Tips On How To Tell Real From Fake Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are one of the most popular countertop materials in the market that you can go for. Due to their fame, there are plenty of people that make fake countertops and try to sell them as real. As you might guess, if you install the fake materials, you get poor results. For you to have a great looking surface, you need to install the real pieces.
This calls for you to be cautious of the ones that you install. The cool thing is that there are plenty of ways in which you can tell real from fake countertops. Some of these ways include:
Tapping the countertops
You can tell the nature of the countertops by simply tapping on them. You only need to lightly tap on the countertops with a metal or small hammer. If the stone is made from real, natural granite, it should produce a ringing sound when you tap it.
If the countertop makes a dull click, it’s most likely made from engineered composite materials.
When you are tapping on the materials, you should note that it might take you time to get used to the sound; therefore, you need to take your time to get used to it.
Color and pattern
Good quality granite has an even color. While the material should have an even color, you should be cautious of the one material with color and pattern that is the same throughout. Natural stone has imperfections; therefore, when your material is too perfect, chances are that it’s imperfect.
On the other hand, when you come across material with a color that appears the same throughout the surface or the pattern repeats itself, it’s most likely manmade.
You should note that granite appears in many colors, but gray and brown are the predominant ones. If you come across colors that are too bright or unusual, bold or repeating patterns, it’s a sign that the granite is fake.
Natural, good quality granite has veins, colors, and texture on the surface of the slab. If yours doesn’t have this, it’s most likely fake, and you should stay away from it.
Porous nature
Although, granite is hard and durable, it absorbs a lot of water. The more the water the material absorbs, the darker it gets. When you are making the purchase, you should pour some water on the surface. Unless the material is sealed too well, chances are that water will get in.
If you come across a material that doesn’t allow water to get in, chances are that it’s fake or sealed. For you to be sure, ask a professional to give it a look.
Fake granite is an engineered composite that is completely nonporous. The material is made from resins and stone chips that don’t absorb water. This means that when you pour water on it, the surface won’t darken.
Pay attention to the seams
The seams of the countertop materials can tell you a lot about them. If the granite is fake, there won’t be any shift in the pattern at the seams. In fact, in manufactured pieces, there won’t be a seam at all.
If the countertops are real, you should see a change in pattern.
Pay attention to the prices
The final thing you need to consider is the price of the countertops. The prices of the pieces range from $50 for the remnants up to $2500 per square foot for the rarest ones. If you come across granite kitchen countertops Durham NC that are too cheap, you have a reason to worry as they might be fake.
