Granite isn't a stranger to the great state of Minnesota. Two hours west of the Twin Cities sits the town of Granite Falls, where a little digging around will turn up a host of granite mines as well as pyramid shaped granitic gneiss outcroppings that rise out of the Glacial River Warren Valley. While there's no guarantee your granite countertops come from locally quarried stone (granite is shipped in from quarries all over the world), one thing is certain: Minneapolis granite counter tops are hands down one of the most beautiful, durable, and long lasting countertops to be found in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The Cost of Minneapolis Granite Counters
It's no secret that solid slab granite counters in Minneapolis aren't cheap. In fact, granite counter tops in Minneapolis are about as expensive as countertops can get, with costs varying depending on the quality of the stone you purchase, the size of your kitchen or bath, and how intricate you detail your stone. That being said, based on information that ServiceMagic has gleaned from the thousands of service requests we provide Twin Cities homeowners each year, the data indicates that granite counters in Minneapolis-St. Paul can run anywhere between $2,000 and $12,000, with an average cost of about $5,300 per job.
The Benefits of Minneapolis Granite Counters
What makes granite so well-suited for use as a countertop material? It's a complicated geologic recipe that involves slow cooling magma, the crushing pressure of the earth's crust, and a few hundred million years in the oven (at least). The result is one of the densest, most beautiful stones known to man, both qualities that homeowners across the Twin Cities are looking for when it comes to countertops. Here are a few reasons why granite wins the blue ribbon just about every year when it comes to countertops in Minneapolis.
Maintaining Minneapolis Granite Counters
Minneapolis Granite Counters: Installation
For the most part, maintaining granite counter tops is limited to wiping them down every once in a while. In fact, the term "maintenance free" is thrown around quite a bit with granite countertop materials, and the only thing you really need to worry about is spilling highly acidic liquids on your granite counters, such as citrus juices, vinegar, and wine. If you wipe up these spills right away, you'll never have a problem. Let them sit for a while, however, and they can etch the stone. That's why many installers will recommend that you apply a sealer to your new granite countertops. It's not required, but it does provide your substantial investment with a little extra protection when it's needed.
Installing solid slab granite counters isn't an easy task. First of all, specialized tools are needed that aren't available to your average Joe in order to cut a piece of granite down to size. After that, the heavy weight of solid slabs of granite makes it necessary to have a strong crew in place when it's time for installation. Talking to a contractor who has experience working with solid slab countertops is your best bet if you think granite countertops are the right match for your Twin Cities-area home. 
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.
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