There is no doubt that granite countertops are going to cost more than almost any other type of countertop that is sold today. It is nothing to pay $5,000 or more, to have a beautiful slab of rock cut down, polished and brought into your kitchen but it is worth it. There is no other material that is going to look as good, be as durable and increase the value of your property.When you go to remodel your kitchen, you must look at it as an investment. Of course, you are looking for a more functional space and updated equipment but a kitchen makeover is also going to add to the value of your home. Study after study have shown that nearly 100% of the money spent on kitchen improvements will be recovered when you sell your home. So, it only makes sense to go with the very best materials. Granite in the kitchen is a luxurious addition that will not only raise your homes selling price but it is also going to make the property sell faster whenever you place it on the market.Builders have discovered the allure of granite countertops and began using them more and more in the kitchens of their high end homes. The more people saw them and the more impressed people became with their beauty, the more in demand they have become. You cannot walk into any home improvement store any longer without seeing slabs of granite outside just waiting for some do it yourselfer to bring it home. Granite has gone mainstream despite the high cost because people recognize its value.After looking good, the second best selling point is the durability. Granite is formed from magma that oozes out of hot volcanoes and hardens as it mixes with other minerals in the earth. Because of the way it has formed, it is heat and crack resistant. Unlike other materials used for countertops, you can set a hot plate that has just come right out of the oven on granite and it will not burn. The stone is also so hard that when something gets dropped on it, the granite will not chip or crack (unfortunately the item that you have dropped may not fare as well).The top selling points of laminate countertops and composite material like Corian have been the wide variety of colors and styles that they come in however the more granite is mined around the world, the wider the selection of stone. It is found on every continent around the world and each piece is unique. You will never find the same speckling or marbling effects in two different pieces. Make sure that your countertop, if it has to be installed in separate pieces, comes from the same slab so that the two pieces are similar enough that when they are seemed together they match. If your counter includes a corner, it is a very good idea to have a professional installer put it in. When the seams are joined together it is crucial to make sure there are no gaps and the connection is perfectly level.

If you need to increase the value of your home, for whatever reason, start renovating your kitchen for the best return on investment. There are many ways to go about this, by either gutting the room completely or by small improvements.Demolishing and beginning from scratch will probably give you a gorgeous room that you can admire, but it will be an expensive renovation. The good news is that you don’t have to go all the way. You can improve some things and still end up with an impressive room.For one thing, changing the cupboard doors only, instead of all the cupboards will save you huge amounts of money. Unfortunately, this too can be too expensive for some. Therefore, if you are in such a predicament, try changing the color of the cupboards with a fresh coat of paint. In addition to that, you should perhaps put new handles on the doors and drawers.Even this will freshen up the room and give it a whole new look. You can even go a step further and paint the backsplash as well. That’s right, you can paint the ceramic backsplash. All you need to do is sand the ceramics down so that they are dull, prime them and paint them a color of your choice.Changing your counter top is also a great way to get a new look in your kitchen, as it takes up a lot of visual space. The best part is that a new counter is not as expensive as you may think. There are many different options too. In fact, if you are a little handy, perhaps you can go with a granite or marble tile counter top. This isn’t as difficult as it may sound, and the results are incredible. You get to have a high-end looking counter at a minimal cost.The flooring is also a consideration when renovating. Many people like ceramic tiled floors. But you can go a step further and add radiant heat for ultimate comfort during those cold winters. You can really make a good return on your investment if you do this work on your own.Or, hardwood flooring is another option. Many homeowners are now installing hardwood floors instead of other traditional flooring options. It gives the room instant warmth and style. They are timeless, as well. On the other hand, tiles become dated as styles change.No matter what type of renovating and improving you do to your kitchen, there is a very good chance that you will make all your money back, especially if you do it wisely.