The quality of a granite slab depends on its origin, presence of soft minerals, color, porosity, and thickness. Most homeowners are no experts on granite, just like you. However, there are still a few things you can do to check the actual quality of granite. By learning a few basics, you can even differentiate granite from marble and quartz.
Most people think that the more money they pay, the better granite they can score. However, that is not always the case. In reality, the price tag on the granite slab has nothing to do with its grade. For the best materials to incorporate into your home, you can find quartz calacatta from Granite au Sommet.
How to know if granite is of good quality
- Thickness.
Granite is extracted from below the Earth. They come out in massive slabs, which are then manufactured and cut into thinner, smaller, and more manageable parts. In order to get more slabs from one part, some manufacturers cut even thinner sections.
The thinner a slab is, the less durable it becomes. Do not buy a granite slab that is less than one inch thick. The thumb rule is that thick granite is more durable than thin granite. A good quality granite countertop should be at least 1 to 1 ¼-inch thick.
- Appearance.
As is obvious, lower-grade granite has more common patterns, colors, and textures. The rarer colors and patterns you seek, the more expensive they get. For example, tan brown granite is very common and thus, does not cost a lot. However, Van Gogh granite can be extremely expensive since it is one of the rarest items.
Aside from the aesthetics, there are other factors to consider. The more cracks, chips, and scratches a slab has, the lesser you would have to pay for it. On the other hand, the smoother the surface is, the higher the price goes.
- Porosity.
Different slabs of granite vary in porosity. Determining porosity is important because it affects whether the granite will fade over time or stay intact. In fact, you can easily test for porosity on your own, even if you are not an expert. Take a lemon and squeeze it on the countertop. See how much time it takes to absorb.
If it absorbs instantly, it means it is very porous and will require regular coats of sealant. If it takes time to absorb, it means it is less porous and can go a long time with a single sealant. You want something that needs less maintenance and attention. After all, you cannot sit at home worrying about your kitchen countertop all the time.
