Granite is one of the most sought after countertop materials today. Granite countertops are not only durable, but beautiful and virtually maintenance free. In addition, the investment that you make in your granite countertops will be well worth it because they will last a lifetime. When purchasing granite, many people don’t know the options available to them. As a result, many first time buyers don’t know how to decide between full granite slabs or half granite slabs.
Many people feel that granite is just a trend and something new will take center stage. Designers and home builders feel differently and think that granite countertops are here to stay! Why? Because granite is timeless! It melds with any décor style meaning that granite countertops can remain a staple in your design while the interior of your home changes as your taste does.
Since your granite countertop is going to be with you for decades to come, it is important that you really take time when making your granite selection. There are several tips that can make this less intimidating while ensuring that you are making the right decision.
Full Granite Slab vs Half Granite Slab – ALWAYS Choose the Whole Slab!
The tiny samples of granite that you can pick up from some local distributors are great when you are trying to get to a starting point. But, after you have narrowed your selections down to two or three options, you really need to see whole slabs to make the final decision.
You will be surprised how different an entire slab of granite will look next to your small sample. Without seeing the entire slab of granite, you really cannot get a sense of how muted or busy the pattern is. Some people really love an active granite countertop because it is the focal point of their kitchen. Others want a more muted pattern if the rest of their décor has a lot of movement and momentum.
How to Manage Inclusions and Other Pattern Variations.
Because granite is a naturally occurring material you will need to understand that there will be flaws.
Inclusions are typically an area within the slab where foreign rock and other materials have been enmeshed into the granite. This will merely create an area of the granite that can look completely different from the rest.
This can also be said for pockets of color variation. The expanses can be completely different in tone and hue or simply much darker versions of the original color of the granite.
Inclusions and other color variations can be embraced as a natural characteristic of granite. Part of the allure of granite is that no two pieces are alike.
However, if you find that these “abnormalities” are a nuisance your fabricator can often find ways to work around them.
Accurate Color.
When choosing between a full granite slab or a half granite slab, one of the main reasons to go for the full is the fact that only a full slab of granite will give you the correct shade of color. As a piece of granite expands the foundation of colors start to shine through.
Since granite countertops do come in some dramatic but naturally occurring colors like blue, green, red, and yellow, seeing the entire slab in person will show you to what extent these colors are present.
When looking at a small sample the foundation colors will appear more subdued.
Taking these tips into consideration during your granite countertop selection process can help give you piece of mind that you’re a choosing the right slab.
Visit Granite Liquidators today where you can walk our yard and see some of the most beautiful slabs of granite that are available for you to take home today!