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Granite Kitchen Countertop Buying Guide
Six decisions to make before you order granite countertops from a factory, and the information to send so your quote and your finished pieces come out right the first time.
1. Choose the color
Start with the look of the room, then check practicality. Busy, spotted granites such as Tiger Skin White or Ivory White hide crumbs and water marks. Even grains such as Tongan White and Swan Grey are easier to match across long runs. Flowing patterns such as Wave White look best on islands where the slab can be shown in one piece. Compare all nine on the granite colors page.
Granite is natural, so the slab you receive will differ from any sample photo. Ask for current slab photos and a finish sample before confirming.
2. Pick the thickness
| Thickness | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 cm | Countertops on full cabinet support, backsplashes | Lighter to ship and handle; edges are often laminated to look thicker |
| 3 cm | Kitchen islands, breakfast bars, overhangs | Stiffer and more forgiving on spans and overhangs |
Available thicknesses can differ by color. Confirm them for your granite when you ask for a quote.
3. Choose the surface finish
| Finish | Look | In the kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Polished | Glossy, deepest color | The most common choice; easy to wipe clean |
| Honed | Smooth, matte | Softer look; can show oil and water marks, so seal well |
| Leathered | Low sheen with a subtle texture | Hides fingerprints; needs good sealing |
Flamed and bush-hammered finishes are meant for outdoor paving and are not suited to kitchen worktops. YouStone offers finish sampling, so you can see the finish on your chosen granite before production.
4. Select edge profiles
Name the profile for every exposed edge on your drawings. Common choices are eased (a slightly rounded square edge), bevel, half bullnose, full bullnose and ogee. Eased and half bullnose edges are the most practical in busy kitchens because they chip less easily than sharp corners.
5. Plan cutouts and details
- Sink cutouts: state undermount or top-mount, and give the sink model or cutout template.
- Drainer grooves: shallow grooves cut beside the sink so water runs back into the bowl.
- Cooktop cutouts: give the appliance cutout size from its installation manual.
- Tap and accessory holes: mark the number, diameter and position.
- Joints: long or L-shaped runs may need seams; mark where you prefer them.
6. Prepare drawings for a quote
A complete inquiry gets a faster and more accurate quote. Include:
- Granite color and surface finish
- Dimensions of every piece (a simple drawing is enough), thickness and edge profiles
- Cutouts, grooves and holes with positions
- Quantity, number of units for projects, and destination
- Your timeline
Send it to youstone@chinabluestone.com or see how to request a quote.
Care after installation
Most granite countertops benefit from a penetrating sealer, renewed when water stops beading on the surface. Wipe up oil, wine and citrus promptly, clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner, and avoid bleach, vinegar and abrasive pads. Use trivets under very hot pans and cutting boards for knives.
Buying Guide FAQ
What thickness should a granite kitchen countertop be?
Granite kitchen countertops are most often made 2 cm or 3 cm thick. 3 cm tops are stiffer and suit islands and overhangs; 2 cm tops are lighter and usually sit on a full plywood or cabinet support. Confirm the thicknesses available for your chosen color when you request a quote.
Which granite finish is best for a kitchen?
Polished granite is the most common kitchen finish because it shows the stone's color and is easy to wipe clean. Honed and leathered finishes give a softer, low-sheen look but can show oil marks more readily, so they benefit from good sealing.
What should my granite countertop drawings include?
Overall dimensions of each piece, thickness, edge profile for every exposed edge, sink and cooktop cutout sizes and positions, any drainer grooves or tap holes, the granite color, the finish, the quantity and your delivery timeline.