27

Nov

5 Granite Countertops Colors You Can’t Go Wrong With

Granite is 100% natural, and due to this, it comes in a wide range of colors defined by geological occurrences. Granite countertops are also easy to maintain, so you can have peace of mind that when you install them, you won’t spend a fortune maintaining them.

One of the essential factors to consider when buying the countertops is the color of the pieces. When buying the countertops, choose a color that blends with the other kitchen accessories. Confused about the right color to go for? Here are excellent options you should try out:

White

It’s the most popular granite color. When most homeowners think about granite, this is the first color that comes into their mind. The varying mix of minerals in the countertops gives them a color that runs from a salt and pepper look to a creamy white background accented by black and light gray specs.

White granite also has veining variations that run from light gray to dark gray striations, which gives the countertops an extremely versatile look.

White countertops make a great choice when you have recently installed new appliances and trim to your kitchen. For a contemporary look, mix the white countertops with modern appliances. You can also create a traditional look by pairing granite with vintage appliances.

While white granite is exceptionally versatile, you should be cautious of the shade you choose as choosing the wrong one will give the kitchen a washed out look.

When you visit the store, ask to see the color options before you settle on a given hue.

While many adverts show granite as pure white, you should note that it’s hard to come across pure-white granite. Most of the white stones come with blue, black, gray, blue, or red flecks.

Gray

Gray granite isn’t popular, but you shouldn’t pass it over. Gray has unique qualities that accentuate the look of the house.

Whether looking for countertops that will become the focal points of your kitchen or you are simply looking for pieces that you can make dough on, you will find gray granite that will compliment your kitchen design.

Two of the most popular options are dark and light gray combinations. Go with dark gray when looking to contrast the furniture. Light gray is ideal when you want to give your kitchen a sense of more space. This means that the light gray is ideal when you have a small kitchen.

Beige

It enjoys almost the same level of versatility as white granite; hence, you can easily find one that will look good in your kitchen. Granite comes in softer, neutral hues that come in yellow, cream, and tan, giving the kitchen a warmer, cozier feel.

Many traditional homeowners gravitate towards beige as it gives the kitchen a natural color that has been sand mixed with crystals.

Black granite

Although, not popular, black granite gives your kitchen an elegant, high-end look. For a classic look, pair the countertops with neutral cabinets. When installing the countertops, you should note that black granite looks great in rooms with large windows that allow in a lot of natural light.

When properly installed, black countertops give the kitchen a subtle, elegant look and at the same time, provide the rooms with a timeless appeal. If you have a small kitchen, avoid the black granite as it will make your kitchen look too small.

If you have a medium-sized kitchen, you can install the countertops, but to reduce the shrinking look, mix them with white cabinetry.

Red granite

The use of red granite dates back to ancient Egypt, where you can find it in ancient Egyptian pyramids. Red granite comes in shades and patterns that range from rich burgundies to bright pinkish reds.

You will even find some of the red granites with white, blue, and even silver highlights. It’s this combination of colors that makes the countertops brilliant to have. If you are on the fence about installing the countertops, install red granite if looking to add an energetic feel to your kitchen.

Many homeowners find the red color too overwhelming. To balance the look, granite installers Rockville recommend you pair the countertops with neutral cabinetry.

14

Nov

Granite Contractors: 4 Ways To Keep Your Countertops In Pristine Condition

 Granite countertops don’t come cheap; therefore, when you install them, you should do the right things that make them last for as long as possible. Some of the things you should do include:

Clean them daily

When you clean the countertops daily, you prevent stains, bacteria, and spills from penetrating the seal and seeping into the stone pores.

Clean the countertops with water and a few drops of dish soap. Mix the two into a spray bottle then spray directly on the counter surfaces. You should then wipe the surfaces with a clean cloth then rinse with clean water.

Cleaning the surfaces frequently also prevents them from getting foggy and grimy with stains. As a result, you have shining countertops.

Avoid things that can destroy the countertops

There are several things that ruin countertops. They include:

Exposing the countertops to hot pans: While granite is highly heat resistant, it doesn’t mean you should consistently place hot pans on it. The hot pan might not leave an instant burn mark on the countertop, but with time, it might scratch the surfaces making the countertops ugly.

Placing items on the countertops: Placing items on the countertops either for functionality or decoration causes scratches. If you place a lot of items on the countertops, you risk creating scratches that tarnish the look of the countertops.

For you to keep the surfaces in top shape, avoid directly placing heavy items such as vases, bowls, and canisters on the countertops. The right thing to do is always to place a mat under the item.

Sitting and standing on the countertops: When you have many people in the kitchen, the countertops provide convenient sitting space. They also make excellent stepping areas when trying to reach for an item at the top shelf.

The pressure you apply on the countertops when you sit or stand on them can cause cracks that are expensive to repair. To avoid it, avoid standing or sitting on the countertops.

Cutting directly on the countertops: Since granite is tough, it’s easy to be tempted to cut directly on it. Cutting directly on the surfaces not only causes damage to the countertops, but it also damages the knife.

For you to avoid damaging your countertops, always have a chopping board with you. Never cut anything directly on the countertops.

Practice good habits

Good habits will go a long way at keeping your countertops in pristine condition. Some of the things you should do include:

Getting rid of spills as soon as they happen: Even if your countertops are sealed, leaving water and other liquids on the surfaces for a long time increases the chances of stains developing. To avoid this, get rid of spills as soon as they happen.

Use specially designed cleaners: While water and dish soap will clean the countertops and get rid of all bacteria and stains, over time, they start making the countertops foggy. For you to give the countertops a shiny look, once in a while use cleaners that are specially designed for granite.

You can visit your local store or ask your granite contractor for recommendations of the right ones to go for.

Use soft sponges and cloths when cleaning: Even if you want to remove stains from the countertops, avoid using scratching, abrasive, or harsh cleaning materials. When cleaning or removing spills from the countertops, use soft and clean cloths.

Seal the countertops

Sealing granite countertops prevents liquids from seeping in and causing stains. When you are installing the countertops for the first time, ask granite installers Montgomery to seal the surfaces with a quality sealer. A good quality sealer should protect the countertops for a few years after which you must reseal the surfaces.

For you to tell the right time to reseal the surfaces, spill a liquid on the countertop. If the surfaces start darkening, it means the liquid is seeping in. Find a reputable contractor to reseal the surfaces.

Parting shot

How you interact with your countertops not only affects how they look, it also determines how long they last. Clean the surfaces regularly, protect them from hot appliances, avoid applying a lot of pressure on them, and you will have countertops you are proud of.

07

Nov

Granite Installers: 6 Factors To Consider When Installing Granite Countertops

The kitchen and bathroom countertops you install in your home significantly affect the look of the room. It also dramatically affects the resale value of the house.

Granite countertops remain the go-to countertop materials for many people as they are durable, easy to maintain, and give the house an elegant look.

Installing the countertops isn’t simply hiring the nearest granite installers. You need to consider plenty of factors for you to choose the right countertop pieces for your surfaces:

Think about the thickness of the countertops

Granite slabs come in three thicknesses: three-quarter inch, one and one-half inch, and one and one-quarter inch.

While it’s up to you to choose the slab size that is right for your home, avoid the one, and one-half inch as attaching the two slabs will bring about plenty of problems in the long run.

Due to the large size of the countertops, glue begins to deteriorate, which creates gaps in the seams along the horizontal edges of the countertops.

The large slabs also easily get damaged, forcing you to keep on repairing the countertops. Sometimes the damage is so extensive that you have to replace the countertops.

Pay attention to the color of the countertops

Granite comes in all types of colors. The color you choose depends on your activities. If your countertops are active and you often use them, go with darker colors as they are less likely to stain.

On the other hand, if you rarely use your countertops, go with lighter colors with a complex pattern. If you have kids and you are always worried about spills, go with countertop surfaces that have a dark color with less of a pattern.

Think about how the countertops will look after installation

Many homeowners make the mistake of buying countertops that look good in the store. While the slabs are pleasant to look at there, they often don’t give your surfaces a good look when you install them.

This is because the floor, the cabinets, and other areas of your kitchen don’t match the countertops.

Before you decide to buy the countertops, first take samples with you to your home. Place them on the surfaces and see how they blend with the rest of the kitchen. For you to have countertop surfaces you will be proud of, try out several slabs and settle on the ones that give your countertops the best look.

Think about the sink

Did you know the style of the kitchen sink has a significant impact on how the countertops look? For a crispy, tidy look, go with an under-mount sink style. Avoid a top-mounted sink as it not only gives your surfaces an ugly, confused look, it also collects bacteria around the visible edges.

For you to install a sink of the right design and size, work with an experienced professional.

Think about the edges of the countertops

The edges affect the overall look of the countertops. So you should be cautious of the ones you go for. Beveled or flat edges look great with a house with modern cabinets. If the cabinets have a traditional design, go with a bullnose edge.

Do you have small children in the house? They are more likely to bump their heads on the edges of granite, so go with round corners.

The contractor you hire will go a long way into helping you choose the right edge design for your countertops.

Pay attention to the number of seams

For the contractors to tightly bind the countertops, they have to use seams.  Granite countertops don’t come cheap, so you don’t want countertop surfaces that look cheap.

According to granite technicians, there is nothing that can give your surfaces a cheap look as many improperly installed seams. For you to reduce the number of seams on the countertops, work with the right contractor.

You also should work with a countertop contractor Rockville who is highly experienced at hiding the seams. You don’t want a professional that lets everyone know where the seams are.

Before you decide to work with a given contractor, ask him/her for photos of previous work. Carefully go through the pictures and find out whether you can automatically tell where the seams are.

01

Nov

6 Granite Countertops Problems And How To Fix Them

Many homeowners install granite countertops as they are durable. Unfortunately, the countertops aren’t impervious to damage. Here are six common problems with granite kitchen countertops and how to fix or prevent them:

Ruptured countertop surfaces

A ruptured countertop gives the kitchen a cheap and unmaintained look. Many homeowners are scared of the rupture as they think they have to replace the entire countertop surfaces. This isn’t the case. If the damage is isolated, you can fix the damaged slab without touching the other areas.

Countertops rupture due to many reasons:

  • Poorly crafted joints
  • Countertops installed over uneven surfaces
  • Failure to give glue enough time to dry during the installation
  • Placing a lot of weight in one area

How you fix the damaged area depends on the extent of the damage. For small cracks, use an adhesive. For deeper cracks or damage brought about by excessive weight, remove the damaged slab using a drill then apply special filler.

To maintain a uniform look, choose a filer that blends seamlessly with the countertops.

Separating seam joints

If you notice the countertops moving and the joints separating after applying pressure on them, the adhesive might have weakened. Hire a professional stone technician to make the right adjustments to the countertops. The expert should remove the existing adhesive and replace it with a better, more durable option.

Avoid doing the replacement by yourself as you risk causing more damage than was originally there.

Dull surfaces

If your countertops are slowly losing their shine, it’s because you are exposing them to harsh cleaning products. Don’t rush to replace the countertops as there are plenty of solutions you can use without having to replace the surfaces.

Hire a professional from your local store to fix the dull granite countertops. He/she can do this by buffing and re-polishing the countertops. Don’t try fixing this problem on your own as you risk making it worse.

To prevent the problem from coming about in the future, watch the type and quality of cleaners you are using. Most cleaners are too harsh for the surfaces; therefore, stay away from them.

For everyday cleaning, go with soap and warm water. Avoid products with chemicals. When in the store, read the ingredients and ensure none can damage the surfaces.

For peace of mind, choose products designed specifically for granite countertops.

Countertop stains

Properly sealed countertops are highly resistant to stains, but when you allow even water to soak in, the countertops easily stain.

Oils, wine, and even fruit juice can penetrate the surfaces leaving stains. Don’t remove the countertops when stains happen. Remove oil stains with a homemade paste made from acetone and baking soda.

When it comes to organic stains, remove them by soaking a paper towel in bleach, then placing it on the affected area.

To prevent the stains from coming about, seal the granite regularly with a high-quality granite sealer. You also should make a habit of wiping the spills as soon as they happen.

Heat damage

Just as granite is resistant to water damage, it’s also resistant to heat damage. Unfortunately, it can be damaged by hot pots and pans. This is because the sealant and finish aren’t as heat resistant as the rest of the stone.

When you repeatedly place hot dishes on the countertops, you leave black marks on the surfaces bringing about thermal shock and even cracks. Extreme heat can also damage the sealer making granite susceptible to stains and acid damage.

For you to prevent the damage, avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on the countertops. Always use hot pads, pot holders, trivets, and other barriers.

If the damage has already happened, how you repair it depends on the extent of the damage. If minor, remove the stain using toothpaste. You can also re-polish the surface. Only consider replacing the countertops if the damage is extensive.

Scratches

Only materials harder than granite can cause scratches. Scratches aren’t a major problem with the countertops, but to avoid them, granite installers Rockville recommend you avoid sliding rings with precious stones across the surfaces.

If they have already happened, applying a thin layer of polish on the surfaces will get rid of most of them. If you have the skills, you can apply the layer, but if you have never done it before, let an expert handle it.