According to Creative Granite & Design, installers of custom granite countertops throughout northern Utah, granite is one of the most popular materials used for countertops and other surfaces in Salt Lake City homes and businesses.
But not all granite is created equal. There are three levels of granite quality—entry level, middle grade, and high grade—and it’s important to know which type you’re getting before making a purchase.
Here’s a brief guide to help you determine the best quality of granite for your SLC renovation project.
Where Does Granite Come From?
Granite is an igneous rock that is formed during a long and intense tectonic process deep within the Earth’s crust over millions of years. Its formation begins when magma slowly cools and crystallizes, eventually forming the tough, grainy granite that emerges through cracks in the Earth’s surface in certain areas. These areas are then mined and harvested to provide building materials needed for construction projects across the globe—the U.S. imports most of its granite from India, Brazil, and China.
Levels of Granite
Level One Granite Quality
Entry-level or low-grade granite typically has more quartz content than higher-grade granites, resulting in fewer veining patterns and color options. The surface can also be less smooth than higher-grade granite due to its lower polishing process. Additionally, entry-level granite often has slight flaws that weren’t caught during production, such as small pits or chips on the surface.
Level Two Granite Quality
Middle or mid-grade granite offers more color options than entry-level granite because it contains more mica content, which gives it a sparkle effect when polished. It also features more distinct veining patterns due to its higher quartz content. However, some middle-grade granites may contain slight imperfections that weren’t caught during production.
Level Three Granite Quality
High-grade granite offers the widest selection of colors and veining patterns because it contains more feldspar content than any other type of granite. It also has a smoother surface due to its higher polishing process.
A good rule of thumb is that the smoother the surface of a piece of stone is polished, the higher its quality will be—and vice versa if it has an unfinished or unpolished surface.
High-grade granites are also free from imperfections or blemishes since they undergo an intensive inspection before being offered for sale.
Check the Price Tag
It’s true—you get what you pay for when selecting quality granite. While some deals are available on lower-grade stone, investing in high-end granite for your Salt Lake City renovation will give you superior performance that lasts longer and looks better over time.
In addition, higher-end stones come with more intricate patterns and colors. So they can provide a unique look that adds value to your home renovation project.
Determining the quality of your granite is essential for ensuring you get precisely what you want for your home or business countertop project. Entry-level granites offer fewer color options. But are usually free from any significant flaws. Middle grade provides a slightly better color selection. But may have minor imperfections. And high-grade provides the broadest selection with no blemishes due to its stringent inspection process before shipment.
Knowing how to differentiate between each type of granite will help ensure you get the perfect granite for your Utah home renovation. For help with the perfect granite countertop for your Provo, Layton, or Salt Lake City project, contact the experts at Creative Granite & Design today.
