Whether you are a homeowner or residential or commercial builder, the benefits of granite or marble counter tops are tremendous.  The popularity of granite or marble throughout the world has grown tremendously over the last decade – and for good reasons!  This is by no means an exhaustive list because there are so many benefits.  One thing is sure:  whether you are a homeowner looking to renovate, you are having your home built and are considering natural stone countertops, or you are a builder providing a quality home or office, granite and marble provide more “bang for the buck” than any other countertop in the world.

1. Beauty.  Granite has an innate beauty.  There really is nothing like the beauty of a granite counter top.  The splendor of the colors and textures are amazing.  You can choose any number of patterns regardless of the colors in your kitchen, bathroom, bar or other areas of the house that you wish to install granite.  Whether your appliances are silver, white or black, no matter what your cabinets look like, the selection of colors and shades are so vast that it is no problem to find one you will love. 

2. Uniqueness.  Every piece of granite is unique.  Granite is like a fingerprint; even though the overall look may be the same, every slab or granite has unique shades and patterns.  This provides a rich and distinctive look to your living space unlike anyone else’s.

3. Financial return.  Granite and marble alike add tremendous value to your home.  Sometimes the value goes beyond money because, let’s face it, most of the time a woman falls in love with a home because of the kitchen.  It is hard to put a price on that.  Natural stone is not cheap, but studies have shown that they do increase the value of your home. 

4. Durability.  Let’s be honest, kitchens and bathrooms are not the most gentle places of a home or commercial building.  Hot pots and pans are being thrown around and placed on counter tops all the time.  Knives are used, cutting through that sandwich or tomato – right into the counter.  The durability of granite or marble is unparalleled.   Other counter spaces like laminate, ceramic tile and wood are more affordable but bring much less value and more importantly their durability is less appealing because they are subject to burning, staining, cracking and more. Maintain your granite as suggested and it will be resistant to discoloring and staining to give you an amazing and unique shine for a lifetime.

Q. Does granite have to be sealed, and how often?
A. Yes. All Granite must be sealed once per year.

Q. What should I use to clean my countertops?
A. Granite should be cleaned with warm soapy water, if sealed properly.

Q. How often do I clean my countertops?
A. It is recommended to clean countertops as needed.

Q. My granite isn’t as shiny as it once was, what can I do?
A. If your granite doesn’t look like it once did, then it needs to be professionally cleaned, and sealed.

Q. I have a wine, grease stain. How do I get it out?
A. The only way to properly remove a stain is to call Natural Stone Solutions.

Q. Does granite have seams?
A. Most granite countertops have seams. However, seams should be inconspicuous.

1. Quality. Find a quality company who that you are comfortable purchasing from. When a homeowner is looking to renovate their kitchen or bathroom don't make price the only issue. This is an investment. Make sure that the company you are dealing with has 1) a great reputation, 2) customers that you can speak with and 3) quotes that include cutting, custom installation and sealing.

2. Selection. Find a company who has a large selection. Many companies only carry selections from a certain part of the world. You want to buy granite and marble from a company with a wide selection of products from classical, exclusive or even promotional materials so that you can find the perfect fit for your home. Start your search online looking at samples, but you ALWAYS want to visit the stoneyard because as stated above, even though the basic colors are the same, each slab is unique. Granite and Marble Concepts has one of the largest selections in the entire Southeastern United States and you can start a search by clicking here.

3. Service. It probably goes without saying but make sure that you purchase you natural stone from a company that provides excellent customer service.

4. Price. We don't leave this at the bottom because it is the least important. Price is many times the main factor in a purchase. However, it the marble and granite world, quality, service and selection are as important as the price of the purchase. Remember that natural stone is an investment that will bring both financial value and personal appeal value to your home.