Orlando Granite Counters

The crown jewel of most kitchen remodels, your new counter can and should dramatically enhance the look and function of your kitchen. If you've been laboring with that old laminate counter with stains that simply won't come out, it may be time to start planning a new Orlando granite counter installation. From Oviedo to Saint Cloud to Leesburg and throughout the greater Orlando area, we've helped homeowners find the right contractor for all their countertop and kitchen and bathroom remodeling needs. Our system of prescreened contractors and customer ratings and reviews offers you tools for selecting contractors that aren't available anywhere else. Here are a few inside tips before you get started selecting your new countertop.

Homeowner Questions about Granite Countertops in Orlando, FL
Many homeowners have heard that granite countertops are unsafe and radioactive. Others have the perception of granite as the best material countertops have to offer. Interestingly, not only are both of them misleading, but these misconceptions are interconnected. In the crazy demand for granite countertops, some miners and suppliers of granite became lax with basic safety standards and sold granite that was emitting a questionable amount of radon. Admittedly, radon-emitting radioactive material can be embedded in granite, just as it can in shale and other stone that is fabricated into countertops. That said, any respectable stone countertop supplier will have tested for radon. You should have your home tested for radon at regular intervals, anyway, as radon can enter your home through cracks in your foundation, your water pipes, and the joints in your walls.

At the same time, it's questionable to call granite the king of countertops. Most engineered stone countertops offer superior strength and won't be susceptible to staining of any kind. Concrete is another great alternative. Although it's hard to argue against the look and grain of natural granite, concrete can be fashioned into any number of looks, including a great approximation of granite. Sure, you can't substitute granite with laminate or even most forms of solid-surface counters, but granite is far from the end-all, be-all of countertop materials.

Understanding Granite Counters in Orlando, FL
Naturally, granite isn't simply shipped from a quarry straight to your home, but few homeowners appreciate just how long and involved the trek of a granite slab can be. Granite is first shipped to a granite distributor who, in turn, will sell individual slabs to granite fabricators. These fabricators then sculpt, prepare, and finish the granite to the exact specifications for your countertop. Then, the counter is shipped to your home for installation. In terms of the quality of your granite, radon isn't the only thing you should be concerned about. Different sections of a granite quarry will yield different textures and different densities. Generally speaking, a granite supplier will test each section of their quarry. Discounted granite will come from the top layers, where the stone isn't as strong or durable.

The Cost of Orlando Granite Counters
The cost of granite counters ranges all over. We've seen homeowners spend more than $10,000 on just their kitchen counter, while one homeowner got a small granite counter made from remnants for just more than $1,000. Our data suggests, on average, your granite counter will cost about $5,000. By comparison, many solid surface products can cost nearly the same price, although laminate isn't nearly as expensive. Along with the size of your project, the quality of the granite, the complexity of the edging, and the cost of labor will affect the final price of the installation.

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