‘Granite Worktops’ Category

This note is to Confirm that our February Deal DOES include

• Granite Worktops (delivered and fitted)
• a new Franke tap
• a new undermounted sink
• a new hob
• All for £2,000 INCLUDING VAT

Please see our

Deals

page for more information.

Granite Care

As well as being the most beautiful (we’re a little biased!) Granite is the most durable and resilient material for kitchen worktops – but like anything, a little care and attention for your granite will ensure your worktops look brand new for many years.

For general cleaning, warm water is sufficient. (Abrasive cleaning products and scouring detergents can leave little scratches on the granite which, over time, will leave the polished finish a little dulled.) Alkaline and chlorine based cleaners are very strong chemicals and should be avoided,likewise do not use bleach. Granite will keep it’s beautiful finish for much longer without such brutal treatment!

If acidic liquids (eg vinegar, wine, cirus fruit juices) are spilled on your granite worktops. Wipe immediately wipe immediately with warm soapy water. This care and attention significantly prolong the beautiful finish of your granite.

Protect your beautiful granite from hot pans and plates using a platter ot trivet. Granite is tough stuff, but some of the pigments in the granite that give it it’s rich pattern may discolour slightly if exposed to extreme heat – and use chopping-boards: whilst Granite is the second hardest rock on earth (after diamonds) it may still scratch if good steel knives are used on it.

To prevent staining we apply a coating to our granite worktops which reduces the porosity of the worksurface. Over time this coating deteriorates and we recommend a special wax and polish kit is used every 3 to 4 years. This water-resistant seal enhances hygiene and reduces the porosity of the stone. Dales Granite can supply this kit – please contact us for details.

So with a little simple care and attention – your beautiful granite worktops will continue to be beautiful for many years to come!

Dales Granite are Worktop Specialists. We are happy to advise on any aspect of worktop supply, modification or repair. Contact us on 01423 873 811 or Paul on 07812 640 314.

Granite worktops will increase the saleability and therefore value of your home. Therefore – see it as an investment rather than a cost. Remember, you don’t need to replace the whole kitchen – just do the worktops!

A properly chosen and fitted worktop can make all the difference to your kitchen – and to your home. The kitchen needs to be efficient, clean and functional and at the same time is probably the part of your home people see most of, most often – so it needs to look good!

A properly fitted kitchen will make the kitchen the true heart of the home – and the worktops are the most important component of the kitchen, both aesthetically and functionally.

The first consideration is colour. Your worktop should of course coordinate with the rest of the kitchen, and there are different colour ranges available depending on the material you choose. Whilst Granite is limited to the colours of the rock where it was extracted it might surprise you to discover the wide range of granite colours available. Dales Granite can provide samples of over 60 different granite colours! Call us now to arrange a free, no pressure, no obligation visit. We’ll provide you with a detailed written quotation and an estimate on the spot. (call Paul on 07812 640 314)

From a design perspective Granite is versatile and can be cut to satisfy the majority of designs. For simple, square surfaces, there’s probably nothing more beautiful than a big slab of granite.

An additional benefit of granite is the facility to create upstands, splashbacks and window-sills. Careful consideration at design stage, combining 30mm thick worktops with 20mm upstands and window-sills can transform an ordinary kitchen into a show-home kitchen.

Dales Granite are Granite Worktop Specialists. We are based in Harrogate and Bradford and cover the whole of Yorkshire. Remember! Just do the Worktops!

Call us now on 01423 873811 or 07812 640 314.

A popular question? And the answer impacts directly on the relative applications – Marble is OK for bathrooms but not really appropriate for kitchen worktops. Here’s Why?

Granite was formed millions of years ago deep underground in the earth’s mantle at very high temperatures. It comprises crystallised minerals (granite, mica, fluorspar and others) and is extremely dense, hardwearing and when cut and polished makes an ideal worksurface. Cared for properly a granite worktop will be functional and beautiful for at least our lifetime!

Marble (including limestones, travertines, onyxes) is sedimentary rock – formed from sea-shells, vegetation, animals – compressed underwater that over thousands of years have solidified. It’s not as hard as granite and due to its calcium content is subject to damage by acidic liquids like vinegar, lemon juice, redwine.

So – Granite and Marble are very different – and its important because granite is great for kitchen worktops – whilst marble is more appropriate for bathrooms.

Dales Granite supply beautiful granite worktops direct to customers’ kitchens in Harrogate and the rest of North Yorkshire.

Call us now for a free, no-obligation, no hard-sell quotation and advice.

Call Paul on 07812 640 314

Last Friday (5th November) we installed some Star Galaxy worktops in  a kitchen in Harrogate. The customer was delighted with the end result.

However, she wasn’t delighted with our punctuality!

We had told her we’d be with her just before noon – having another installation in Skipton first thing. Fine, no problem.

However, due to circumstances unforeseen and beyond our control, we were in Skipton much longer than anticipated. We eventually arrived with our Harrogate lady at 2.30pm! She was very unhappy and we completely understand why.

If we had explained that we might be late (because granite installations are complex and can be unpredictable) and if we had phoned her asosoon as we knew we were held up – her perception would have been very different. We were guilty – not of being late – but of not seeing the issue from our customer’s point of view.

As a result of this feedback we are developing a  Customers’ Charter . This will set out standards of customer service that will clearly set out how we will work and communicate with our customers.

At Dales Granite we are constantly looking for ways to improve our business – not just our product but our service. We actively encourage feedback and incorporate it into our future performance.

This week we completed a small but very satisfying project in Rayleigh Road, Harrogate.

The brief was to replace a small island style Breakfast Bar with a larger one. The challenge was to achieve a match between the existing granite (a lovely Bon Accord) and the new addition.

Bon Accord is a dark and relatively flat or plain granite – so fortunately relatively easy to match.

Having identified a matching slab – we liaised with the client on site to create a template – incorporating an attractive curved finish, maximising the worksurface available within the constraints of the room and practicalities of walkways and safe kitchen working.

Our client was delighted with the result. Dales Granite will rise to any challenge, no matter how small the project. We will work closely to achieve a result that is practical, safe and attractive.

Like most industries the Granite Worktops business has its jargon.

“Upstands” is a term that causes confusion amongst customers – especially when we in the industry assume that you know what they are. This should help:

Definition of Upstands: An upstand is a piece of granite, usually 20mm thick and 100mm high, that is mounted to the wall – at the point where the granite meets the wall. It serves 2 purposes:-

1. It allows the installer a slight tolerance at the point where the granite meets the wall (particularly helpful in older houses where the walls may not be level)
2. It looks good! – it finishes the worktops off really well – creating a sleek and sophisticated finish.

Also – if you’ve got tiles – the upstands can be cut to size to come to the top of the first tile from the worktop – resulting in a finish that looks as tho the tiles were installed at the same time (this can save the expense of removing/replacing your tiles if you’re happy with them)

NOTE: Splashback - is the term when the upstand covers the whole height of the wall between the worktop and thewall units.

Dales Granite will advise as to what will work best in your kitchen when you’re considering just replacing your laminate worktops with beautiful granite.

Most people will have a budget in mind when considering installing new granite worktops. It’s important that you don’t miss any of the less obvious costs of upgrading to granite. Here’s a checklist:

• Removal/disposal of existing worktops
• Removal of tiles/replaster/re-tile/redecorate
• Disconnection of your sink/tap
• New Sink/Tap
• Reconnection of new sink/tap
• Disconnection of Hob (Gassafe/Corgi may be needed)
• New Hob and connection
• GRANITE !

Many granite suppliers just supply granite. Dales Granite will outline all your options and associated costs and will manage the whole process for you. A ‘turnkey’ solution. We’re flexible to suit you.

A question I’m often asked by customers thinking about replacing their laminate kitchen worktops is “What’s the difference between Granite and Quartz worktops?” The answer is quite simple – Granite is a completely natural product which has been mined/cut/polished and sealed. Quartz worktops are made by mixing elements such as granite, mineral quartz and silica into a man-made resin.

If you consider worktops on a scale -

• Granite (purely natural) is at one end
• Corian (wholly man-made – like plastic) is at the other end
• Quartz – somewhere in between

Granite tends to be less expensive on the whole and is resistant to heat. Because it is naturally porous it needs to be sealed periodically – a quick and easy process.

Quartz comes in a broad colour spectrum, is non-porous but may be subject to damage by heat and exposure to sunlight over time.