Granite is a popular choice as a countertop because of its durability and beauty, but not all granite is of the same quality. There are many factors that determine the quality for use as a countertop. In order to choose a piece of granite that will withstand the test of time, you need to know how to decipher which granite is worthy of being in your kitchen.
Things you'll need: sample granite slab, measuring tape, sample piece of granite, lemon juice, acetone, white cloth, coin.
Instructions
1. Check for cracks in the slab of granite. Even small cracks can make a granite countertop more prone to breaking during and after installation. Cracks are a sign of poor-quality granite, so you'll want to choose a piece of with as few fractures as possible.
2. Observe the number of pits there are in the granite slab and how big each cavity is. A low-quality piece of granite will have more holes and larger holes than a high-quality granite.
3. Ensure the granite is the same depth throughout the slab. High-quality granite should have unchanged thickness throughout the entire slab. Measure the depth of the granite every 8 to 12 inches to ensure consistency.
4. Drop lemon juice onto a sample piece of granite and observe how quickly the lemon juice is absorbed. The slower the lemon juice is absorbed, the less sealing the granite will need. High-quality granite countertops are less permeable and therefore, require less maintenance.
5. Rub acetone onto a piece of granite using a white cloth. This will determine whether black granite countertops have been dyed. If the black of the granite is transferred to the white cloth, the granite will slowly fade in color. This indicates a low-quality granite that should not be purchased.
6. Scrape a coin over the piece of granite and check for scratches in the polish. If they appear, then the granite has not been given a quality polishing and will continue to scratch with normal use. A quality polishing job should withstand everyday use without scratching.
Tips & Warnings
1. Perform all steps before purchasing your granite countertops to avoid having to deal with returns.
2. Avoid handling pieces of heavy granite by yourself, as dropping or straining could cause injury.
