Black never goes out of fashion. This trend does not only apply to that little black dress that we love, or these black pants that go with everything – and last for years. It is a trend that we can also apply to the stone.
2017 is a year of transition. The super spotless white kitchens with various shades of grey walls is starting to fade and we see more and more black taking its place, adding depth and richness to this space at the heart of our lives. But why choose a black granite? There are several simple reasons:
For its elegance – black goes well with everything, even those beautiful white cabinets that you paid a good price not so long ago!
For its versatility – because black granits are often denser than more exotic granites and in most cases does not have a resin applied to the slab, it can be used throughout the home and even outdoors. You have a countertop to change, a floor to revamp, a wall that needs a focal point, an exterior façade that needs a little love, an outdoor kitchen dream or even a custom-made bench or vanity to create? There are no limits to creativity!
For its ease of maintenance – Granite is not hard to maintain. A soft clean cloth and soapy water will address most of a day’s spills (and even those finger marks left behing by your little munchkins!). A specialized stone cleaner can be used for occasional deep cleaning. Also, most of the time, sealers are not required because of the stone’s density (of course, there are exceptions, better speak with our experts!)
For its origins – Did you know that certain black granites come from North America? Indeed, Cambrian Black and Kodiak are quarried in Canadian soil. Encouraging North-American businesses in this case does not only result in a sensible and durable investment, but a gorgeous one at that!
For its shine – Black, when chosen with a polished finish, will reflect light beautifully. For those who fear that a black surface will darken the room, fear no more! All you need are bright colors to give it energy. You are wary of having to wipe off fingermarks all day or want a cozier feel? Then the honed or antique finishes are for you! These textures add style to any room.
The big question is : Which granite is the best. There are as many good answers as there are projects. When dealing with natural stone, we cannot really speak of “quality”. Rather, we speak of inherent characteristics for each stone. For example, stones with a more uniform coloration (also known as “solid”) are more versatile and can be used outdoors whereas stones with movement (often with a fiberglass backing to safekeep the stone during transportation and fabrication) are more appropriate for indoor applications. Generally speaking, here are the most popular choices per category:
Granites with solid coloration used indoors:
- Absolute Black
- Black Galaxy
- Black Pearl
- Black Galaxy
- Cambrian Black
- Kodiak
- Ubatuba
Granites with solide coloration used outdoors:
- Absolute Black
- Black Galaxy
- Black Pearl
- Black Galaxy
- Cambrian Black
Exotic Granits with movement used indoors
- Amelia Ridge (with shades of black, grey and cream)
- Titanium (with shades of black, gold and cream)
- Via Lactéa (with a deep black with fine white lines)
- White Mist (with a black and white motif)
You are still uncertain of the best selection for your needs and personality? Tell us about your project!