Granite CounterTops - Information, Design

Granite has a medium to coarse texture, occasionally with some individual crystals larger than the groundmass forming a rock known as porphyry. This makes granite countertops an excellent choice. Granites can be pink to dark gray or even black, depending on their chemistry and mineralogy. Outcrops of granite tend to form tors, and rounded massifs. Granites sometimes occur in circular depressions surrounded by a range of hills, formed by the metamorphic aureole or hornfels.

CounterTop Business magazine provides extensive information regarding countertop trends, countertop design, and recycled countertop material.

The optical and physical properties of glass make it suitable for applications such as glass countertops.

Concrete Countertops are gaining popularity. Concrete is a construction material composed of cement as well as other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate, water, and chemical admixtures.

Marble is a nonfoliated metamorphic rock resulting from the metamorphism of limestone, composed mostly of calcite. It is extensively used for sculptures and now it's used quite often in the kitchen. Marble countertops add both a beautiful and classy look to any kitchen.

Recycled countertops are made from things like paper, reclaimed wood, recycled cans, recycled plastic, recycled toilets, and recycled glass.

What homeowners want now is an easy to clean, low maintenance, green environmentally friendly home. With Granite Shield's sealing process you will never have to seal your granite again. With Granite Shield's sealing process only 3 oz. of each chemical used in the process is required for an average sized granite countertop (60 sq. ft.) The application only takes approximately 1 to 2 hours and it's ready to use immediately. It can be applied to new granite from the fabricator or to existing granite countertops. [Read more]

Read more granite countertop articles.

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Green Building Elements is addressing the issue of radon in granite countertops, yet again. You can read the article here, but I also suggest the following articles as additional research:

Developments in Granite Countertops

Certified Safe Surface - Granite Countertops

Trends: West Coast Builders

The Milano Collection from Wilsonart is a granite-look laminate for countertops that provides the crystallized fissures, pits and grainy structure found in natural polished stone. It has an authentic look and feel, but the pits and fissures are shallow to ensure that they don't harbor dirt and debris.

Read more: Laminate Countertop that Looks Like Granite

CounterTop Business is a free digital magazine that focuses on laminate countertops, solid surface countertops, cultured stone countertops, granite countertops, concrete countertops, tile countertops, and other countertop materials.

CounterTop Business also provides an extensive database of articles related to the tools and products used to design and fabricate countertops.

This digital magazine is for anyone involved in the specification, sale, fabrication and installation of countertops. It is delivered to readers via e-mail, in an advanced format that does not require extra software to read.

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Laminate Countertops
Well known by trade names such as Formica®, these countertops have stood the test of time. New innovations make for a broad range of colors and patterns and more recently, the addition of textures.

Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface is basically a plastic but that's where the blandness ends. Many styles and colors are available and the seamless characteristics work well for expansive countertops and integral sinks.

Natural Stone Countertops
Granite, slate, soapstone, quartz, marble, gemstone... . Natural stone has an inherent beauty but there is some maintenance involved in keeping them 'healthy'.

Engineered Stone Countertops
Predominantly a quartz material that's been crushed and combined with resins to form a hard surface like stone, but without the maintenance requirements like periodic sealing. Some of the colors and patterns do a pretty good job of mimicking natural stone.

Wood Countertops
Wood countertops no longer mean just butcher block. Large full-expanse wood kitchen countertops are available and offer a beautiful warm look. There is some maintenance involved to keep them looking good however.

Metal Countertops
Stainless steel is probably more widely known but if that's too clinical for you, picture your kitchen countertops in the rich color of copper, which gain a unique patina over time. Or consider the interesting gray pallet of pewter countertops.

Concrete Countertops
Concrete offers endless design options since they're fabricated to your specifications, either right in your home or in a design studio and then shipped to your kitchen. Concrete offers a smooth surface in just about any color along with a stoutness that embodies solidity.

Composite and Recycled Materials Countertops
Composite and recycled materials deliver some interesting alternatives for kitchen countertops. Some are made from recycled paper and combined with resins to form a surface that's hard yet warmer than stone. The eco-friendly nature of these choices may also give you the satisfaction of having helped the environment.

Lavastone Countertops
Lavastone is volcanic lava that's hardened into a stone-like consistency. Most Lavastone countertop material is covered with a hard enamel that makes the surface similar to tile, except you don't have to deal with grout lines like you do with a tile countertop. It can be expensive but you have a virtually unlimited supply of colors.

Tile Countertops
Tile's another choice that's been available for years but you're not limited to just the basic 4-inch squares anymore. Natural stone tiles like granite are available and come in large sizes which means you could have a granite countertop with just a few grout lines for less cost than a granite slab.

Glass Countertops
Glass offers a sleek, modern style that doesn't have to look like a bland glass tabletop. You can find various colors and different textures to give it some distinction. Glass countertops are sturdy enough to stand up to their role however you'll still want to be sure you avoid dropping something large and heavy on them.

Need more kitchen remodeling ideas? Looking for great bathroom remodeling ideas? Read our countertop magazine.

Granite has recently become the material of choice for homeowners remodeling their kitchens. Granite is both durable and beautiful, but it requires regular maintenance and comes in a limited number of colors. Read here about using granite in kitchens, why so many people are choosing it, and how it might have a place in your new kitchen.

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Looking for more information on countertops? Click one of these links: Countertop Trends, Laminate Countertops, Recycled Countertops, Concrete Countertops, Metal Countertops, Glass Countertops, Engineered Stone Countertops, Countertop Fabrication, Countertop Guide

Are you looking for information on granite countertops? Need a great resource for marble countertops?

CounterTop Business is a digital magazine that focuses exclusively and entirely on the $7 billion countertop industry. Our digital magazine and new companion Web site, CounterTopBusiness.com, is for anyone involved in the specification, sale, fabrication, and installation of countertops.

Learn more about granite countertops and marble countertops today. Visit CounterTopBusiness.com

Our target market includes architects, designers, builders, specifiers, and fabricators. The digital publication is currently delivered via e-mail to over 25,000 readers each month. CounterTop Business is an excellent source of information and is the premiere resource for what's hot in the countertop industry: laminate countertops, solid surface countertops, cultured stone countertops, granite countertops, concrete countertops, tile countertops, marble countertops, paper countertops, glass countertops, green countertops, and other materials.

On our new companion website, CounterTopBusiness.com, you will find material information, fabrication tips, and the latest business intelligence for the growing countertop industry. Join the CounterTopBusiness.com community and meet other professionals in our discussion forum. View industry related videos and download free white papers.

tags: granite countertops, marble countertops

Countertop Design

Green Countertops

Granite Countertops

Marble Countertops

Eco Friendly Countertops

Stone Countertops

Concrete Countertops

Glass Countertops

Paper Countertops

Tile Countertops

Laminate Countertops

Solid Surface Countertops

Countertop Materials

Consumers are still clamoring for granite, smooth, polished granite. In this residence in the Adirondack region, the plan was to go with a natural slab sawn to fit the rustic décor of a beautiful log structure. Designed by architect Nick Sajda of Roger Bartels Architects LLC in South Norwalk, Conn., the home has multiple stone fireplaces, a stone wet bar and stone vanities that incorporate oversized stone, creating one-of-a-kind spaces.

Read more: Rustic granite countertops