See what we did there? 😉 If you’re building a new home or starting a remodeling project, countertops are an effective solution to add style and functionality to your space! There are many beautiful material types, colors, and patterns to choose from, which can feel overwhelming at times. Don’t fret! Lakeside Surfaces is here to help. With 30 years of experience in our industry, we’ve worked on countless projects with many material types – and we’ve learned a thing or two along the way.
Stick with us over the next few weeks as we deliver you some handy guides on each of our material types, including, but not limited to: how these surface options are made, what their advantages are, and how to keep them looking beautiful!
We’re going to start with a material that’s as old as time – literally! If the title didn’t give it away already, let’s talk about granite!
Why Choose Granite?
Many Homeowners choose this natural stone surface for its unique and rich beauty. It is a hard surface resistant to scratching and heat – making it a suitable option for custom countertops in your Kitchen or Bathroom. It is not heat-proof, so it is recommended you use trivets to protect the surface from hot pans and pots to prevent discoloration or cracking.
What is Granite?
“Granite” is a generic word for the natural stone types used in these striking surfaces. Additional terms used by Industry professionals include basalt, gneiss, diabase, monzonite, gabbro, pegmatite, syenite, schist, anorthosite, granodiorite, and diorite.
Well-known and well-loved – this natural stone is a suitable option for many kinds of building projects. Granite is an intrusive igneous rock formed by the cooling of molten rock.
This coarse-grained stone consists of quartz, felspars, amphibole minerals, and mica. These mineral components give granite its unique colors and textures.
Those mineral components and the colors they present in granite are:
Amphibole – black or dark green | Biotite – dark brown or black | Feldspar – off-white
Muscovite – metallic gold or yellow | Potassium Feldspar – salmon pink | Quartz – creamy-white
What are some Popular Granite Colors?
There are many granite color options to choose from, and each granite option can sometimes vary greatly from slab to slab. The individuality of granite makes for a one-of-a-kind countertop, unique to your home. Below, we’ll touch on popular granite colors, what you can expect, and granite options within our offerings that fall under each category.
White Granite
White granite is a popular color option on the market that primarily consists of quartz and white feldspar minerals. This granite is ideal for giving your space a crisp, clean, and elegant look. Are you looking for a bit of color? There are plenty of white granite options that include black, grey, blue, and red touches!
White Granite Options We Offer:
Black Granite
Black Granite will add striking contrast to any space, adding edge to modern styles and sophistication to something more classic. Black granite can contain flecks of blue, yellow, and white, which can add a bit of interest and sparkle to your custom granite countertops.
Black Granite Options We Offer:
Brown Granite
If you’re looking for a more earthy tone, consider brown granite for your project. These granites can contain a lush combination of brown, gold, green, and white, giving your space a warm, rich feel.
Brown Granite Options We Offer:
Alternative Finishes:
In addition to the plethora of colors Granite comes in, you may run into alternative finishes as well! At Lakeside Surfaces, we offer two finishes – Polished and Brushed!
One of the most popular finishes, a polished granite surface is achieved through a grinding and buffing process which gives the surface a glossy, slippery finish. This finish brings out the rich color of your granite countertop and its highly polished surface will help protect them from staining when properly maintained.
Unlike polished finishes, brushed finishes are not as glossy and have a textured finish that is silky to the touch. Brushed finishes have little to no sheen and as an added bonus, the texture of this surface can help disguise scratches or imperfections.
Other Granite finishes you might hear tossed around are honed, leathered, flamed, caressed, and bush hammered.
As mentioned previously, since granite is a natural stone, granite can vary from slab to slab. If you’re not into surprises or are particular about what you want your granite to look like – we recommend tagging a slab. All of our granite options are viewable at our supplier, Dwyer Marble and Stone, where you can see larger slabs of our options and tag the slabs you’re interested in for a fee.
How to Care for Granite Countertops:
Something to keep in mind with custom granite countertops is the care required to maintain its beauty and longevity. Granite countertops require annual resealing to prevent oils and stains from soaking into the stone. Most Homeowners find resealing their countertops an easy process that requires little time.
Remember, granite is not heat-proof. It is prone to discoloration if something with extreme heat is placed directly onto its surface. In addition to the risk of discoloration, because granite is a natural stone with unique characteristics, it could contain fissures on its surface or deep within it that could pop and crack when it comes in contact with an extremely hot surface.
To help support Homeowners who purchase surfaces through us, we have compiled a handy guide of approved cleaners and how to test when it’s time to reseal your customer granite countertops.
Ready to get started on the process towards your custom countertops for your next project? Click the link below to get your free estimate.
See our Granite Options in Person!
Visit our 29th Street Inspiration Gallery to see our granite options in larger samples, then jet over to our supplier, Dwyer Marble and Stone just down the road to see them in full slabs! As a bonus, Dwyer has some of our Envi Porcelain and Envi Quartz available in large slabs for your viewing pleasure!
Stay tuned for the next few months as we roll out this series, but in the meantime, check out these other great blogs!
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