Prefabricated granite countertops

Prefabricated granite countertops became very popular in the recent years. They are sold much cheaper than custom made countertops. Thanks to that, many home owners are able to afford granite in their kitchens.

Here are some tips on what to expect before deciding on whether to install prefabricated granite countertops in your house:

• Size limitations. The majority of prefabricated granite countertops come in fixed sizes: they are granite runs about 26”wide. The islands also come in limited variety sizes. This fact limits the number of kitchen configurations you can install without putting too many seams. Granite seams are a form of an art. You will have very few of them in a custom-fabricated kitchen and you will have hard time finding them. Ask yourself if you are willing to have extra seams in your kitchen.
• Color limitations. The color choices are also limited for prefabricated granite countertops. You can’t have any “movement” in the stone. Because the granite comes in runs, it will be hard to make two runs to “flow” into each other, especially if you need to turn a corner. Granite shops that cut kitchens from slabs lay out the kitchen templates on a slab before they start cutting, to make sure the kitchen looks esthetically pleasant.   
• Custom changes. When ordering prefabricated granite countertops, make sure you cover all details before the installation. Know what kind of edge you are getting. Most likely, companies that sell prefabricated granite countertops wouldn’t be able to change edges without reordering your kitchen. Quite often, cheap advertized price covers only granite. You need to pay extra for any sink cutouts, any custom cuts, backsplash, outlet cutouts, etc. Make sure you understand the contract you are signing and see the overall final picture of your kitchen.