The value of Granite Countertops

 

 

Granite is the #1 choice for residential and commercial installations. Granite offers an elusive, unique beauty created only in nature. It adds character and warmth to kitchens, baths and other areas of the home with a richness that cannot be duplicated by synthetic materials.

Choosing granite not only gives your kitchen and bath timeless performance and beauty, but increases the value of your home.

 

 

The value and benefits of a granite countertop long outlasts all other countertop material.

 

The sunlight dances off the small crystals and changes the appearance of your stone throughout the day.

You will still admire the beauty of your natural stone ten years down the road.

Granite countertops are very affordable.

Each and every granite stone is unique.

Granite counter tops are beautiful.

Comfortable in any decor.

It is impossible to duplicate the true beauty of granite.

There are hundreds of color choices.

Many different patterns... veins, specks, and swirls.

Granite is colored all the way through.

This natural stone is readily available.

It's easy to clean.

Granite is a sanitary countertop material.
It does not harbor bacteria.

Granite can usually be repaired if it's damaged.

It's not a trend.

Kid Friendly.

It is strong.

Granite is hard to scratch.

You can cut on it.

It's a hard stone to polish and finish. It's even harder to wear off the polished finish.

Hot items such as griddles, fryers, and toaster ovens won't burn or leave char marks on your granite countertop.

The cool surface of the stone is perfect for rolling out candy or dough.

If you don't like the cool surface, put in a radiant heating system beneath the granite.

Granite is durable, it will last your lifetime and more.

Granite is a siliceous stone and not highly susceptible to damage from acids.

Not all granites need to be sealed.

Sealing granite is simple. It's similar to waxing your car.

Granite can have arches, curves, and 90 degree angles.

Your property value will increase.

Granite is used on the interior or the exterior of your home and business.

 

Southwest Granite

Quartz or Quartzite... What one would you choose?

You love the look of Quartz and Quartzite, but do you know the difference between the two?

Quartz and Quartzite are hard surface materials used for countertops

 in both residential and commercial installations.  

Quartzite                                            

This is an amazing material. It is naturally strong, resists heat and is hard to stain. Quartzite is formed from sandstone and quartz together under a great deal of heat and pressure. The empty grains of sandstone are filled with quartz. This process makes quartzite harder than quartz. On the Mohs scale of hardness (1-10), with 10 the hardest, granite measures between 6 and 6.5; whereas quartzite measures around 7.

However, there is a chance for etching to occur on its surface. Quartzite is considered an exceptional material for use in countertops. This can be literally found all over the world, as it is a very common material formed in the crust of the earth. 

Quartz

This rock begins as the raw material for engineered stone. Added to it are resins, some binding agents and occasionally pigments, which then turns into an amazing surface for your quartz countertops. This tends to be a bit stronger than quartzite and is not likely to etch. This, too, is able to withstand high temperatures, up to about 300 degrees F. 

Quartzite Island - home installation

Quartz countertop - commercial installation

Click here for more information on Quartzite.

Click here for more information on Quartz.

Southwest Granite

951-296-6600

Granite counter with Chiseled Edge

Chiseled Edge

This is an edge you don't see everywhere but it sure is stunning! Chiseled edge is one of the many edges available to finish your granite installation. We recommend this for outdoor kitchens and bbqs and also for indoor beverage/wine bars and fireplace. Lets not forget how nice this edge looks in a kitchen, bath or laundry room or for a desk/table tops.

The Chiseled edged is rough and looks like a naturally broken piece of granite.

Perhaps the most natural or rustic edge is chiseled. However it can have a crisp sharp look when paired with contemporary or modern design.

Below is a custom beveled edge, it has a chiseled edge and smooth edge. You can see the chiseled edge has some polishing done to smooth out the rough spots and also to help blend with the edge that is not chiseled. 

Call us for more information on Chiseled Edge Granite!

www.Southwest-Granite.com

Fun Facts. Did you know that Granite....

• Granite is one of the most highly sought after rock for rock climbing because it is very strong
• Marbles have been made of round stones, clay balls, marble, porcelain, glass and steel
• Granite is the signature rock of planet earth 
• New Hampshire is known as the granite state
• Limestone can be used to thicken paint
• The stones used in the sport of curling are made from granite
• Marble derives from limestone or dolomite
• There are over 700 different types of igneous rocks
• Did you know slate can stand up to freezing weather
• Marble can sometimes be a host rock for gem minerals
• You can find limestone in shallow ends of marine waters
• The pedestal the Statue of Liberty stands on is made from granite
• Brown stone was used in the Civil War to build homes in some places
• Diorite is a coarse grained rock that has a salt and pepper appearance 
• The first commercial railroad in the U.S. was the “Granite Railway” of Quincy, MA. 
• There is granite in Australia that is believed to be over 4 billion years old 
• If you use high amounts of heat and pressure on limestone it turns into metamorphic rock
• Slate can be used in a variety of uses like flooring, roofing
• Granite is strong because its mineral grains formed tightly together during a very slow cooling period.
• Sedimentary rocks are made from eroded pieces of other rocks or even remains of plants and animals
• Until the 1800's slate was used by students at school. They wrote with a "slate" pencil

Southwest-Granite.com    http://www.imarbles.com/historyofmarbles.php