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Now is a great time to consider remodeling a home. This is because the demand for labor and materials is slowly increasing the price of remodeling jobs. Homeowners should install granite countertops in their kitchens and bathrooms while the stone is still moderately affordable to get the most value out of the renovation. And homeowners should be educated about the characteristics of granite in order to choose the best slab available and not get swindled by overpaying for a mediocre slab.

1. All slabs are slightly different – Different ages, formations locations, and soil compositions all can affect the hardness, color, and composition of a slab. You should always select slabs in person, and not from a picture, so you can see up close what you are actually getting.

2. Blue and red are the rarest granites – Slabs with blue or red are going to be more expensive than those without. Don’t overpay for average sand-colored granite with low crystal composition. It is very common.

3. Granite is one of the hardest substances on the planet – Under normal circumstances, you should not be able to crack or chip your granite except with a diamond. Be careful with diamond rings near the countertop.

4. Granite needs to be sealed – While being very durable and scratch resistant, granite is still slightly permeable to moisture unless it is sealed. Ideally, this should be done once a year to keep the seal intact. A properly sealed countertop will cause water to bead in droplets on the surface. When moisture spreads rapidly or begins absorbing, you know the seal is gone. Reseal it immediately.

5. Granite is slightly radioactive – More of a fun fact than anything, but this is worth mentioning because, while true, it is often blown out of proportion. Granite does emit an extremely small amount of radon, but don’t let this scare you. The amount emitted by granite is less than that of common garden soil. Mostly the fear aroused by radioactive countertops is not based in fact. Granite is a perfectly safe substance for your home and for preparing your food on.

We hope you enjoyed learning a few new things about Granite countertops, and we hope to hear from you about your kitchen or bathroom remodel. At Amanzi, we deliver and install granite countertops anywhere in North Carolina including Asheville, Wilmington, and Raleigh. We even go as far as Southern Virginia and parts of South Carolina. So there is nothing standing in your way of beautiful, timeless and quality granite countertops in your home!

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