How to Buy Granite Countertops for your Kitchen and Bathrooms

Estimate the square footage you'll need for both your kitchen and bathrooms. Make a sketch of the countertop space and note the length and width. Although fabricators take their own measurements before installation, retailers will provide you with an approximate quote based on your layout and dimensions.

Check with the Better Business Bureau before doing business with any granite dealer. Disreputable suppliers employ uninsured, inexperienced subcontractors and use lower-quality, commercial-grade granite. Ask for references before committing to the purchase.

Request samples to find the ideal color for your bathrooms and kitchen. To add energy and interest, choose hues that contrast with the cabinetry. For a more restful setting, pick colors that blend with the cabinets. Match the countertop color with the floor if you desire continuity. Select dark shades of granite for a less porous surface that naturally resists moisture.

Test the sample's porosity by setting a lemon wedge on the surface. Examine the surface under natural light after eight hours. If rough, dull patches appear, the granite will not hold up well in the kitchen, according to Olive Mill Manufacturing.

Select your slabs in person at the stone yard. Do not rely on samples or allow the fabricator to choose the material for you. Most home centers and suppliers expect you to pick your slabs so there are no surprises. Some stones look different from their samples.

Choose only first-choice slabs for optimum performance. The American Society for Testing and Materials sets minimum performance standards for granite. Dealers designate first-choice slabs for residential use and second-choice slabs for commercial use.

Test a sample of the slab with a radon test kit if you're worried about radiation. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that most granite countertops are safe, but certain exotic species may pose more of a risk. Red, violet and pink shades tend to emit more radon, reports CBS News.

Ask the dealer if the slabs come pre-sealed. Some distributors coat the slabs with a permanent sealer at the factory and guarantee the surface for 15 years. Unsealed granite will require periodic maintenance.