Gorgeous black countertops win hearts.
Many people have expressed interest in solid black as a color for their granite countertops. As more homeowners are interested in black stone, especially, matte or honed and leathered versions of Absolute Black countertops, there is some misinformation which needs to be addressed. There are several things one should be aware of before the purchase of an Absolute Black countertop. We are going to try to clear up some of the confusion about it.
First, before you commit to black, you’ll want to do some research. Honed and leather are options for people who want to get away from glossy, thinking that it seems dated and will show more dirt and fingerprints. But, in fact, black will show every speck of dust and fingerprint and even honed and leathered options are not immune.
What is absolute black?
Depending on who you ask, ‘black’ could be anything from Absolute Black, which is the gold standard of black countertops, or it could be a gray or dark-colored slab which has been dyed or treated by a shady supplier. Even if they slap the name "Absolute Black' on the label, since the industry is unregulated, there is no recourse. But, a mislabeled slab can cause problems down the road.
It becomes highly desirable to procure an Absolute Black countertop from a reputable dealer or supplier. Make sure that you see the actual slab which is going to be installed beforehand. There is too much variation in slabs, even those from the same quarry with the same name, to ignore this step.
Maintenance
Black countertops take more extra daily work to keep them looking nice for a couple of reasons. They don’t have the variegation or patterns of other stones which generally hide crumbs and fingerprints. This means that black can highlight every drop of water, print, and clutter because it’s a ‘black background’. This 'highlighting' means that everything you do on your countertop is going to show if you don't clean it up.
Stains
Absolute Black is a stone which is so dense that it doesn't stain. But, that also means an impregnating-type sealer won’t work on it. It’s simply too dense. Alternatively, a color-enhancing sealer can be used on honed black countertops to both darken the gray and give it a wet look which makes prints and crumbs show less.
'Created black' is prone to etching like marble, so it can stain and be chemically affected by certain substances. Whitish etching spots on dyed black granite are very noticeable, so know your supplier! Gray or dark marble which has been dyed black is not Absolute Black marble.
Now that you're aware of some of the misconceptions surrounding Absolute Black countertops, you may be like scores of other homeowners and decide to get them, anyway. Because, in spite of everything, the look of black countertops can be irresistible. If you want a black countertop and are willing to forego the dramatic 'one color' option, consider one of the many other black varieties which are some variation of black, but with additional characteristics.
If you have a home, business or rental property in the Metro Phoenix area and are considering upgrading with granite countertops or other stonework features, call us here at JDM Countertops at 602-461-7559.
