Most people might not know this, but there is such a thing as faux granite. It has the same look and feels as real granite, but it is obviously miles apart in quality and price as compared to the real thing. Here is everything you need to know about faux granite countertops.

Faux Granite Is Less Durable Than Granite

Faux granite is not the real type of stone that is mined from the ground. It is obviously going to be less strong and durable than real granite. Although it can last longer than most delicate countertop materials, it is necessary to know that it will not be there for a long time. The longevity of the faux granite depends on how much you take care of it. It is not as heat resistant as natural granite and it is also not waterproof.

There Are Many Installations Options

Faux granite has a lot of installation options. It can be installed in the form of slabs, tiles, and more. Where real granite can have some limitations, faux granite is a great and versatile countertop material when it comes to installation.

It is also very easy to install since it is lightweight and the patterns can be matched easily since they are man-made. You don’t need to worry too much about the veining being matched with the rest of the countertop as it will be very easy to put together, like a jigsaw puzzle.

Faux Granite Needs To Be Sealed

As mentioned above, faux granite countertops are not waterproof. These countertops need to be sealed in order to keep water out of their composition and structure. Faux granite can get damaged very quickly because of water seepage, so you need to take care of the fact that it needs to be sealed and once the sealant starts to come off, you will need a new coat of sealant, in order to make it durable against the water and moisture damage. It requires a lot of maintenance in general.

You Need To Take A Lot Of Care Of Faux Granite Countertops

Faux granite is just as hard to maintain as the real thing. You need to take care that you are not putting too much weight on the countertops, you need to keep it away from hot things like pots and pans. It also scratches very easily, so you need to take care that you are not using sharp knives or tools directly on the surface of the countertop, as this will lead to damage which is almost irreversible.

You don’t want to spend too much money on maintaining a fake granite countertop because it is less expensive to have it replaced than to have it fixed or repaired.

You Can Make Faux Granite Countertops By Yourself

Faux granite countertops can be made at home too. You just need some simple tools and some patience and you will have yourself a very real-looking granite countertop. Here is what you need to do:

• It can be done on any type of countertop, so first you need to leave the countertop you are working on vacant.
• Use sandpaper or rough paper to scrub off any dirt, grease, or remnants from the countertop. This will prepare the surface for the next step.
• You will need to apply a nice and even layer of primer all over the countertop after wiping it down using a clean dishcloth. The primer will prepare the surface of the countertop for the paint.
• Use light or slightly darker colored paint and apply it in thin layers all throughout your countertop surface.
• The trick here is to work in layers. This will give that very famous blurry effect of the veins as you find in granite countertops.
• Let the paint layers dry and apply an even layer of sealant on top of the countertop surface.

Conclusion

There you have it! Faux granite is a great countertop option if you are looking for something which has a striking similarity to real granite, but you don’t want to pay a lot of money for that. Discuss with granite countertop installers Durham NC about which type of granite is better for you before making a decision.