Prefab Granite Countertops – Buyer's Guide
Prefab granite countertops are a popular choice among home builders. They have a strong surface and they look great on a kitchen or bathroom counter surface. However there are several advantages and disadvantages when you compare prefab granite counter tops vs. natural granite countertops.
Prefab Granite vs. Custom Fabricated Granite Slabs
Probably the main reason why people go for prefabricated granite is the cost benefit. They are much cheaper than the naturally getting someone to custom fabricate from a new slab, and the costs can go down up to 50%. They mainly are used in apartments and housing units where standard sized countertops are required.
They are resistant to scratches and stains and have the ability to withstand high levels of heat. They do not absorb moisture and are really easy to clean. Since their color and polish do not fade easily, they work well in areas with a lot of water or sunshine. However, you should be installing a backsplash since it is very easy to do so.
In contrast, custom countertops made from natural granite slabs are much expensive, but they can be cut to size as requested. Because they are natural stone, each slab will have a unique pattern (similar to rock’s own fingerprint), and often you won’t be able to see it in another home. Make sure they’re properly sealed, so that stains can’t sink into the slabs.
Because of the improvements in manufacturing technologies, most people won’t be able to spot a difference between pre-fab and custom work. Given that you can buy discount granite countertops at a very cheap price, it is a smart decision to go for the prefabricated ones.
Prices of Prefab Granite Countertops
Though granite is not the cheapest, it still remains a popular choice among home builders. Most prefab countertops come in 78”x26” (counter top) size and usually are within the price range of $250 to $350. Other common sizes are 78”x36” (island top) and 37”x37” (90° corner top), but they are also available in few other sizes as well.
This thickness of these slabs are usually 1-1/4” (approx 3cm), and have an eased (rounded) edge. Though 3cm is the standard, you can get discounted 2cm ones as well. Some discount and warehouse suppliers have minimum order values, so please enquire before purchase.
Don’t forget the cost of installation in the kitchen or bathroom and when estimating the final price, take the installation cost into consideration as well. Alternatively, you can do it yourself as a weekend project, if you can borrow the required tools from a friend.
Additional Product Specifications
There is a wide variation of prefab granite countertop designs, and it includes different colors, patterns and finishes. However, not all styles and patterns are available with every supplier.
The following are the most in-demand prefab granite countertop designs nowadays. 
- Baltic Brown
- Black Absolute
- Black Galaxy
- Blue Pearl
- Carioca Gold
- Dakota Mahogany
- Gold Oak
- Emerald Pearl
- Venetian
- Tan Brown
- New Venetian Gold
- Santa Cecilia
Why Granite in the first place?
Granite is a naturally occurring rock which as a medium to coarse grained texture. This gives it a quite distinctive look and it’s often used as a kitchen and bathroom countertop raw material. They come is several shades of colors, while the most common being pink to gray shades. Because they are hard and tough as well as have a great shine when polished, they are very popular as a decorative type of stone.
How to Install a Prefab Granite Countertop
Because they are pre-fabricated, it can be installed as a weekend project by almost anyone. Thus, you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune hiring an expert for completing the task.
Once the prefab granite tops are delivered, you should take the time inspect the items and check how good they are. It is possible for the said items to be damaged in one way or another during delivery, so going each one during delivery is recommended in order for immediate replacement to be ordered. Always inspect on a well lit environment, preferably in natural sun light.
It is expected that upon ordering the items, one has already taken note of the exact measurement of the countertop as well as the pieces of granite ordered, so they fit perfectly. If there are existing countertops, they should be removed completely. After which, the decking should be set up. This is often a ¾” thick plywood that follows the exact shape of the countertop. It is fastened to the cabinetry using 1” screws. Once it is fixed securely to the countertop, a glue compound should then be applied on the plywood's surface. Then, the prefabricated granite top is lifted into its place on the countertop. Most of the time, it is necessary to have some help around since granite is known to snap easily because of its own weight.
