Kirkwood, Missouri residents have a special place in their hearts for preserving things of the past. This is evident with how well they have preserved the historic buildings in the town, such as the train station and many of downtown Kirkwood’s buildings. Taking care of the beautiful things of the past shows appreciation for the town’s heritage and gives Kirkwood the character and charm residents and visitors have fallen in love with. Preserving buildings is much easier if quality building materials were used in construction. The same goes for your home. When it comes to the longevity and quality of your home, it will weather the years and last beautifully if quality materials are used in the initial build as well as upgrades. Countertops are no exception. When you are picking new countertops for your home, selecting quality granite countertops is a great choice. Compared to synthetically made countertop, natural stone countertops, if properly cared for, can look stunning for decades.
Skip the laminate, go for granite
Laminate countertops, also known by the product name Formica, were a big deal in the up until the 80’s and 90’s. Before then, granite was expensive and due to harvesting, shipping and cutting costs, out of reach for the average household. However, over the years a few things have decreased the costs in granite slabs making them more affordable. First, up until the 1980’s, marble quarries were not as plentiful throughout the world, the most notable being one in Italy. As granite became trendier however, more countries got into the granite craze making it easier to find. Last, with new developments in technology, efficiency in cutting slabs and shipping costs, the prices in granite dropped dramatically. Soon granite became the number one choice for countertop materials and that statistic is holding true today. Laminate countertops, though inexpensive, have many drawbacks. Here are a few:
- Life of laminate only lasts up to 10 years
- Prone to burning, scratching and scoring
- Can easily chip
- Edges can delaminate over time
- Limited style, thickness and selection
In contrast, granite when properly sealed and taken care of, can last many decades. It comes in a vast variety of colors, styles and choices. Each piece of granite is unique as no two slabs are exactly the same. Homeowners love the uniqueness in each piece and how well it stands up to years of everyday use. Granite countertops from your Kirkwood granite supplier can withstand the heat from hot pans and are also scratch resistant. Although the initial cost upfront is more expensive than laminate, the investment is worth it. Granite adds value to your home and will last many more years than laminate countertops. Granite countertops add an elegance to your kitchen and bathrooms that laminate can never achieve.
Caring for granite is simple
One of the best things about granite is how easy it is to take care of. It can withstand a lot from your daily kitchen routine. It is sturdy and durable, making chipping it unlikely. Though it is slightly porous, sealing it upon installation and then regularly using a mild sealing cleaner such as Revitalizer from DuPont, will help it keep the lustrous shine and color it had the day it was installed. You really don’t need fancy chemicals to clean granite, just warm water and soap works wonderfully. It is advised that you avoid harsh chemicals and cleaning agents such as ammonia and bleach, as these can etch and deteriorate granite. Other than these simple rules, granite is a low maintenance material and the best decision when it comes to adding upgrades in your kitchen and bathroom.
Arch City Granite is your knowledgeable Kirkwood granite supplier
When it comes to granite, the team at Arch City Granite are your experts on everything granite related. We can answer all your questions and show you around our well stocked showroom of ready-to-install granite slabs. If we don’t have exactly what you are looking for, we are happy to help you find it. We are excited to be your Kirkwood granite supplier and help you bring beauty to your kitchen and bathrooms. When looking for the best selection of high quality granite, Arch City Granite is where it’s at. We look forward to meeting you!