Kitchen Granite Counter Tops in South Bay, CA

When it comes to kitchen countertops, granite offers the most benefits. It is scratch resistant, stain resistant, heat resistant, and easy to take care of.

For Granite countertops, this is what you need to consider when choosing the right stone.

Granite slabs are the polished sheets of stone that your granite countertops start from.  So how do you choose the stone that will best fit your countertop?

Choosing the right color for your kitchen counters is a matter of personal taste.  The characteristics and performance of granite may actually vary by the color of the stone:

Light granites usually have swirling or flowing patterns.  They may also have randomly placed crystals, large and small.  These granites hide messy counters well.  Light granites are often more porous and softer than darker colors.  Light colored granites require sealing with multiple coats of penetrating sealer before use.

Dark granites are more subdued than the lighter ones.  They are also more consistent in crystal pattern.  Dark granites usually require few or no coats of sealer. 

Black granite such as Galaxy Black or Absolute Black is not really granite but rather a gabbro or dolomite.  It performs better than true granite because it requires no sealing, and is very consistent.

Granite Edges

After choosing the slab for your countertop, it’s time to choose the kind of edge you want for it. Stone edges are a design element that you choose prior to fabrication. The edge that you choose can have a dramatic impact on the look and feel of your kitchen and countertops.

There are so many choices to choose from.

Depending on the shape, it will affect cost, function, and cleanliness.

Eased Edge:

This edge is most commonly used on back splashes, but can also be used on countertops to give it a clean look.

Eased edge offers a square flat face with the sharp edge on top rounded slightly.  Sometimes, the eased edge is rounded enough to be called a quarter round granite edge. 

Half Bullnose/ Rounded-Over Edge:

The half bullnose edge can also be called the round-over because instead of being squared off, it is rounded over.  It offers a smooth and round surface. It shows a larger cross section of your stone.

Demi Bullnose Edge:

This is not the half bullnose. This edge is very smooth, flowing and shows a larger cross section of the countertop making it appear thicker. This edge is usually the least expensive treatment that gives you similar rounding to the half bullnose.

Full Bullnose Edge:

The full bullnose has the most contemporary look of all the granite countertop edges. A side view of full bullnose shows the shape of a half circle. The full bullnose is gentle on the body and has no edges. It tends to make the countertops look thinner.

Bevel Edge:

Bevels are 45 degree cuts into the edge of the stone. The deeper the cut, the wider the bevel face is.

Ogee Edge:

From the side, an ogee edge forms the shape of an "S". This is often the most elaborate edge offered by granite fabricators. Ogee is used to achieve  a more traditional look.

Dupont Edge:

Also known as the "Bird's Beak", the Dupont edge looks like a demi bullnose with a notch at the top. It may have a tendency to chip depending on the stone.      

More elaborate profiles can be made with special router bits like this Triple Waterfall. Real craftsman can create an unlimited array of edges by gluing together different profiles.

To achieve a more natural or rustic edge the stone has to be chiseled. Some fabricators chisel this edge by hand. Others may use pneumatic chiseling machines. The chiseled edge is rough and looks like a naturally broken piece of granite. It is lightly smoothed and sprayed with a clear coat finish for shine.

Residential Construction Services in  South Bay, CA
Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, 
Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance