Natural Stone: Affordable Luxury tightening and just “making do,” Americans are again investing for real estate resale. Why? Because natural stone looks good forever, while some countertop remodeling and generally spruc- within a few years. And thearti- (NAPSA}—After a year of belt materials look old and tired in their homes—redecorating, ing up. ficial dyes in many synthetic The reason is simple: With stone counters can look dated quickly. mortgage moneystill restricted, consumers are “improving up” Plus, natural granite counter- rather than moving up. In the past, many families would trade up to homes that offered appeal- tops are absolutely unique, made by Mother Nature—not in a factory that manufactures the same material over and over all day long. ing amenities like nicer kitchens or baths. This year, consumers are looking for ways to get the appealing kitchen or bath upgrade without the expenseof moving. And homeownersare finding that luxury enhancements like natural stone countertops can be very affordable. The timeless stone is unsurpassed in bringing warmth and richness to any room, immediately becoming a focal point. And, while the makers of synthetic countertops have tried to convince consumers that their manufactured products are as good as granite, natural stone remains unbeatable for enhancing the value of a home. Consider what the experts advise. Each month, HGTV’s FrontDoor.com, in partnership with DIYnetwork.com, identifies “maximum value projects” for improving different areas of the home. The partnership recently offered tips “for getting the most value out of kitchen and bath renovations.” The recommendation? “To add beauty, value and buyer appeal to a kitchen, con- sider upgrading countertops to natural stone. Granite, marble, limestone and soapstone are pop- ular options.” The recommenda- There are some options that can help you get the most bang for This lovely, natural stone coun- your buck for granite countertops: granite from Brazil, finished with a Dupont edge. lar variety of granite andit can be tertop is 3cm Copper Canyon tion for bathroom improvement was simpler: “Upgrade to granite countertops.” Stone countertops have become more affordable as demand has increased and as new technology has madeit easier to cut and polish the stone. And the selection is unparalleled—greater than any other countertop surface. “Granite countertops are becomingall the rage,” writes KitchenKool.com, an online consumerinformation guide that does not sell products directly and is not affiliated with any individual manufacturer. “They're almost as hard as diamond,easy to maintain,heat resistant and come in a range of over 3,000 colors to enhance the beauty and usefulness of your kitchenor bath forever.” Studies show that consumers overwhelmingly prefer natural stone over synthetic materials. Andit remainsthe gold standard * Color—Select a more popu- more affordable. Select a more exotic and rare variety and it can cost a bit. more. * Edge Profile—More intri- cate profiles require more work and can increase the cost of the stone. A simpler style still looks elegant but will cost less. * Thickness of Slab—The most popular is the 1%inch slab, but check on the availability of 3%4- inch slabs that provide the same beauty and durability but will likely cost less. The Marble Institute of America (MIA)is the industry’s nonprofit trade group. If you're looking for a supplieror fabricator offine granite or have any other questions about natural stone countertops, the MIA’s Website is a great place to research stone and stone providers. You can find the Marble Institute Web site at www.marble-insti tute.com and you can access a directory of MIA fabricator and supplier members at www.marble- institute.com/directory.
