The Cost Of Granite Countertops Includes Quarrying and Transportation
Vera Sang

Defined Tag: Cost Of Granite Countertops.

The cost of granite countertops can quickly escalate the bottom line of any kitchen remodeling budget. This cost is not solely affected by such issues as slab size or the quantity. Other factors, including the country or area of origin, the color of the stone, the presence or absence of patterns or ‘veins’ within the rock which might make it more or less attractive and unique, and whether or not it has any flaws or ‘pits’ which will require filling, these all contribute to the price a slab of granite will command.

Just bear in mind that granite is granite, it is the same base substance throughout regardless of the cost of your granite countertop. And, aside from structural issues such as the thickness of a slab and the presence of ‘filled’ areas there is really no difference in the actual stones composition. When you purchase granite that is what you are getting, granite with it's inherent durability and strength.

You will find Granite is quarried in and fromdifferent countries. It is created by vast pressures deep beneath the earth’s surface but is then made available for quarrying by the natural subterranean movement which results in mountain ranges. Hence, granite quarries tend to be in or close to mountain ranges such as those in South America, India, China, Scandinavia and Europe. This aspect of the origins of granite also has an affect upon the final cost of the product since transportation expenses do impact upon the final price.

First, the granite is sliced from the mountains in huge blocks some weigh up to 20 tons. Since the stones would be destroyed if blasted out massive cutters with diamond heads are used to slice blocks out of a quarry. The bulk of the world’s raw granite supply is then transported to the Verona Region of Italy. There in huge processing plants for slicing and polishing these huge slabs go through a process that can take up to six days to complete. The surface of one side of each of these blocks is ‘polished’ abrasively, like the process of sandpapering, using progressively finer grits, until the surface takes on its recognizable marble shine.

The finished, yet still huge, slabs are then transported to local workshops where they will be cut up to the correct size for their final use in your home. Unusual shapes or sizes are an additional consideration and simpler, more common shapes or sizes will be a bit less.

Now some colors of granite will be readily available in almost all areas. While there are colors of stone that will be rare and specific to only one country or area of one country. The costs for this granite will be higher. As a rule the rarer the color the more expensive the stone. It is these transportation and processing costs that add to the final price in addition to the rarity of a particular stone or color; these are the elements which contribute to the cost of granite.

Notwithstanding all of this your final cost for the granite you buy will also be determined by the supplier you choose. Check with more than supplier in your area or on the internet. Ask for a discount if it seems just a little too much for your budget. What do you have to lose? Get the cost of your granite countertop down and enjoy a beautiful granite countertop you can afford for years.

Vera Sang writes about kitchen design including kitchen countertops and kitchen cabinets. She is the owner of Countertops and Cabinets.Com blog where you can get a fresh view daily of kitchen design ideas, product information, news and more...