The price of installing granite countertops, as with any home improvement project, largely depends on how well planned the project is, and how experienced the craftspeople are—but if homeowners approach their home renovation project armed with knowledge, affordable granite countertops can become a pain-free reality. Here's how to save money on granite countertops:
The Old Method—Expensive Granite Slabs
When large slabs of granite are used to make countertops, homeowners pay for a significant amount of wasted granite. Why? Because in order to cover a certain square foot area (the counter), suppliers order large pieces of granite, from which they cut down and cut out holes for sinks and stoves. These sink and stove-sized pieces of granite are wasted, but homeowners are charged for them anyway.
Granite Tiles Save Money and Create Less Waste
When you use tiles, there is much less waste. Because the tiles are much smaller than traditional slabs, they require much less cutting down to provide room for sinks and stoves. Granite tiles are also usually thinner than slabs, about the same thickness as most flooring tiles, so less material is used in their making.
Granite Countertop Planning and Execution
Here are some tips for selecting granite tiles:
- Purchase at least two 12”x12” granite tiles in different colors to bring home and compare before making a final decision. If these samples don’t look right in the house, most retailers will refund your money, so don’t forget to save receipts.
- Choose tiles with consistent colors and patterns. Splashes of veins look good on slabs, but can be too busy in a row of tiles.
- Consider the effects of light on the surface and how the choices will look at different times of day and under natural and artificial light.
- Consider the effects of drops of dried water on the granite—very black tiles show water stains, so keeping them looking clean may be difficult. Conversely, busy tile patterns sometimes hide spills and other debris on the surface.
Cutting and Fitting Granite Tiles
Tiles need to be cut with special tools. Tile installers will cut bull nose edges to create a professional look at the edges of the counter. To achieve a more old-fashioned look, finish the edges with stained or painted wood. Either option can work, depending on your overall design plan for the kitchen.
Dealing With Counter Backsplash
To save money, consider buying ceramic, rather than granite, tiles for the counter backsplash. Ceramic tiles are relatively cheap and come in a wide variety of attractive colors and patterns.
All of this takes time and careful planning, but in the end granite tiles will save money and material.
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