28

May

How Can You Tell Quality Of Granite?

If you have been shopping for granite countertops, you must have realized that they don’t come cheap. This calls for you to be cautious when purchasing, so you buy high-quality granite surfaces that will look good for long and last for a long time.

Wondering how can you tell quality of granite? There are plenty of ways you can go about it. To help you out, here are some of these ways:

Check the price

This is a dead giveaway. Like any other product, low-quality granite will sell at a much lower price. Hence, if you pop into a countertop store and you find the countertops selling at a lower price than the standard  market prices, chances are the countertops are poor quality, and you should look elsewhere.

Check the color and pattern.

Another way to tell the quality of the stone is to check the color and patterns. As you are inspecting the stone, you should note that granite is natural, so like any other natural product, you should expect diversity, so if you come across a slab with the same color and pattern, it’s most likely not natural granite, and you should avoid buying it.

As mentioned, granite is a natural product, so you should expect every granite slab to be unique. This means that the color, texture, and veins on the countertop surface shouldn’t be the same in all sections of the slab.

Tap the countertop

Did you know you can tell the quality of the slab by simply tapping on it? When you are in the countertop store, simply give the countertop a tap and listen to the sound. A natural, good-quality granite should give a ringing sound when tapped, while a cheap, manufactured granite, won’t give the ringing sound.

The poor quality granite won’t make the unique sound because it’s made from resins and quartz crystals that are non-porous, and due to this, the sound produced will be muted or dull.

Do the water test

It might sound like you have to go to the laboratory and test, but this isn’t the case. All you have to do is to pour water on a granite slab and see how it behaves.

If the granite slab is natural and of good quality, it should absorb water, but the water should run off the slab if low quality.

This is because manufactured granite is made from epoxy resins that are nonporous, so they won’t absorb water after pouring it there.

Natural granite, on the other hand, will absorb water. The easiest way to tell that the stone is absorbing water is by looking at the stone. Does the stone darken as the water stays on the surface?

Inspect the granite seams

If you have already installed the countertops, you want to confirm whether you installed the right pieces and take a look at the seams.

If the countertop is poor quality or artificial, it won’t have any change in the pattern along the seams, but with real, good-quality granite, you will have a noticeable change in pattern.

Although most experienced contractors do a good job at minimizing the pattern change as they are lining up the seams, you should still see the seam changes on a closer look.

Check the polish quality.

In the same way, you would judge the quality of a car by the quality of paint, you should judge the quality of granite by the quality of the polish.

As you can expect, the higher the granite quality, the better the polish quality.

The best way to tell the quality of the polish is to gently brush a coin on the polished granite surface. If the surface easily scrapes, the polish and the granite countertop are low quality, but it’s high quality if the polish is resistant to the impact.

Measure the granite thickness

The final thing you should pay attention to the thickness of the slab. According to granite installers Potomac, you should avoid thin granite as it will not only be unpleasant to look at but also brittle upon installation as it can easily break even from the slightest impact.

21

May

Replacing Kitchen Countertops On A Budget? 7 Countertop Options To Choose From

If your countertops are damaged, worn out, or you want to revamp your kitchen or bathroom, you should contact countertop replacement services providers to replace the countertops.

If you have a large budget for the work, you do not worry as you can use any material you want, but you can only go with cheap materials if you are working on a tight budget.

Thinking about replacing kitchen countertops on a budget? There are several countertop materials you can go with. The most common ones being:

Laminate

Although laminate countertops were popular a few decades ago, you can still install them in your home at an affordable price. The beauty of modern laminates is that you can find countertops that resemble almost anything. Thanks to advances in technology, you can find laminate countertops mimicking stone, wood, and other materials.

The main flaw with laminate is it tends to easily scratch, so you need to be cautious when preparing your meals or cleaning so you don’t cause substantial damage. Thankfully, you can reduce the chances of scratching by sealing the countertops. When doing it, ensure that you use sealant materials specifically designed for laminate countertops.

Cultured marble

This is faux marble that resembles real marble but comes at a much lower price. The countertops are made from a mixture of polyester resin and pigments, marble dust and fillers.

These surfaces replicate the marble appearance, but they are more stain-resistant than the real marble, making them easier to maintain.

Paint

Many people use paint to revamp their walls, but did you know you can also transform your counters using it? The cool thing is you can easily paint the surfaces by yourself without requiring the services or contractor.

All you need to do is to find a color that will give your surfaces a brand new look you are looking for. You can paint any counter surface, so whether you want to transform tile, laminate, solid surface or any other surface, you can definitely use paint.

Bamboo

Bamboo isn’t the most popular countertop material, but it can give your surfaces a unique natural look when properly done.

Bamboo surfaces are known to be stylish, tough, and eco friendly. The only flaw with them is they require significant levels of maintenance. For example, you need to paint them or seal them, so they aren’t damaged by water.

Tiles

Are you looking for durable countertops, but you are operating on a tight budget? These are the countertops to go for. Besides being tough, the countertops are colorful, so they will significantly transform your surfaces with their unique colors.

To make the countertops more appealing, use them in conjunction with plainer, more affordable styles.

Wood

Wood or butcher block counters add warmth to your surfaces and give them a unique natural look. The beauty of wood is it’s cheaper than stone countertops, so you will save a significant amount of money by installing them.

Bamboo and maples are two of the most popular wooden countertop materials, but you can install any other wooden countertops of your choice. When you install them, you should note that the countertops require regular oiling to prevent them from wood-boring insects. You may also have to seal the surfaces to prevent them from water damage.

Stainless steel

Although a good quality stainless steel countertop isn’t cheap, a properly constructed custom made steel countertop can double as a kitchen island, meaning you don’t need to build a kitchen island, and as you can imagine, this saves you a lot of money.

The cool thing is many freestanding stainless steel counters provide plenty of storage space beneath, so you don’t need to construct storage cabinets for your produce.

Recycled glass

This is a new entrant in the market and has quickly risen in popularity. Recycled glass surfaces are made by mixing pieces of recycled glass with cement and other binders. At first look, the countertops are beautiful and easy to maintain, but this isn’t the case.

You need to be ultra-cautious when preparing your meals or placing hard objects on the countertops as they can easily chip or break. So like granite countertops Rockville and other countertop materials, you need to be careful, so you don’t damage them.

14

May

4 Disadvantages of Granite Countertops

Although granite counters are one of the most popular countertop materials in the market, they aren’t perfect. Like other materials, they come with their fair share of negatives that you should be aware of if installing them for the first time. To help you out, here are 4 disadvantages of granite countertops and how to go around them:

They are prone to heat damage.

Although the countertops are tough and heat resistant, they aren’t heatproof. While you might get away with placing hot pots and pans on them a few times, repeatedly doing so increases the chances of leaving an ugly scar on the countertops, and you are forced to replace them.

It’s true the countertops are prone to heat damage, but you can prevent it from coming about. One way to do so is to never place hot pots or pans directly on them. When cooking, always have a trivet or hot pad in the kitchen.

If you don’t have the protective devices in place, don’t remove the hot pot from the stove. Let it cool and only place it on the countertops when it has completely cooled.

They are highly susceptible to staining.

Granite is porous in nature. This means that when a liquid or any substance spills on the countertops, it quickly moves to the stone’s inner layers and stains it.

While this is the case, it doesn’t mean that you should avoid installing the countertops simply because they will stain. You can prevent the staining from occurring in the first place.

One way to do it is to seal the countertops. At the time of installation, ask the contractors to seal the surfaces. You also should seal them at least once a year to maintain the protective barrier.

The purpose of sealing the countertops is to reduce the surface’s porosity, so the liquids don’t absorb too quickly.

Although the liquids won’t absorb quickly when you seal granite countertops, it doesn’t mean that you should start spilling the liquids haphazardly on the countertops. Remember, even if the countertops are sealed, the liquids can still seep through and stain the surfaces, so keep any liquids off the countertops.

When a spill happens, move fast and remove it before it soaks into the deeper layers.

The granite surfaces tend to harbor bacteria.

The granite pores that allow water to seep through also harbor bacteria. If you haven’t sealed the countertops, wiping a cleaning towel across the unsealed surface pushes the food, liquid and bacteria in the pores where they grow and develop, and they can be harmful to your health.

For example, if you cut meat or vegetables directly on the countertops, the bacteria will get into your food leading to food poisoning upon eating the food.

One way to reduce the bacteria population is to seal the countertops. You also should disinfect the surfaces at least once a week.

Granite countertops are heavy.

Even when you are in the stores, on picking the countertops, you will notice that they are heavy. While the heavy nature of the countertops might mean the countertops are tough and indestructible, it brings about an installation challenge.

If you had not thought it through when building the cabinets, placing the heavy granite slabs on the weak cabinets will bring about a plethora of problems, including binding, cracking or even the ultimate breaking of the cabinets.

The weighty nature of the slabs also means that the granite contractor you hire can’t do the work by himself or with his assistant—he has to hire many people to help with the installation, which increases the installation cost.

To counter this, hire the right contractor from the word go. The experienced contractor will help you install the right cabinets that will carry the countertop’s weight.

Installing the countertops isn’t cheap, but you don’t have to redo it when you hire an experienced contractor that knows what they are doing.

If you are looking to install granite on your surfaces, don’t be in a hurry to settle on the first granite installer you come across. Take your time and interview several granite countertop installers Rockville, then settle on the most qualified.

Remember, installing the countertops is expensive, and you don’t want someone that will install the countertops, then you will have to redo them.

30

Apr

What Color Granite Is Cheapest?

Granite countertops don’t come cheap, and one of the factors that affect the price of the countertops is the countertop’s color. Common colors such as white and black are cheaper compared to rare colors such as green and red. This means that if you are looking to save money, you should go for common countertop colors.

Are you wondering what color granite is cheapest? Tan and black granite are the cheapest, so if you are strapped for money, these are the ones to go for. While this is the case, there are plenty of other cheaper alternatives, including white granite, that you can buy if tan or black isn’t your color. These cheaper alternatives include:

Dallas white

Although it’s known as Dallas, this isn’t where it’s mined. The countertop is quarried in Aguia Branca, Brazil. The countertop is characterized by low water absorption and low porosity, making it an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

The countertop has a white background and dark crystals scattered throughout, giving your home an interesting appeal.

Although, most slabs have crystals, it’s not uncommon to find some slabs with brown or golden cream veins that make the countertop resemble an abstract art painting.

Due to the tight grain structure of the countertop, you don’t have to install a face resin on the countertops. The lack of resin means that you can place a hot pot on the countertop without worrying about damaging the countertops.

Although, the countertops are tough to take the heat, you should note that continued exposure to heat increases the chances of damaging them. To protect the countertops from damage, use a trivet or a hot pad every time you place a hot object on the countertops.

To get the most from the countertop, ensure that it’s installed by a professional. The Dallas white color pairs excellently with white cabinetry, but if you don’t want your entire bathroom or kitchen to be white, pair it with dark wood cabinetry such as dark walnut.

Azul Platino

Azul Platino has been around for hundreds of years, and it features an off-white background with small bluish-gray specks. It’s also common for the slabs to have black spots or even black or white veining.

Most of the Azul Platino slabs are large, making them ideal choices for kitchen islands and other areas where you need to install large-sized slabs.

Uba Tuba

It’s named after the place it’s mined. Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. Besides being affordable, the countertop is also beautiful, and when you properly install and take good care of it, it will last for a long time. The countertop features a dark green background with brown, green, and gold flecks scattered across the granite slab.

In some cases, the slab has small veins that can be white, gold, or turquoise.

When you install the countertops, pair them with dark cabinetry to bring out exciting features. You can also pair them with white cabinetry for an elegant contemporary look.

New Caledonia

This is another countertop quarried in Brazil. Although it’s natural, it’s unique in that it has a uniform look such that two slabs look almost similar.

The natural stone countertop features a white background with gray or brown speckles that run uniformly throughout the slab giving it an interesting look. The heavy grain pattern makes it easy to hide the stains, so you don’t have to worry when liquids and foods spill on the countertops.

Since the countertop has a uniform look, it perfectly fits both traditional and contemporary kitchens and bathrooms. To bring out the brown and bedrock minerals, pair them with dark wood-stained cabinetry. On the other hand, if you want to bring out the charcoal flecking, pair it with light cabinetry.

Valle Nevado

It’s one of the most popular, affordable countertop granite colors, and it’s loved for its ability to coordinate with many design styles. The countertop features a tight grain structure that minimizes the need to apply a resin to it.

Due to its versatility, you can effectively pair it with both black or white cabinetry. When you pair it with white cabinetry, you bring out the tiny back crystals. On the other hand, when you pair it with black cabinetry, you bring out the pale gray tone of the countertop.

The key to getting the most from it is to work with experienced granite installers Rockville that know what they are doing.

21

Apr

Can You Put A Hot Pan On Quartz?

Quartz countertops are manmade and tough and due to their tough nature, you will hear some homeowners asking, can you put a hot pan on quartz?

While the countertops are tough and heat-resistant, they aren’t heatproof. This means that the counters can be resistant to the heat to a certain degree, after which they can’t deal with the high temperatures. This means you might get away with placing the hot pan on the countertops once or twice but continuing with it will cause serious damage to the surfaces.

To answer your question about whether you can put hot pans on quartz, no, you shouldn’t.

What other things shouldn’t you do to the countertops?

Besides exposing the countertops to a lot of heat, there are plenty of other things you shouldn’t do to your countertops. Some of these things include:

Don’t ignore spills

Quartz is tough, but you shouldn’t test it. When spills happen, move with haste and remove them before they get worse. You should especially move with haste and remove them if they are juice, wine, vinegar, juice, or tea.

The reason you should remove these liquids is because they can be corrosive or acidic to the countertops and damage them. You don’t want this, do you?

Don’t cut directly on the countertops.

Quartz is one of the toughest materials in the market, as it’s fortified with manmade polymers that make it even tougher. While the countertop is tough, don’t cut directly on it. This is because the sharp knives will scratch the surface, giving them an ugly look.

Whenever you are looking to cut anything in the kitchen, use a cutting board. Don’t cut directly on the countertop, as you will damage it.

Don’t use harsh cleaning products.

You may want your countertops to look their best, so you might be tempted to use the toughest cleaning products such as bleach and others, but don’t go that route. While bleach and other high pH cleaners are highly effective, you shouldn’t use them as they can damage your surface.

You should note that regardless of how dirty the countertops look, you don’t need tough cleaning products to keep them clean. Mild soap and water are enough to give the surfaces a clean look and also remove bacteria and minor stains that might be forming.

Don’t slide things on the countertops.

Quart counters can stand a lot of abuse, but you can protect them from scratches and other forms of damage by being cautious about how you handle them. As a rule of thumb, don’t move ceramic, metal dishes, or utensils along the countertop surfaces.

You also shouldn’t slide knives and other potentially abrasive materials across the countertops, as they can leave black marks that might be difficult or impossible to remove.

Don’t use permanent markers on the countertops.

It’s tempting to let the kids do their homework on the kitchen island as you are making dinner. While you love your kids and want to spend as much time with them as possible, don’t let them do their school projects on the counters, especially if the projects involve permanent markers.

This is because it’s only a matter of time before the kids start doodling on the countertops with the permanent markers. And as you can guess, the permanent markers will adhere to the countertop surface and become hard to remove. In fact, you can’t remove the marker with anything else other than a harsh chemical that has high chances of causing damage.

If you have to have the kids in the kitchen, ensure they are using water-based markers. If the kids play with sharp objects, protect the surfaces, so they don’t damage the counters.

In conclusion,

These are some of the things you shouldn’t do to your quartz kitchen countertops Potomac. For the countertops to retain their look for a long time, you need to show love to them. Remember, you installed them for their strong, gorgeous, and easy-to-maintain look, so you need to take good care of them.

As a rule of thumb, avoid all of the above and clean the counters regularly. You also should register the countertops as soon as you buy them to activate the warranty.

12

Apr

Can Heat Ruin Granite Countertops?

Can heat ruin granite countertops? The simple answer is yes, heat can damage your countertops. Although granite is tough and heat-resistant, it isn’t heatproof. While the countertops might not get damaged the first time you place a hot pan or pot on them, continued heat exposure is bound to damage them.

What can you do to protect your countertops?

As mentioned above, you can get away with placing hot items directly on the granite surfaces, but if you repeatedly do it, you are pushing your luck too far, and it becomes a matter of when you will ruin your countertops.

To avoid this, make it a habit to place a trivet or hot pad on the countertops all the time. This way, even when you are in a hurry to remove the hot pot from the fire, you can easily reach the trivet and place it there instead of placing it directly on the countertops.

If you don’t have a trivet, don’t take the hot pot from the fire and place it directly on the countertop. Instead, give it a few minutes to cool down, after which you can place it on the countertops. This means that when the food is ready, you should switch off your stove and let the pot cool.

Before you place the pot on the countertops, remember to wipe the pot’s underside to remove any black or burn marks that would damage the granite surface.

What should you do to already damaged countertops?

If your countertops have already been ruined, try to restore them using pastes and liquids. There are plenty of special creams and solutions that you can use to polish your granite surfaces and remove any stains and marks on them.

The cool thing is you don’t need to hire a professional to help remove the stains—you can easily do it on your own. You should rub the burn marks from the countertops using creams and solutions, but if some marks are hard to remove, ask a contractor to look into them.

If there are burn marks that don’t come off even after using a professional service, try to use your warranty and get a replacement.

What other things shouldn’t you do to your granite surfaces?

Other than not placing hot items directly on the countertops, there are plenty of other things you shouldn’t do to keep your surfaces in top shape. Some of these things include:

Don’t work with raw meat on granite surfaces.

Raw meat looks harmless, and it’s true it will not hurt your granite, but it harbors plenty of bacteria that can get to the other foods you prepare on the surfaces. Many homeowners also cleanse their surfaces after preparing meat on them, which can be harmful, especially when they use harsh products to do the cleansing.

Don’t stand on the countertops.

The countertops are made from stone, so there is no harm in standing on them, right? Wrong. Although the countertops are made from natural rock, the rock has veins, fissures, and striations that can crack when you place a lot of weight on them.

To keep your countertops in top shape, don’t sit, stand or place any heavy item on the countertops, especially on the edges.

If you have to reach the top shelf or change the light bulbs, don’t step on the countertops. Instead, have a stool or ladder in place.

Some people sit on the countertops as they are preparing meals. Don’t do this, and to fight the temptation, have a chair in the kitchen.

Don’t wash your children in the under-mount kitchen sink

The kitchen sink might seem like a fun place to wash your kids, especially if the sink is large, but you shouldn’t do it. While the sinks are often strongly secured to the bottom of the countertops, regularly using the sink as a bathtub can loosen the sink mounting.

According to granite countertop installers Rockville, if your kids are large, they can put a lot of weight on the countertops and crack the striations.

For your countertops to last for a long time, use the sink to only wash the utensils. If you want to wash the kids in a fun way, do it in the bathroom.

30

Mar

How Do I Get The Best Deal On Granite Countertops?

Although granite counters are beautiful and significantly improve the house’s look, they don’t come cheap. Fortunately, you can do several things to get the countertops at a good price. Are you wondering how do I get the best deal on granite countertops? There are plenty of ways, with the most common ones being:

Shop around and compare prices

What do most homeowners do when they are looking to buy granite counters? They visit the first granite shop and make the purchase. In most cases, they do this because they are in a hurry to get things done and move on to the next thing. This is wrong as they often end up spending too much money than they should have.

To save money and get the best deal, take your time and visit different granite stores and see what they offer. Of course, you should only consider buying from a store stocking high-quality stones at a low cost.

You can’t have ample time if you start your research late, so to ensure you have as much time as you need, start scouting for countertops at least 3 months before you embark on your project.

Buy wholesale

When you buy anything wholesale, you save a lot of money, and you should do the same when you are buying granite counters. The cool thing is most granite stores will sell you the countertops at wholesale prices when you are buying many slabs. There are even some stores that will sell you one slab at a wholesale price—you only need to look.

Be flexible with granite color.

One of the prime factors affecting the price of countertops is the color of the slab, where the rare colors cost more than the easier-to-find colors. As you can guess, this means that if you are looking for a specific rare color, you end up paying a premium for your countertops.

To save money and get a perfect deal, you should be flexible in your color choice. The beauty is since granite is natural, it comes in plenty of colors to choose from. If you are in the granite store and find that your desired granite color is expensive than your budget, choose a cheaper color that is close to your color of choice.

Order from a local supplier

While you can buy the granite slabs from anywhere in the world, it’s good you buy them from your local supplier. The reason for this is because the slabs will be cheaper to transport from the local supplier to your home.

Granite slabs are heavy, and if you ship them from a long-distance, they can cost you an arm and a leg, and you don’t want this, do you?

Granite sellers ship their products in bulk, so they don’t spend as much money as you would if you shipped just a few slabs for your kitchen.

To save even more money on transport, ask the seller if they can transport the slabs for you, for free.

Go for granite remnants.

If you are looking for small granite slabs for certain kitchen elements, such as the backsplash behind the stove, don’t spend a lot of money on whole granite slabs. Instead, get granite remnants.

These are small granite chunks that are leftover from previous projects.

Since they are leftover and often too small to fit an entire kitchen, they are cheaper than entire slabs.

When you are in the granite store, ask for the remnants, and you will get them at a low price, which sees you saving a lot of money.

Go with a standard eased edge.

The type of edge you install on your countertops has a significant impact on the overall cost of granite surfaces, so be cautious of the edge you settle on. As a rule of thumb, choose the standard eased edge as it’s much cheaper than the tiered or bevel edge.

Install the countertops by yourself

If you are a dab hand at DIY projects, save money by bypassing granite installers Rockville and installing the countertops by yourself. Of course, ensure that you follow the right procedure when it comes to their installation.

25

Mar

Is Granite Good for Kitchen Countertops?

Granite countertops are one of the most popular countertop materials, and every homeowner wants to install them. The countertops are loved for their beauty and the fact that they give a kitchen a premium look. While this is the case, the big question is, is granite good for kitchen countertops?

Yes, granite is an excellent material for your kitchen countertops. Here are some of the reasons why:

It’s heat resistant

Granite counters won’t melt or blister when exposed to heat. This means you can take a hot pan and place it directly on the countertops without worrying about the surfaces getting damaged. While this is the case, you should note that regular countertop exposure to extreme temperatures can damage them.

This is because, while the countertop is heat resistant, it’s not heatproof.  To protect your surfaces, always have a trivet in place so that when you remove a hot pot or pan from the fire, you don’t place it directly on the countertops. Rather, you place it on the trivet.

It’s scratch-resistant

Granite scores a seven on Moh’s scale of hardness. This means the material is tough and able to resist scratches from different materials. Due to its tough nature, many homeowners cut fruits and vegetables on it. While you can do this without any issue, you should limit it. This is because the vegetables and fruits might be having harmful acids that might etch the surfaces.

Other foods such as meat might be harboring bacteria that you transfer to the surfaces when you place them directly on the countertops. When you place other foods on the counters, you transfer these bacteria to the foods. You don’t want this, do you?

Even if the countertops can take the beating, don’t cut the food directly on the countertops. Instead, always have a cutting board in place at all times.

You can easily hide seams.

If you have a large kitchen, you have to use two or more granite slabs. The biggest worry with most homeowners is that the countertops will show seams that give the surfaces an ugly appeal. When you hire the right contractors to install the countertops, you don’t have to worry about this. Most experienced installers mix custom color epoxy to adhere to the seams, which comes in handy at disguising them.

And as a result, you have a smooth, beautiful surface.

You can repair the countertops.

Most countertop materials need to be replaced when they get damaged. This isn’t the case with granite. When you have a crack or chip on your granite, you need to contact the contractor that installed them and explain the issue. In most cases, the contractor will use a color-matched epoxy to fill the void, and when properly done, it’s invisible. In fact, you can’t tell you have a defect there.

If you have a small chip, you can use superglue to seal the chip.

While the countertops are repairable, you should note that it’s your responsibility to protect them from damage. Of major importance, don’t place heavy cast-iron pans directly into your under-mounted sink. This is because the cutout edges are prone to chips that give your surfaces an ugly appeal.

There are plenty of countertop options to choose from

If you ask many homeowners, they will tell you that granite is white, but this isn’t the case at all. Granite comes in a variety of colors and patterns to choose from. And the beauty is that since the stone is natural, every slab is unique so that you can be sure that when you install the countertop, you can’t find anyone else with an exactly similar one.

If you want your kitchen to have an exotic look, you should install exotic granite colors such as red. While the slabs will be slightly more expensive than the other slabs in the market, you will give your guests something to talk about when they visit you.

They are easy to maintain

Granite countertops are one of the easiest materials to maintain. Once you have had them professionally installed by granite installers Rockville, the only thing you need to do is to clean them once a day. You also should make it a habit to clean any spills as soon as they happen. Also, once a year, seal the countertops to keep off stains.

17

Mar

How to Tell the Difference between Marble and Granite

On first look, marble and granite countertops look similar. Both are natural and porous, which can be confusing to many new homeowners. But are the two similar? Absolutely not.

While the two materials are similar in some aspects, they have their differences. If this is the first time buying the countertops, you need to be cautious, so you don’t buy the wrong one. To help you out, here is a guide on how to tell the difference between marble and granite:

Origin

Both marble and granite are natural, meaning they are both acquired through mining and excavation, but they have a few differences.

After being buried for millions of years, granite is a kind of igneous rock. It’s a byproduct of molten magma that has been seasoned down and solidified for decades. Granite forms after going through periodic heating and cooling, and this makes it hard and durable.

Marble goes through the same formation process as granite, but marble doesn’t involve magma heat. A marble is a combination of sedimentary rocks and other natural elements. It results after years of natural meshing of rock and soil. After being exposed to heat and pressure, you have the natural design of the stone.

During its making, plenty of minerals are involved, so marble tends to come in a wide range of colors. This means as a buyer, you have plenty of designs and colors to choose from.

Cost

Cost is often a deal-breaker when you are buying countertops, with marble being more expensive than granite. You should note that the price of the countertops isn’t only the buying cost. You also need to factor in the cost of installation. You can’t install the countertops by yourself, so you will need to hire a professional to help you out.

The installation technicians have different rates depending on their experience level, insurances, and location. It’s up to you to research and find a contractor that will provide you with great service at the least cost.

When you are operating on a tight budget, avoid hiring uptown companies as they will charge you a premium fee for nothing. You should note that the high fees charged by these companies aren’t a reflection of the services they provide, but rather than the fee they have to charge to stay afloat.

Simultaneously, avoid extremely cheap companies as they are most likely inexperienced and will do a shoddy job. Others will damage your countertops, which can lead to an expensive loss.

As mentioned, you need to do your research and find a company that provides you the sweet balance between cost and experience.

Porosity

As mentioned in the introduction, both marble and granite are porous, meaning that water penetrates the inner layers, putting the countertops at staining risk. While this is the case, marble is more porous, so you need to seal it more often to prevent it from staining.

Despite the high porosity, marble is still compact and sturdy, so it makes a great choice when you are looking to install durable and elegant kitchen countertops.

The marble’s high porosity makes it an ideal candidate for installation in hotter climates due to its ability to repel heat.

Although granite is less porous, you should note that it’s still porous, so you should protect it from oils, wine, condiments, and other materials that can stain the surface.

Aesthetics

For the untrained eye, both marble and granite look the same, but they have several distinct physical attributes that you can pick when you are cautious.

For example, granite has a veiny look that resembles specks on the surface and differs in color, where the different slabs have a variety of hues. Marble, too, has a veiny pattern, but the veins are larger and run through the slab with fairly consistent colors.

Durability and maintenance

For the countertops to last for a long time, you need to ensure they are properly installed by experienced granite installers Rockville or other professionals. Since marble is more porous, it’s more susceptible to stains and spills, so you will need to clean it up and seal it more often.

Granite is less porous, but you will still need to seal it at least once a year to improve its ability to resist stains and spills.

09

Mar

Can Quartz Countertops Be Buffed?

Quartz is known for its tough nature, so when you install it, you have peace of mind that it will last for a long time and effectively handle oil spills, heat, dyes from foods, and beauty products.

To retain the look of the countertop, you need to keep it looking clean and polished. Can quartz countertops be buffed? Yes, they can. In fact, here are some of the ways to polish them.

Scrub the surfaces with soap and warm water

Have you noticed your countertops are losing their shine? You can restore it by scrubbing the surfaces with tough brushes.

Quartz surfaces are fortified and tough, so they will effectively stand up to the scrubbing brushes, so you don’t worry about scratching them during the scrubbing.

The best way to go about it is to use warm, soapy water. Put the water in a spray bottle and use it to soak the quartz. Once the surfaces are wet, scrub them with a sponge, washcloth, or scrub brush of your liking.

Once you are done, use a cloth or squeegee to dry the surface while ensuring you leave no streaks behind. Remember, the wet spots and streaks will tamper with the quartz’s continuity, making the countertops appear messy under some lighting conditions.

Windex and other window cleaners

Windex and similar window cleaners are highly effective at polishing quartz. The same way they shine and increase the clarity of windows, they can bring out the shine in quartz.

When using the cleaners, remember that less is more, so fill a spray bottle with water, then add a small amount of window cleaner, and then apply the cleaner to the counter’s entire surface.

After spraying the countertops, gently dry and polish them with a soft, clean cloth, and within minutes, your countertops will look as good as new.

Quartz polishing products

If you don’t like using water or window cleaner, you can always use specialized quartz polishing products. These cleaning products make sense when you have noticed your countertops getting stained or even getting damaged by the cleaners.

Like the other cleaners, follow the instructions on how to apply and polish the countertops properly. Ensure you give the countertops and surfaces a good cleaning before applying the polishing products.

Tips to avoid staining the countertops

Instead of having to polish the countertops, isn’t it easier to simply prevent the stains from coming about? Here are some of the ways to prevent these stains:

Avoid food spills

Remains from food will cause stains as the food reacts with quartz countertops. Some of the notorious foods known to cause staining include: coffee, tea, red wine, fruit juices, tomato sauce, and fresh berries.

To prevent stains from these foods, avoid placing them directly on your countertops. Always have a trivet or any other protective material in place. You shouldn’t place even fresh fruits such as fresh berries on the countertops as they will most likely stain the surfaces.

If you must have the fruits on the countertops either for the look or to eat them as you are cooking, ensure they are in a bowl.

In the event juice spills or any other types of spills happen, move with haste and remove them before they react with the quartz and cause an off-putting stain.

Use the right cleaning products.

Did you know the products you are using to clean the countertops can affect your countertops’ look? If you are using paint thinners, oil soaps, detergents, and other products, they might be reacting with your surfaces, leaving dark or dull spots.

To bring the staining to a stop, use the right cleaning products. For example, use cleaning products specifically designed for quartz.

Bleach

When your countertops are damaged by bleach, they tend to have lighter or white spots. Bleach etches the surface, leaving its mark like marble etching. To prevent your countertops from being damaged by bleach, don’t use it directly on your countertops.

Heat or burns

Although quartz kitchen countertops Potomac are heat resistant, they are prone to heat damage. Your countertops are bound to be affected by heat when you place a hot item on them. So to prevent staining, avoid placing the hot pot directly on the countertop surface.