Please note that Columbus Granite does not carry all following colors in stock. Feel free to check with us availability before your visit to our store.
Granite Countertops Columbus Ohio
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRANITE COUNTERTOPS
Granite is a very durable natural stone used in the countertops industry. Granite Countertops are still the most popular countertop material option due to several reasons.
We will answer some of the most common questions about granite below.
ARE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS HEAT RESISTANT?
Granite is a volcanic stone, so it is made up of lava flow. This makes granite a heat resistant stone. Please note that some granite, especially more exotic types, may have fillers here and there. Despite the fact that granite is a heat resistant stone itself, certain areas of the countertops may not hold up well for the heat. Therefore, we always recommend that you use a trivet before placing hot pans or pots over granite countertops.
ARE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS SCRATCH RESISTANT?
Granite is a scratch-resistant stone because it is very hard, but it is possible to scratch granite with a harder material such as diamond or another granite.
IS GRANITE CHIP RESISTANT?
Granite is not a chip-resistant material. It is possible to chip the granite (especially edges) by hitting it with hard objects. Columbus Granite recommends slightly rounded edges such as pencil, or quarter round to prevent chipping in the long run.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO REPAIR GRANITE IF CHIPPED, OR STAINED?
Most chips can be repaired by using filler products and buffing. Most stains can be removed by using a stain remover product.
ARE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS THE CHEAPEST COUNTERTOPS OPTION?
Some countertop options such as laminate are cheaper options than granite not only because they are cheaper material but also because it is a lot more labor-intensive to measure and install granite countertops than other countertop options.
Granite used to be a lot more expensive countertop material choice. However, nowadays, it is possible to find granite at affordable prices because the market is more competitive, and it is easier to quarry natural stone with advanced machinery than before.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR GRANITE COUNTERTOPS INSTALLED?
Granite has a very broad price range. It is possible to find granite as low as $40 sq. Ft. and as much as $300 sq. Ft. installed. Average granite is $50-$70 sq. ft. installed
IS GRANITE OR QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS MORE EXPENSIVE?
It depends on which granite and which quartz. Granite prices ranges from $40 to $300, quartz price ranges from $45 to $125 based on the brand and color.
WHAT DETERMINES GRANITE COUNTERTOPS PRICE?
Granite price is determined based on supply and demand. Looking at it from the supply perspective, some stones are naturally rare, causing supply limitations. Some are easily found, so the price is more reasonable. Looking at it from the demand perspective, the demand will be high for the nicer looking stones so that the price will go up for those materials.
WHAT ARE THE COLOR OPTIONS FOR GRANITE COUNTERTOPS?
Granite comes in a variety of different colors from pure black color (Absolute Black) to very light colors (River White) There are thousands of different color options in granite. Some of these colors are unique, so it is not possible to find the same color and pattern later, whereas some that has granite colors such as Uba Tuba are always available in the market.
IS GRANITE THE MOST DURABLE COUNTERTOP MATERIAL?
Granite is a very hard, durable material; however, some light color granite is susceptible to staining.
From the scratching, etching, and heat resistance perspective, it is possible to say that granite is the most durable countertop material. From the staining perspective, it will be fairer to call quartz countertops the most durable countertop material.
IS GRANITE THE MOST DURABLE NATURAL STONE MATERIAL?
It is probably true to call granite the most durable countertop material. Quartzite countertops are also very durable, but they usually come in lighter colors making them more prone to staining. Other natural stone options are all more fragile than granite, such as marble countertops, onyx countertops, and soapstone countertops.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CHOOSE YOUR OWN SLABS FOR GRANITE?
Yes. Columbus Granite stocks actual granite slabs so our customers can view the actual slabs, and choose the specific slabs for their projects.
DOES GRANITE COUNTERTOPS REQUIRE SEALING EVERY YEAR?
Although there are a lot of sealing companies claiming that their sealers do last 5-10-15-20 years, we still recommend that that granite tops are resealed every year or so. It is not possible to set an exact time frame because every granite is not the same, and everybody does not use the same countertops same way.
Some light granite is more porous than most darker colors, so the lighter color granite requires sealing more often than light color granite. Some examples of light color granites are Valley Nevado, River White, Giallo Ornamental, New Caledonia. Some examples of dark color granite are Absolute Black, Volga Blue, Uba Tuba, and Verde Butterfly.
Some people get granite for their vacation house while some other people use it every day for cooking. It is not necessary to reseal granite countertops at a vacation house every year.
Tip: We recommend Miracle 511 Porous Plus Sealer for sealing your countertops.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO FIND A GRANITE THAT LOOKS LIKE MARBLE COUNTERTOPS?
Each natural stone type has its own look. Onyx has that translucent look; marble has the whitest background with very soft gray and gold lines. Granite usually comes in a variety of different colors, with burgundy dots, and more complex color patterns. It is very hard maybe not possible to find a granite that looks like real marble.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON GRANITE APPLICATIONS?
Granite countertops are highly popular for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, bar tops, desktops, tabletops, shower walls, and fireplaces. Smaller size granite pieces (tiles) are also used for flooring and outside applications.
CAN I FABRICATE AND INSTALL MY OWN GRANITE COUNTERTOPS?
Granite is a very hard material, so there is different diamond tooling that is necessary to cut, shape, and polish granite countertops. That is why granite countertops are not considered a DIY project. Some easy pieces such as vanity tops, fireplace surrounds can be installed by general contractors; however, more complex projects such as kitchen countertops need to be fabricated and installed by professionals only.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EDGE OPTIONS FOR GRANITE COUNTERTOPS?
Standard (eased), Pencil, ¼” Round, 3/8″ Round, Half Bullnose, Bevel, Full Bullnose, O’gee, Double O’gee, and miter are some of the edge options for granite countertops. Visit this page to see the edge options.
DOES GRANITE REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING ON REGULAR CABINETS?
Most cabinets are durable enough to receive the granite countertops on them; however, some frame-less cabinets, and some cabinet applications where granite overhangs the base a lot, may still need to be supported. It is not necessary to install plywood on the top of your cabinets to support granite as long as you are using a 3cm (1 ¼”) thick material. Most granite is 3cm on the entire east coast.
Visit the this blog post to get more information about granite support requirements;
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FINISH OPTIONS FOR GRANITE COUNTERTOPS?
The polished finish is the most common finish option for granite countertops. Some other finish options are honed, leathered, satin, and flamed. Read our following post to get more information about the different finish options.
Blog: Countertop Finish Options
WHERE DOES GRANITE COME FROM?
Most granite comes from Brazil and India. Some other countries also have quarries of certain colors.
WHAT IS THE TURN AROUND ON GRANITE COUNTERTOPS?
We usually schedule a measurement appointment within a week from your order. It takes another week to two until installation once the measurements are taken, and details are approved for fabrication. This is true for most projects; however, the turnaround time also depends on the size, location, and complexity of the job.
HOW LONG DOES INSTALLATION TAKE?
Installation takes only one day for most projects, but based on the size and complexity of the job, it may take longer.
HOW TO CLEAN GRANITE COUNTERTOPS
Use mild soap and water to clean granite countertops. For anything stubborn, use Lacquer Thinner. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners.
ARE GRANITE SEAMS VISIBLE?
Granite seams are visible. (unlike solid surface countertops) Seams are required in some projects based on the slab size, and the entrance of the house and where the countertop will be pleased. Most granite size is around 115″ x 70″
IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE SAME GRANITE FOR THE BACK SPLASHES?
Yes, it is possible to use the same granite for backsplashes, whether they are 4-5″ tall or up to your cabinets. The thickness of the granite backsplash material will be the same as the countertops.
WHAT ARE SOME EXTRA CHARGES IN CALCULATING GRANITE PRICE?
Base granite prices will include a flat polish edge, cutting straight lines, measuring, and installing. Cutting holes for sinks, cooktops, cutting extraordinary shapes, using different edge profiles, vertical installations (walls, fireplaces), removal & disposal of existing tops, providing actual sink, and the actual faucet will incur an additional cost. You can always email us a rough drawing and some pictures to obtain a price quote. sales@columbusgranite.com
WILL GRANITE HAVE SURFACE MICRO CRACKS (FISSURES) IN IT?
Most exotic stones have micro-cracks, and dull spots on their surface. We recommend that you carefully check your slab at the layout appointment and before you make your purchase to make sure you are ok with the look and feel of the stone.
WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF GRANITE?
Uniform color patterns are more durable stones than the ones having big color and pattern variation. Darker color granite is more dense (less absorbent) than lighter color granite.
WHAT IS THE INSTALLATION WARRANTY ON GRANITE COUNTERTOPS?
Columbus Granite provides a one-year installation warranty on countertop installations.
WHAT IS BETTER GRANITE OR QUARTZ?
They are both very durable materials. Granite resists heat more than quartz, and quartz resists stains more than granite.
DO YOU DO CUSTOM VANITY TOPS?
Here at Columbus Granite, we do not carry any standard size vanity tops such as 37″ vanity top, or 31″ vanity top, however, we are able to make one custom the size you need whether you would like to pick and install, or would like to utilize our installation services. We offer quartz, and granite remnants at affordable prices.
HOW LONG DOES GRANITE LAST?
Granite is already thousands of years old so that it will last a lifetime.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE BEFORE MY GRANITE COUNTERTOPS CAN BE MEASURED?
You need to make sure that all your cabinets and end panels have been installed, leveled and plumbed before we can take measurements. In addition, if you are using a farmhouse style sink, it needs to be installed before measurements. If you are providing your own sink and faucet, and cooktop, we would like to see them on-site to be able to determine the cutouts. We would like to have actual free standing stove or its specifications as well. If you have existing tops, we need everything removed off the counter surface to be able to take measurements. Countertop measurements can be taken while the existing tops are on for most cases. In some rare cases, we may need them removed to be able to take actual measurements.