Now you will be wondering what is pre-fabricated granite. Well leave this to me as I am going to give you a brief introduction on difference between granite & prefabricated granite.
What is Granite?

Granite: an igneous rock rich in feldspar and quartz produce from hot molten lava and found in plutonic region in deep crust of earth. This is how our geologists define granite in their technical terminologies.
In layman language it is simply an igneous rock that found below earth’s crust and been quarried through out the world.

When granite is extracted from its quarries it is a large piece of chunk that has been sliced into slabs as per pre-defined measurements. At that time it was just like any other raw piece of stone that needs finishing and other fabrication touch ups.

What is prefabricated granite?

•Prefabricated granite term represents those granite slabs or stone that are ready to install. They are very much made up of real granite stone. Under this fabrication process granite been cut into pre-determined sizes of slabs. These slabs are according to standard measurements that are demanded by home owners.
•Even all their edges are shaped either bull nose or half bull nose by using the diamond grinder. They are available in all regular colours.
•There are certain pre-fabricated granite slabs also that have pre-installed sinks in them as well as faucets.
•Additionally they have complete polished and buffed surface that gives it a mirror like finish.
The idea behind prefabricated granite is to cut some cost that will be passing on to customers and make granite readily available to every class of customers. All these fabrications are performed on most of the developing countries where labour is cheap and then it is transported to other countries. This is why pre-fabricated granite worktops are cheaper than granite slabs.

Moreover it saves your time and energy that you spend in its selection and installation. Here all you need is to select prefabricated granite worktop slab, match it with your kitchen interiors, order them and in no time it will be installed at your place. And the most appreciable thing in this option is that you would not have to worry about your budget.

All you need is to use “granite painting kit” to give a look and feel of granite on your laminated countertops. This kit is readily available in the manufacturer’s store or other hardware stores that offer DIY methodology and empowers you to create the magic of granite on your laminated kitchen tops.
Why I am in favour of this option because it is highly durable as it contains polymer resins that offer long lasting effect on countertops. Moreover it gives us a freedom to redesign our countertops in any format in terms of colours and shades.

Here are few instructions to use this kit:

1.As you do in your daily basis clean your laminated countertop thoroughly and put all its items aside.
2.Now use the masking tape and cover all the borders, edges and cut outs so that the paint cannot penetrate other areas. Make sure that you mask all the electric sockets as well near worktop just for precaution.
3.First of all apply primer on kitchen top and leave it for air dry.
4.Now use the colours from the kit to make your own shades. For this use dabbing sponge that is available in the kit to dab the paints.
5.Starting with the dark colours and moving towards the lighter shades in random pattern and create design and colour combination as you desire.
6.Make sure that entire surface is thoroughly covered with the colour.
7.Now apply highlight colour on the painted surface. This will give you granite stone look.
8.Then apply final or top coat on the countertop’s surface. This will seal its colour and apply these coats in multiple layers and make sure that you have at least 3 hours of gap between each coat application.

Now your granite worktops are ready in smart and affordable way.

The price tag attached to materials should not be the sole deciding factor when choosing high-quality worktops; there are ranges to suit every budget, and style should not be substituted for efficiency. This article will consider the main features of the three most extensively used materials – stone, wood, laminate – whilst weighing up value for cost.

Stone Worktops – Granite is a popular choice

Stone worktops, though not cheap, are virtually indestructible and not even the most careless cook could damage these surfaces. Built to last a lifetime, stone worktops look stunning and create a timeless feel to your kitchen. The natural coolness of stone also makes these surfaces perfect for rolling out pastry and preparation in general. Granite appears to be the most popular choice in stone but other worktops can be constructed from slate, marble, limestone and quartz.

Wood can serve the purpose but needs extra care

Another widely selected source of material for a kitchen worktop is wood, available in different types to suit each budget. As wood is a renewable source, it is ecologically-friendly bringing a natural, wholesome finish to your kitchen as well as having antibacterial benefits. Extra care is needed to keep the wood in good condition and as a precaution against water stains but, on the whole, it is relatively straightforward to maintain.

Laminate Worktops can be an economical option

Finally, for an economical but by no means inferior option, laminate worktops are the frontrunners. Easy on the pocket compared to their more exclusive rivals, the range of laminate worktops extends to a far superior array of textures, patterns and colours than any other material; ideal for mixing and matching, and the ultimate finish to your colour scheme. Despite not being as resilient as other surfaces, its relative low cost means that it is easily replaceable: therefore giving a kitchen a fresh, new look in an instant.

Granite looks good no mater how long it has been

Obviously granite worktops give beauty and flair to any kitchen area but they offer lots of other advantages as well. Granite stone has a usual feature of accumulation of extravagance in the kitchen. Likewise, it remains a new and fresh no matter how long it has been after you set it.

The attractive aspect of the Granite work top is the simplicity of maintaining and cleaning. Although regular cleaning is enough to make them shining but for greasy areas or stain a small household cleanser could be utilised to wipe off the dirt stuck in it. Another cause why you need to use them is their resistance and durability to chip and scratch. They can be utilised in any way you need. You needn’t to be tender while utilising Granite worktops. Since it is heat resilient you could place hot tubs straight from the stove in the surface without worrying about any problem.

Perfect material to rise up the enthusiastic glaze

Granite could be also utilised to your living region like as a dining table or coffee table. It gives an extremely luxurious look to the inside of the home. It could be even set up in bathroom region or walls. Hence, granite shows itself as a perfect material that rises up the enthusiastic glaze and luxury of your house.

National Home Improvement Show lasts for three days and will start on September 30th at Earls Court, London. It features portals for expert advice, theatres and master classes from experts in the DIY industry.

Real Homes magazine will provide an Advice Centre where fans of DIY can have a personal chat with experts about ideas, projects or products.

DIYers can receive relevant guidelines on all aspects that concern building and home improvement (design, layout, financing, planning, energy efficiency etc).

The Building Doctors will hold master classes and go through the top ten tips for home designers to take into consideration. Michael Homes will also participate at this event, to spread his knowledge on self-building.

Interior expert Julia Kendall will have her own section where she will host finishing touches that have the power of bringing a room to life.

Source: Everest

Cabinets for granite worktops

If you do not have second thoughts, and still want to do the remodelling yourself, search for the best kitchen units one can get on the market. Companies which provide customers with granite worktops also offer them all sorts of kitchen cabinets of all sizes, shapes, colours and patterns.

When you set off to buy these objects, you shall come across two very used phrases: self-assembly and rigid carcasses kitchen units. In DIY world, they have essential meaning. Self assembly means in other words flat packs, and rigid carcasses are pre-built units.

The rigid carcasses have higher prices, as they are already put together. If you buy them assembled, this will cost you extra, not to mention the cost of them being assembled in the factory. If you want to earn money, go with the self assembly units. They are less expensive, but you have to assembly them yourself. But this is all part of the unique adventure of matching your granite worktops.

Granite worktops manufacturing

Worktops are manufactured using granite. This is a natural stone, and as a consequence you need to handle it with attention. Its composition may differ from one piece to another. These together with the colour and pattern are features which turn your worktops into unique models.

If worktops have caught your attention and now you are thinking to use them in remodelling, redecorating or changing your kitchen, you have to know first what are the advantages and disadvantages of kitchen units available on the market.

If you are more than pleased with granite worktops, then things should go easier for you, as desire always beats up hard work. Installing your own kitchen with granite worktops can become an enjoyable adventure for you and your family, but also a bonding experience.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has noticed that many buyers do not take seasonal problems into account, so insulation and central heating may be overlooked during a warm season.

But boilers and radiators should work properly (especially as bills rise), while windows should be fully insulated with double glazing. The NAEA noted this process can have homeowners a lot of money.

In addition, damp can be more difficult to spot during summertime, while external facades and walls might need a new paint job when temperature is starting to drop, says NAEA.

“It’s easy to be swayed by warm weather living when house hunting in the summer, meaning cool living rooms, large windows and lots of space for barbecues can be attractive,” said CEO Peter Bolton King.

He also mentioned that we should not forget how weather will change later in the year.

• Take a paper towel (without patterns) or a white towel made from cotton. Place it on the counter and wait 4-5 minutes.
• If the area soaked by the water is dark, then your granite worktops need to be sealed.

2. Apply the sealer on the surface by using a clean white rag or a brush. It is recommended you work in a small area, so take your time.

3. Take a break of 20-30 minutes and let the worktops absorb the sealer.

4. Just before the sealer dries off, apply some more and then rub it with a white clean rag (a different one).

5. Wait at least two hours and then repeat the application process. Repeat this last step until the granite worktops are sealed, but use at least 2 coats of sealer.

6. If you are unsure whether your granite countertops need more sealer, then spill water on them, wait for about half an hour and then wipe it off. If the surface does not change its colour in dark, then it has enough seal (similar to step 1).

If you do not use a permanent sealer, then you will need to repeat this entire process once every six months or a year.

In order to come up with various finishes for granite worktops, the worktop’s surface is processed with diamond pads. It begins with the roughest one and works it way to getting refined. The brilliance of the colours you regularly see on television is determined by a high-shine that comes from the reflection of the granite’s crystals.

Nowadays, polished granite is buffed in order to make a flat surface with a low shine. For instance, sandblasted granite has a more organic surface with patterns. Obviously, such type of granite countertops are not recommended for hardworking areas where it is at risk to easily get damaged. A certain type of granite can also receive a flamed or brushed finish, cases in which the surface is burnt off and then processed with nylon brushes.

In order to take that extra step in style, you must shape the granite worktop’s edge. The ones that are up to 100mm thick are very popular now, because it gives an additional level of security when it comes to the durability of the material. Because granite is so expensive, it requires a mixture of granite and marble to be made. Thus, a 20mm layer of granite is placed on the top of the final surface, whereas a piece that is 100mm long is placed on the front edge. The underside is made from marble, due to the fact that it is stable and resistant to heat.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Figure out an area where you can storage your old granite worktops as soon as they have been removed. You can use a closet in the interior if there is enough space, or you can take advantage of an unused shed outside. There should be enough room so the worktop can be stored flat or tilted on its side.

2. Line the worktop with a drop cloth and then remove the backsplash. The drop cloth has the role of catching any pieces that fall from the backsplash, protecting the surface from being chiped and making noise if the blacksplash falls on the worktop. In order to remove the backsplash, place a crowbar blade between the backsplash and the wall, and gently hit it with a hammer. The adhesive material should loosen up, and you will be able to use the crowboar and pry it away from the wall.

3. Put the crowbar between the granite worktop and the cabinetry. Use it to break the seal and then lever up the worktop. After you loosen the surface around the seam, ask someone to help you remove the worktop from the cabinetry.

4. After you place the granite worktop in the storage area, wrap it in a butcher’s paper and tape the covering.

Congratulations! You have successfully removed your old granite worktops and made room for new ones.