs Can... Read More Who wouldn't want a goose down comforter and a pretty... Read More Exotic hardwood floors are made up of solid exotic wood... Read More Wall wine racks make it easy to store wine in... Read More Feng shui is a very popular and intriguing concept in... Read More A wood stove insert serves several purposes. First of all,... Read More At one time, ceramic tile was only for the wealthy.... Read More The number of metal wine racks available may seem overwhelming,... Read More Candle making can be a fun creative hobby. It can... Read More The bathroom may be the hardest room to decorate. Its... Read More Many people mistakenly assume that an air conditioning only controls... Read More All of us want our homes to be places of... Read More You see it all the time in retail discount stores:... Read More Butcher Block Table - A Working Piece Of FurnitureA butcher... Read More Solid hardwood floors should neither be installed over a concrete... Read More
Adsense
websites
Beautifying Your Home
Custom Slipcovers Can Give Your Furniture A Stylish New Look
Decorate Your Home with Shabby Chic
The Power of Candlelight
The Beauty of Copper - Copper Kitchens
What Should You Know About House Flooring
Pizzazz Your Front Door and More!
Aluminum Mini Blinds
Interior Decorating and Home Decor With Inuit Art from the Arctic North
A Review of Popular Ceiling Fan Manufacturers
Decorating With Art
Goose Down Comforters ? Warm, Cozy, and Lightweight
The Allure of Exotic Hardwood Floors
The Advantages of Wall Wine Racks
7 Feng Shui Fundamentals for Childrens Bedrooms
A Guide to Wood Stove Inserts
How to Brighten Your Decor with Hand Painted Ceramic Tile
The Benefits of Metal Wine Racks
Candle Making Supplies
Decorating The Bathroom ? Dress Your Mess For Less
A Look at Electronic Air Filters
Do You Need An Interior Designer?
Make Your Homes Style Unique With Mix and Match Decor
Looking for a Butcher Block Table?
A Look at Solid Hardwood Floors
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
You Know Your Home Dcor is Frumpy and Stale when?.
As a decorator, I have gone into many different homes... Read More
Home Decorating & The Smaller Place
"Big Things Come In Small Packages" We're all familiar with... Read More
The Benefits of Exterior Shutters
When you see a house for the first time, one... Read More
Tuscan Style Decorating - Three Essential
If Under the Tuscan Sun left you breathlessly and hopelessly... Read More
Tips for Taking Care of Fine Wood Furniture
Now that you have purchased some fine wood furniture, it... Read More
How to Clean Mini Blinds
Mini-blinds are very convenient and attractive window treatments. They typically... Read More
The Importance of Waterbed Sheets
Waterbeds provide a unique sleeping experience. They can be great... Read More
Caring for Your Wood Furniture
There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance and... Read More
How to Kickstart a Good Bedroom Design Project?
Dear friends,Any room in your home is primarily a space... Read More
How to Buy Discount Roman Shades
Roman shades adorn windows to block the sun or to... Read More
Not All Glass is Created Equal
Pressed glass, Depression glass and crystal - this month we'll... Read More
The Advantages of Copper Kitchen Sinks
If you want a touch of class and art in... Read More
The Art Of Home Decoration
If you would have your rooms interesting as well as... Read More
Where to Find Cuckoo Clock Parts
In some places, one might be able to find old... Read More
Can Bamboo Flooring Really Help Save The Worlds? Environment?
Probably not on its own, but its an excellent example... Read More
Craft Projects - A Home Decorating One Of A Kind Look
Have you been in a craft store or maybe gone... Read More
Is It Time To Move? Change Your Home Into A House... Have It Staged!
Heart and Soul Designs - Changing your Home into a... Read More
Safely Decorating Your Kids Bedroom
? Wall Decorations:Never place a wall hanging, picture, poster, or... Read More
Persian Area Rugs - Tabriz Rugs are a Fine Choice to Enhance Your Room?s Dcor
Tabriz rugs are made in the north western part of... Read More
An Introduction to Shutters
Window shutters can serve many purposes. In areas of the... Read More
Decorating a Kids Room
The most important thing to consider when decorating a child's... Read More
Update Your Home Decor Using Colorful Rugs
Retro, checks, black and white...looks like MOD is back. A... Read More
Picnic Baskets for Two
Picnic baskets for two provide an intimate way to celebrate... Read More
Entryway Benches - Why Theyre a Must Have in Every Home
One of the easiest ways to leave a lasting, warm... Read More
Resourceful Redecorating - Budget Friendly Home Decorating
Spring is here and for many of us it's the... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating |