As amazing and beautiful as granite countertops in Denver can be, just like anything, it can have some imperfections. Because it is a natural stone, many of these flaws occur during the creation process. Other flaws can signify that a slab is low quality. Since the investment into granite can be substantial depending on the look you are going for, you want to make sure that you know what to look for and how to tell you are getting a superior slab.
Variations in Color:
When it comes to color differences, there are two main instances in which you may notice indiscrepancies. The first case is when you are purchasing more that one slab of the same color and style of granite. As previously mentioned, because granite is a one hundred percent naturally occurring product, no two slabs of granite will be the same in tone and color. If you are purchasing from a reputable granite distributor, slabs of granite within the same bunk should be “bookmarked” to get you the closest match. If this is not the case, it will be virtually impossible to get a match close enough that any differences will be minimal enough that it should not matter.
The next situation in which color discrepancies can appear is when you are looking at a slab of imitation stone. This means that someone has applied paint or other products to alter the stones appearance in some way. Steer completely away from these slabs.
Cracks and Fissures:
Although they are similar, there is a difference between a crack and a fissure. Fissures are NOT considered a defect and happen during the creation process. Fissures are essentially naturally occurring cracks. Often you cannot even see them, but can feel them by sliding your hand over the surface of the slab. If they are visible, they look like small lines that may have some color variation. Fissures do not affect the integrity of the slab because they are primarily superficial.
Cracks on the other hand are considered defects. They are basically an open fissure that can go completely through the depth of the slab. This means there is increased weakness in the slab and the risk of complete breakage.
Quarries and fabricators will often fill fissures with epoxy or resin, but they will still be visible. To keep an even and smooth surface, the epoxy or resin will be applied over the entire slab.
Keep in mind that cracks can be tended to. They may not completely go away, but they can be smoothed and reinforced. This can be a do it yourself job, but it is better done by the fabricator that installed your granite.
Granite is Porous:
Looks can be deceiving. Although granite countertops in Denver have a relatively smooth surface, they do have tiny pores and pits that can be stained by things like wine and other liquids. It is always recommended that granite is sealed no matter what type that it is. This will eliminate any risk to damage and staining. Lower level granite will be more susceptible to staining because it has more pores pits.
One thing to be cautious of when purchasing granite, is to be aware that some distributors will take lower level slabs and spray them with wax or other shining products to cover pores and pits. One way to identify this is by looking at the edges of the granite. If you see poorly cut slabs with rough and jagged edges that have “spill-over” from an applied product you may want to move to another type of granite.
These are the main issues that you will come across when buying granite. By being knowledgeable and aware you should prevent any disappointment at the time of installation. Do not be afraid to point these out when working with a distributor. This will ensure that you get the granite that you want! Are you looking to purchase some granite countertops in Denver? Our team of specialists can help you find a stone from our large stone yard. Reach out today! If you don’t find what you are looking for, we can still help you find what you need!