Thinking about buying precut granite countertops? Do you wonder if you should buy precut granite countertops? Many people are often confused every time they hear the term precut granite countertops. Some even think that it is a manmade material. But, what are precut granite countertops, anyway? Where do they come from? Are they even worth your time and money? Are these good options for your home?
What are Precut Granite Countertops?
Precut granite countertops are actually made by a factory, usually in China. They cut then polish the edge of the material before selling it in standard sizes that can be cut to fit the length of your cabinets at home.
The limited and standardized range of manufacturing options often helps reduce costs that are then passed on to consumers. This means that if the countertop you have at home fits one of the standardized dimensions, going for precut granite countertop will be a relatively cheaper option compared to getting custom fit granite. Installation is often much faster with the smaller sizes of pieces.
granite countertops that are precut
Are Granite Countertops That Are Precut Good Quality?
Most precut granite is not good quality. They are quickly made by machine and only slightly hand polished by low paid workers. They are also typically made from cheap granite materials, too. Since most precut granite countertops are manufactured in China they tend to use only granite they mine. Chinese granite has a reputation as being one of the lowest quality of all countries.
While precut granite countertop is relatively cheaper, it is a must to remember that most of the time, you are getting exactly what you pay for as far as precut granite is concerned. As mentioned earlier, most of these pieces are being manufactured in bulk in China with very little quality control and oversight.
This means that a deal that might seem too good to be true is probably just that. The granite can be brittle and thin or it might not be genuine granite at all. It makes it important to look for a quality dealer and not just be swayed by the exaggerated low price tags alone.
There are also instances when there is very limited selection of colors to choose from when you look at precut granite countertop, sometimes limited to only the most common and popular colors. Shapes are very limited as well.
precut granite countertops
Precut Granite Means More Seams
Since precut granite comes in standard lengths, it needs more seams in your countertop. The seams may have to be put at bad locations that can cause splitting after just a few years. This noticeable seaming is a very serious issue when choosing precut, with color consistency varying from piece to piece since these are not cut from exactly the same piece of granite.
Lastly, precut granite countertops come with bullnose edging only that is a totally rounded edge. While many homeowners might not pay attention to the standard detailing, you have to know that you will likely need to opt for a custom cut if you want any type of customization to the edge.
Verdict on Precut Granite Countertops
All in all, it is easy to see that precut granite countertops are NOT really worth your money and time. Instead, you can just purchase remnants at a factory direct countertop company for about the same cost but with fewer seams, better result, and better quality.
