Top 10 Granite Countertop Colors of 2013

Are you looking to buy low price, but trendy and cheap granite countertops? This list may help you determine what color granite to use in your own kitchen and vanity countertop project. This list has been compiled based on sales and product inquires received during 2013.

                                                                1. Brazil Black

2. Tan Brown - Chestnut Granite

3. Dakota Mahogany

4. Labrador Green - Ubatuba

5. Mahogany Blue

6. Opalescence - Indian Black Pearl

7. Cecilia Classic

8. Tropical Brown

9. Tropical Green

10. Verde Butterfly - Butterfly Green

These colors were great for 2013 and are sure to be a hit this year as well. We can't wait to see what the granite color trends will be this year!

Contact Granite Services LLC today to make your home trendy with these great granite top colors.

Sealed Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are a hot commodity for any house or business. They bring a level of elegance and beauty unparalleled to any other substance, yet there are a few things every homeowner and business owner should keep in mind when implementing new granite countertops.

Having sealed granite countertops is something everyone should invest in. Due to granite’s porous structure, countertops that are unsealed are vulnerable to permanent staining and scorning. This is especially true for colored liquids, oil, fat, and grease which can cause permanent discoloration.

Looking to replace stained or scorned granite can be very time consuming and expensive which can all be avoided by a proper sealing.

Although, some counters do not necessarily need to be sealed, it’s always a good decision to make anyways in order to reduce the possibility of something unfortunate happening.

Granite sealers can be purchased at any local department store and can range anywhere from $10-$25. Next, be sure to properly clean your countertops before applying the sealer and wait for the surface to be completely dry before applying.

Once applied, most cleaners take a good 6 plus hours before being officially sealed and ready for operation. Make sure to read the instructions on the can because some cleaners can have different time frames.

So, how do you know if your countertops are sealed correctly? Any liquid spilled on the surface of your countertop should immediately “bead up” restricting any liquid from seeping in the granite itself.

Properly sealed granite can last for years and rid owners the worry of any permanent staining, scorning, or discoloration. It’s an exceptionally cheap solution which can prevent a very expensive problem.

Granite Countertop Colors and Patterns: How to Choose the Right Granite for Your Kitchen

The benefits of installing granite countertops are endless and will enhance the beauty of any kitchen, but this is only true if the right color and pattern is picked to complement your kitchen.

There is a wide array of granite countertop colors, color variations, and patterns available for every homeowner. However, this can be very overwhelming for some individuals, which can result in a color or pattern that doesn’t fit well with their kitchen.

There are a few questions you should have answered before choosing your new countertops:

· What is the color of the cabinets?

· How large is the kitchen?

· What is the color of the walls?

· How much natural light does the kitchen get?

· What type of flooring is in the kitchen

You want something that will complement the color and style of your cabinets, as well as your kitchen walls and flooring. If you have a larger kitchen, something dark will make your kitchen look smaller and the opposite is noted for light colored granite. Natural light is also very important; the more light your kitchen has, the more options for colors. If you choose a dark colored granite for a kitchen that has little or no light, it can result in a drab and dreary look.

If you’re not sure on a color or pattern that’s right for you, picking a neutral color like beige or brown is always a safe bet. Black is also another color that usually goes well with any kitchen arrangement, giving off a sophisticated and classy look.

If you’re really not confident or want to make sure you make the “best” choice for your new granite kitchen countertop, expert advice can be obtained by simply consulting your granite installation service or manufacturer.

Background and History of St. Cloud Stonecutters

During the mass emigration from Europe to America in the late 1800’s sparked a huge wave of people with niche skills and trades that they possessed. One thing that was mandatory at Ellis Island was that every (mostly male) immigrant had to disclose what trade or skill they possessed when they landed in their new home of America. From past records we can learn that granite stonecutters came mostly from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Great Britain, Scotland, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany. 

When President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act in 1862 this helped many European immigrants who did not have very good farm land in their native countries finally have a chance to make a living from the land. This is why many of the granite cutters in the St. Cloud area were of Swedish, Finnish, and Norwegian descent. This act, offered 160 of federal land to anyone who would live on the land and improve the land over the course of five years. Then, they could sign a free and clear release deed on the property. This was huge for these immigrants of these nationalities because Minnesota had such good farmland compared to their former home. Many people from these European nations would now come to Minnesota and start their farming, stonecutting, and most importantly, fresh new lives.

These stonecutters were not farmers. Many of their old friends from back home (In their native country) were farmers and kept in touch during their trip to the new land. These farmer friends of the granite cutters were homesteaders. The granite workers had a buffet of quarries to choose from when leaving Ellis Island. They could choose from Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, and of course yours truly, Minnesota. Many of the stonecutters moved directly to St. Cloud, MN! A widely accepted reason for this is because of the large and deep connections with newly European homesteaders and their relationship with the stonecutters from back home.

History Of The Granite City

The “Signature Rock” of the Earth is? You guessed it. Its granite! This is because Mercury, Venus, and Mars all have large amounts of Basalt. This rock is also what covers the Earth’s ocean floor. The reason for the name “Granite” is because of the Latin word “Granum”. Granite contains many large mineral grains to compose the rock of granite. Granite has many colors to choose from including black, pink, blue, grey, red, and white. Mostly, granite contains feldspar and quartz. Granite is considered an igneous rock, which means it was very hot, molten and slowly cooled and cooled over millions of years. Seismic activity over the course time has forced large amounts of granite to be pushed to the surface.

In 1868, the birth of the first St. Cloud Quarry was here. The Breen & Young in East St. Cloud started it and it was in Stearns County right near the county line. The Breen and Young Quarry lasted for about 20 years and experienced very good business. In around 1889, Minnesota Legislation approved the purchase of the 250-acre plot on the east side of St. Cloud for the construction of the St. Cloud Reformatory. The biggest part of this purchase was the St. Cloud Quarry. It was located mostly on the north end of the 250-acre lot. Since the quarry was very valuable for many reasons, the state kept the quarry to keep the prisoners busy and they would in turn mine for granite. They would then use the prisoners to eventually build the prison just outside of St. Cloud.

Photo Courtesy: Stearns County Museum Archives, MN Department Of Corrections