Granite kitchen countertops are one of the most beautiful countertops available in the world, but many people are very hesitant to purchase them. What they thinking about is the granite pricing though they know granite countertop will look good in their home, Granite countertops are one of the most expensive countertops and some people are concerned about spending much money for a countertop surface.
 
There are a variety of reasons why granite countertops are more expensive than other countertop materials. Granite cannot be manufactured and has to be pulled out of the ground or stone quarry by qualified personnel, which adds to the stone cost. Granite is also very hard, resulting in durability for the homeowner but making it harder for the manufacturer to shape the stone to the dimensions of the countertop. The stone must also be polished and sealed properly to protect the stone from outside elements and bring out the shine that granite is known for.
 
Granite countertops are very durable and long lasting, which also results in a higher price for the finished product. These countertops very rarely need to be replaced and have been known to last through several generations of homeowners without sustaining any significant damage or succumbing to the effects of age. Because retailers know that you will probably only purchase one of these countertops for the duration of the time that you live in the home, they are determined to get their money's worth from every granite countertop purchase.
 
Granite pricing depends on many different factors. One factor is the granite quality, which can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer depending on where they have obtained the granite. Granite pricing from some areas of the world is more highly prized than from other areas and the granite pricing will reflect the area where the granite was mined.
 
Another item that will affect the granite pricing is whether the countertop will be constructed out of granite slabs or granite tiles. Granite slabs are more expensive because they are solid granite all the way through while granite tiles are cut to a thickness that will ensure that the overall strength of the granite remains and then adhered to a countertop form using a strong epoxy.
 
The last factor that may affect granite pricing is the color and pattern of the granite. Granite that is more colorful and has more brilliant flecks contained within it will be more expensive than granite that is monotone and dull. Certain color combinations, such as pink and grey or black and white, are more expensive because they are the hardest to find in sufficient quantities to create a large number of countertops.