The new year often comes with plans for bettering ourselves, our lifestyles and our homes. Do you have a home renovation planned for 2016? Many homeowners start their renovations with the kitchen or the bathroom, and one of the key elements in either of these rooms is the counter-tops. Are you stuck on which countertops to choose?

While it’s a nice touch to have custom-cut granite countertops in Denver, prefabricated slabs have their benefits and may be the right choice for you and your home. Here’s a couple things to think about when considering prefabricated slabs:

Finished Product
Prefab slabs are made with rounded off corners called bull-nosed edges. They usually come with matching backsplashes as well. For the most part, they are generally unfinished on one side. Because of this, prefab slabs are good for counters where the unfinished edge can sit against a wall, but they’re not recommended for something like a kitchen island where the unfinished edge will show. However, they can’t be used for a curved area or for non-standard dimensions, unlike custom stone. As prefab slabs have evolved over the years, they come in a wide variety of style, sizes and colors so it won’t be hard finding something you like.

Manufacturing
The majority of prefabricated slabs are made in India or China and shipped to the U.S. ready to go. This means they are sanded, polished, and pre-cut to standard sizes, such as 8, 6, or 4 feet in length by 3 or 4 feet in width, and typically include holes for a sink, faucet, and handles.

Installation and Delivery
The prefabricated slabs will need to be transported in a protected environment with padding and stability to avoid and damage or breakage. If you are transporting them yourself, an SUV or large vehicle is ideal. Once they’re in your home, the installation is fairly straight forward. They just have to be placed directly over your cabinets, installing the hardware such as the sink and faucet, and applying caulking. For an added cost, you can get them professionally installed. However, ensure the installer is reputable and has experience with prefab slabs, paying close attention to the seams and any laminated edges.

Here’s more information on choosing the right kitchen countertops for your project. Many homeowners have found prefab slabs to be both a practical and attractive option for basic home renovations, for outfitting smaller kitchens or bathrooms, or for updating rental properties. Whether you decide to install the prefab slabs yourself or enlist the help of a professional installer, you can have a granite countertop in your Denver home without the custom-cut price tag, in many cases.

HTI Granite has a great selection of prefabricated granite slabs to choose from. With years of experience, we are confident we can help you choose the right kind of quality materials you need for any home renovation project. We not only serve Denver, but the Front Range and Wyoming as well. Call us at (303) 592-9090 for more information or get some inspiration in our countertop gallery.