Understanding Different Grade of Granite

by Kevin Smith Author

When shopping for different types of countertops in Cummings you should know that not all granite countertops are of equal quality. Purchasing high-quality granite translates into a more quality slab with less imperfections. You may not notice the imperfections in the showroom, but they will catch your eye over the time you spend in your kitchen.

Different Grades

Granite is rated into three basic grades. Grade A granite has less imperfections and is the highest quality. Because it has less imperfections, or fissures, it has the highest strength. The next grade is B and the lowest grade is C – both determined by number imperfections. There are three main countries where granite is quarried. The grade A and B granite come from Italy and Brazil. Lower grade granites in the C range are quarried in China. The quality and types of granite are all determined by the natural stones in the quarries. Quarries in Italy and Brazil simply have better granite to extract.

The other thing people like about granite is that no two slabs are alike. Because granite is a natural stone, produced by mother nature, the countertop you select for your kitchen is unique to your kitchen. Depending on your style you can have beautiful patterns of bright or muted colors. There is no rhyme or reason to pricing for different patterns or colors. It’s all based on the law of supply and demand, and what the granite suppliers are able to extract from their quarries. One factor in the price of granite is cost of shipping. Granite is extremely heavy and expensive to ship. That’s one reason why it costs more than other countertop options.

Granite Thickness

Granite is cut from quarries in massive blocks and sliced on site into manageable slabs for transport. At factories the slabs are cut into thinner pieces. Less expensive granite is cut into the thinnest slabs possible. But this can lead to slabs that crack. Granite is a natural stone and therefore has defects or weak points. If you look close enough, you can see tiny dings or scratches in the granite. This is where granite can break. Quality granite countertops should be no less than one inch thick.

Something you can’t see with the naked eye are the pores in granite. Because granite is porous, once installed, the granite needs to be sealed with a special granite countertop sealer. The sealer fills and covers the pores so moisture, as well as dirt and grime, can’t work its way into the pore where bacteria will multiply. If not sealed, you could have an unsanitary surface on which you prepare your food.

So, when shopping for different types of countertops in Cummings know that not all granite countertops are of equal quality and that you get what you pay for.