Granite Countertops in Fort Wayne, IN

Granite countertops are cut from quarried igneous rock, so no two slabs match. Some are speckled and quiet, others swirl with veins of black, gold or white. It tolerates heat better than resin-bound quartz, holds up to heavy daily use, and HomeGuide's installed price ranges for granite overlap heavily with quartz. The trade-off is that natural stone is porous to some degree and needs sealing.

Picking a slab

Granite is priced by level or grade, which mostly reflects how rare the color is and where it was quarried. HomeGuide's installed figures run $50 to $80 a square foot for low-grade granite, mid-grade at $80 to $150, and high-grade or exotic stone at $150 to $250. Within any grade, you are choosing a specific slab. Photos and small samples do not show how the pattern moves across a full slab, so ask to see the slab itself, or a photo of the whole slab, before deciding. If a slab has a dramatic vein, we mark where it will fall on the island or the run by the window, and show you where the seams will land.

Sealing and upkeep

How often granite needs sealing depends on the stone. HomeGuide notes the range runs from 2 to 4 times a year for porous stone to once every 10 or more years for dense granite, at about $200 to $350 for a professional treatment. To check, sprinkle water near the sink and wait. Stone that darkens quickly is absorbing it and is ready for fresh sealer. For routine cleaning, a stone-safe neutral cleaner or mild dish soap does the job. Vinegar, bleach and lemon-based cleaners wear down the sealer over time.

Heavy stone in older kitchens

A slab of granite for a kitchen run weighs hundreds of pounds. In older Fort Wayne homes, where kitchens may have been remodeled more than once and floors have settled, we check that the cabinets can carry it and are level. Thin face-frame cabinets with a large unsupported sink opening may need a reinforcing rail. Long overhangs for seating need hidden steel supports. These are small costs that prevent cracked stone later.

Prefab versus full slab

You may see prefabricated granite pieces at home centers. HomeGuide lists prefab material at roughly $20 to $80 per square foot against $40 to $100 or more for full slabs, before installation. Prefab pieces come in set sizes and edges, which can mean more seams in an L-shaped kitchen and less choice of color. A full slab is cut to your exact layout. For a simple straight run or a bathroom, prefab can work; for most kitchens, a full slab gives a cleaner result.

Edges and cutouts

Eased and straight edges are the most common choice in modern kitchens. Bullnose, bevel and ogee edges add cost and suit more traditional rooms, including many of the older homes near downtown. Undermount sinks need a polished cutout, and every faucet, soap dispenser or air-gap hole is drilled to your fixture, so we confirm models before fabrication.