5 Reasons to Choose Granite when Remodeling

Remodeling your kitchen is not only a huge investment it is also full of choices and decisions to be made.  If you are thinking about, debating or just curious about having granite in your kitchen this blog is for you.

1. Value

Many homeowners who are considering a kitchen remodel may think that granite is too pricey. When you consider its value over time, however, the extra cost is usually worth it.

By adding granite countertops to your kitchen, you are not only improving that space, but you are also adding value to your whole home. Granite will also never depreciate in value, so your investment now will payoff in the long run.

2. Appearance

Granite is a natural occurrence of interlocking mineral crystals of usually feldspar and quartz that is mined from the earth in large slabs. These slabs are then cut and polished until they are ready to shine in your new kitchen.

Coming from nature, there are no two slabs of granite that look exactly the same. Installing granite countertops means that your kitchen will have a luminous look that is unique to your home.

3. Cleanliness

A polished granite countertop is a thing of beauty and also has the benefit of being resistant to bacterial contamination. With granite countertops you can prepare food without worry. If something does get on the countertops you can easily clean them with a little bit of warm water mixed with detergent.

4. Strength

In addition to being strong against bacteria, granite is also strong against heat and abrasions. Granite is formed underground in a process that involves extreme heat and pressure. This makes granite countertops resistant to any damage from placing a hot pan or pot directly on the counter surface. With granite, your counters will also be resistant to scratches and chips, but be careful of any powerful direct contact (such as from a meat cleaver).

5. Stain Resistance

The kitchen can be a messy place and accidents do happen, that’s why you want a countertop that will be resistant to stains. Granite is naturally moisture-resistant and is less likely to stain than some other popular counter materials, but it is a porous rock and, if not treated correctly, will also stain.

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.

Cleaning Granite Countertops: Proper Cleaning Techniques and Advice

For those of you who have the luxury of owning your own granite countertops, you realize and cherish the value of owning a material that is gorgeous, but also effective. Granite is not just used as eye candy, but functions as a heat and scratch resistant countertop and a fairly easy maintenance process.

Maintenance and safe cleaning techniques is very important for any type of countertop, but there are different techniques and methods for every surface material. Granite is a surface that is easy to clean, but requires special care.

 

Detecting dirt and grime on granite countertops is not necessarily an easy task. Make sure to check your countertops first by swiping your hand or a microfiber towel over the surface. We prefer a microfiber towel because they catch dirt and other materials more effectively than paper towels.

Next, apply a ph-balanced cleaner which will reduce streaking and leave a nice polished top. A water and soap combination will work well also, but will leave more streaks and won’t give off a more clear & polished look compared to a ph-based counter cleaner.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Refrain from using window cleaners or bleach on your granite countertops! They have been known to harm sealant and can cause damage to your countertop.

Finally, wipe down the rest of your counters with your microfiber towel and let it dry for a few minutes and your countertops will be open for service.

Following these simple, easy steps will ensure maximum cleanliness and leave your countertops shiny and streak free!

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.

"I love my new kitchen"

We recently completed a project for Sandra Kastanek and loved what she had to say about our services.
"When we decided to have a center island made for the kitchen in our home, we did a lot of researching and discussed our needs and options with several different companies.  The one definite thing we wanted was granite. After plenty of searching we finally spoke to Jeff Burg with Granite Services LLC.  I knew instantly that this was the company I wanted to work with.  Jeff's pricing was the best and the quality of his product was better than all of his competitors.
My order was custom but that was no problem for Granite Services.  I wanted an all in one price that was promised not to change.  Not only was Jeff's price better than everyone else, but he stuck to that price and made sure to take care of all minor changes and questions while delivering a beautiful, high quality product.
The quality of Granite Services products is superb, the prices are great and Jeff is as honest as the day is long.  I am more than satisfied with the service I was provided, they went above and beyond to assure my happiness with the final product.  I love my new kitchen." Sandra Kastanek

Built Upon Hard Work & Dedication

At the time that Granite Services was founded in 2002, all that Jeff Burg had in front of him was a hard work ethic, dedication, and a strong vision of what was to come. Things really got moving for Jeff when he leased a building in 2004. His business was built gradually over time, with Jeff purchasing items only as he could afford them, keeping Granite Services completely debt free. 

One way of keeping Jeff debt free was making things instead of buying them. These items, such as sawhorses, dollies, rails that the stone sits on, display racks and the backsplash table, were all built by Jeff and are still in use at Granite Services today. 

Equipment was purchased as the company grew such as a Pro Edge for $125,000, a saw (a road trip was made to Beaumont, Texas to pick it up) for $70,000, a CNC for $70,000 and many other things such as hand tools totaling $1,000 per month. All equipment was set up by Jeff himself.

On July 18th, 2009, Jeff 

purchased the building that Granite Services currently operates out of for $500,000. He only had to borrow $300,000. This summer will mark their 4th year in the building which Jeff is very proud of. 

Jeff Burg has over 15 years of experience in the granite industry and personally field measures every project to ensure the specifications are done precisely to meet customer's needs. With the help of Jeff's son, Anthony, and granite artist, Jason, there is no doubt that Granite Services will continue to produce the high quality fabrications and installation of beautiful granite countertops, islands, vanities  bar tops, fireplaces, tables, tub surrounds, and more that they have become known for.

Give Granite Services a call at (320) 363-4640 to see the amazing work we can do for you! 

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