Why people still choose granite
Granite formed from cooling molten rock, and its grains of quartz, feldspar and mica give it depth that a manufactured surface can only imitate. It is very hard, resists scratches from everyday use and copes with warm pans better than resin-bound quartz, although a trivet is still the sensible habit.
The colour range runs from near-black and deep green to speckled greys and creams. Darker granites tend to hide crumbs and water marks; lighter ones show the pattern of the stone more.
See the slab, not just a sample
A small sample shows the colour but not the movement across a full slab. Some granites are even and speckled; others have bands, clusters or veins that change from one end of the slab to the other. If the pattern matters to you, ask to see photographs of the actual slabs your worktops will be cut from, and agree where the most striking areas will sit.
Each slab has a fixed size, so a long run or a large island may need a join. We show you where joins would go before cutting.
Finishes and sealing
Polished granite has a deep shine that brings out the colour. Honed granite is smooth and matt; leathered (or brushed) granite has a gentle texture that hides fingerprints. Matt finishes can make some stones look lighter and may need sealing more often.
Granite is porous to differing degrees. Many dense granites barely absorb anything; paler and more open-grained stones benefit from an impregnating sealer, reapplied when water stops beading on the surface. At handover you'll know exactly what your stone needs.
Granite in older Barnet houses
Many homes around New Barnet, East Barnet and Finchley are Victorian or Edwardian, and their walls are rarely straight or square. That is one reason we template rather than cut from a tape measure: the template follows the wall so the back edge sits tight, and any upstand or splashback hides less of a gap.
Granite is heavy. In an upstairs kitchen, a flat or a house with a narrow hall, longer pieces may need a join so they can be carried in safely. Tell us about stairs and tight turns when you enquire.
Care with hard water
Limescale is a fact of life here: Barnet was ranked the hardest of 32 London boroughs in a 2024 comparison of Thames Water data. On granite, limescale is easy to remove from a sealed surface with a pH-neutral stone cleaner. Avoid vinegar and strong acidic descalers, which can dull the polish and strip the sealer on some stones.
Getting a granite price
Tell us the colours you are considering, the layout and rough sizes, the sink and hob, and any upstands. The price depends on the stone, how many slabs the layout needs, the edges and cut-outs, and access. Use the quote form to send the details.
Questions people ask
How often does granite need sealing?
That varies from stone to stone. Many dense, darker granites need little or none; lighter and more porous ones benefit from sealing every year or two. A simple test: if drops of water darken the stone within a few minutes, it is time to reseal.
Will my granite look like the sample?
The colour will, but the pattern can vary across a slab. If that matters, ask to see the actual slabs before they are cut.
Will an undermounted sink work with granite?
Yes. Granite suits undermounted sinks well. The cut-out edge is polished, and grooves for draining can be routed into the surface beside it.