29

Jun

How to Choose the Right Granite Slab for Your Kitchen

While kitchen remodels might feel overwhelming, there are so many options these days you can choose from, including the colors of granite you choose. All of them look beautiful because granite is natural, and each slab varies in color and pattern. Therefore, which color do you choose? In this article, you will learn a couple of principles to remember before choosing the color for your countertop.

Granite is among the most popular material for countertops. Aside from its durability, it is available in many styles and colors, which makes it easy to pair with any kind of appliance and cabinetry.

Once you contact the countertop replacement services, at least you already have an idea of what you want. Read on to know more.

Match it with the Cabinets

There are two main ways that you can pair cabinets and granite: matching the color with cabinets or you can pair the marbling and veining. The first way to match granite counters is to opt for granite with the same color as the cabinets but the veining is darker. For instance, white cabinets are gorgeous looking and have grey veins, brown, and black. If you are interested in granite with color contrast, you should choose the one with veins that will match your cabinetry. The same one pairs beautifully with espresso cabinets. It might also be helpful to check out popular things of granite countertops and cabinetry.

Consider Your Kitchen Size

Do you have a small or large kitchen? The kitchen size is an important factor when it comes to picking the perfect slab, and the pattern. If you have a small kitchen, you should opt for light-color granite because it gives your kitchen a spacious look. When there is little natural lighting, your kitchen is going to look smaller. You can correct this effect when you use light-colored granite. Dark granites that veins running through will work for this purpose as well. As for the large kitchens, you can safely experiment with dark colors. In addition, choose the patterns based on your kitchen size. The three main patterns are speckled, solid, and marbled. Solid granite is an excellent choice for kitchens that are smaller. Busy patterns make a small kitchen seem cramped. If you have a large kitchen, marbled and speckled forms are great. Two colors of granite also go well with larger kitchens.

Contrast Makes the Kitchen Look More Pleasing

If you check photos of designer kitchens or watch several home makeover TV shows, you will notice that the majority of them feature some contrast between dark and light. For instance, in case the kitchen cabinets are dark then you want light kitchen countertops. If there are light and dark elements in a room, they will add visual balance: Dark colors serve as anchors and lighter ones take off some weight and make your room feel more open and spacious. Therefore, when you consider using a contrasting color to cabinets for your countertops, it will be good.

Choose a Unique Granite Pattern

Aside from choosing a color, you can also choose a granite pattern. Solid granite does not have a lot of variation in the pattern, and it is a great choice for smaller kitchens where a busy pattern makes the area look cramped. Marbled granite comes with a smooth transition between color and texture. Speckled granite is a great option with a lot of variation in texture and color and it would be excellent if you want to make a statement.

These are the best ways to choose granite countertops Rockville for your kitchen.

 

16

Jun

Mistakes to Avoid When You Have a Quartz Kitchen Countertop

The majority of homeowners still see kitchen remodeling as one of the most important home renovation aspects. Based on statistics, one in every household does a kitchen remodel yearly.

The most important surface in your home is the countertop, and it is the main feature that homeowners want to replace. They contact countertop replacement services to have their quartz countertop installed. However, there are mistakes that some people make when it comes to their countertop. If you are planning to get quartz countertops, you should know what not to do in order to properly maintain it. Find out what you must not do so that it will last for a long time.

Relying Too Much on Harsh Cleaners

Harsh cleaners loaded with chemicals do not mix well with quartz countertops. It is important to stay away from alkaline and acidic cleaners because they can weaken the bonds between quartz and resin and can damage the surface layer over time. While it hampers the sealant’s efficacy too, the countertop can become prone to easily getting stained.

You Do Not Wipe Spills Right Away

If you allow any type of spill to sit on your countertop, specifically an acidic solution like vinegar or wine, for a long time on your countertop, it is going to penetrate the stone. This will result in staining. Quartz is normally marketed to be stain-resistant. It is crucial to remember that the engineered stone is not stain-proof.

The best way for you to prevent stains is to make sure they do not happen at first. However, if you spill something, make sure that you clean up the mess right away. You can take a dish cloth together with warm soapy water in order to clean up spills.

Using Pads that are Too Abrasive

Some homeowners like to use abrasive cleaning pads that can starch and dull quartz countertops. You need to avoid hard-bristled brushes, metal scourers, and scrubbing pads. You should use a gentle approach, ideally a soft rug for cleaning and clean cotton cloth for drying. This way, the quartz surface will remain beautiful and shiny for a long time.

You Place Hot Items on the Countertop Directly

Even if quartz countertops have heat-resistant properties, you should not assume that it is immune to heat. If the temperature is over 300 degrees F, it can damage your countertop.

You should not place hot pans or pots on the countertop because extreme heat can be damaging to the resin of your countertop’s surface, which results in discoloration. Discoloration, because heat damage is irreversible, and you would have to replace the entire slab of stone to remove the damage.

You Cut Food Directly on the Countertop

Most of the quartz slabs are NSF-approved. They can be used for food preparation. However, with the right force, using your knife directly on the countertop’s surface to cut and chop ingredients can cause scratches. The small scratches and nicks will gradually dull the surface and erode the beauty of your countertop.

Placing Your Sizzling Hot Utensils on the Countertop

Yes, quartz countertops are resistant to heat by nature. However, placing sizzling hot utensils on the countertop all the time will cause discoloration on the countertop. At the same time, it becomes more prone to cracks. Before placing your sizzling hot utensils on the countertop, you should put a tray or cloth where you can place your utensils so that they do not directly go on the quartz surface.

You can contact the quartz countertop installer Rockville for your kitchen countertop replacement.

07

Jun

Benefits of Sealing Granite Countertops

The beauty and durability of granite countertops are well-known, but that does not indicate that they do not need any TLC and proper maintenance. Even if granite is resistant to moisture, it is porous as well. Therefore, spilled liquids, especially the ones with colors, can get damaged by dirt.

As a homeowner, you should regularly clean and maintain your granite while you mop up spills while they happen while protecting the surface. It is also wise to use the services of cleaning and polishing experts.

Normally, customers are advised to “seal” countertops. When you have thoroughly cleaned your granite countertop, contact a professional to seal it. This will make it effective against oil-based and water stains.

Read on to learn more.

Prevents Stains

Granite is known to be porous. Sealing it is going to make the liquid bead on the surface, which prevents it from staining. This is important for granite with a lighter color since it is more prone to stains.

In addition, you should practice wiping up spills while they happen. In the bathrooms, you should not leave containers of cosmetic containers and beauty aids on the granite countertops. That is because they could leave chemical residue that can cause stains.

In case you see stains, you can attempt to deal with them on your own. You can create a water and baking soda for some of the oil stains, and then a baking soda paste and hydrogen peroxide for water stains. You can leave the paste there overnight, sealed in plastic, and then you can wipe it off when you wake up.

Cleans and Disinfects Your Granite Right Away

Similar to other natural stones found in homes, like limestone and marble, granite has tiny open spaces in it because of its porousness. Stones that are highly porous can attract bacteria because of the small openings. This is something that you do not want granite countertops to experience.

When you properly seal granite countertops, they become hygienic, which makes it easier to disinfect them. The sealing can penetrate deeply into the stone to create a protective layer against bacteria, dust, and dirt.

Once those pores are sealed, dirt, moisture, and bacteria cannot penetrate the surface of your countertops even further.

Reduces Etching Threat

The etching of the granite countertop will happen when you spill acidic food on it, such as lemon juice. Vinegar, juices, coffee, wine, soda, and cleaners also cause etching. If you are using the cutting boards and other food protections on the preparation surfaces, that goes a long way to prevent any etching. However, accidents happen, and sealing your granite is going to shield it against spillages.

Prevents Your Countertop from Getting Dull

Granite countertops are luxurious and they rarely show any signs of wearing. Sometimes, people have an impression that their granite lost its shine and has become dull. In case that happens, you just might have to polish it. With a lot of polishes out there, it is hard to find out which is the best polish to use for countertops.

After polishing your granite countertops, the shine should return. If you want to maintain the shine for a long time, you would want to add granite sealer. Protecting your granite countertop properly with the right sealer and polish keeps your granite countertop looking new for a long time.

These are the top reasons why you need to seal your granite countertop. You can call granite companies Rockville so they can do it for you. This is something you want to be done professionally because granite is an investment and you want to make the most out of it.