29

Sep

Best Places to Use Granite Countertops at Home

When it comes to granite, people automatically think of countertops. Even if it is true granite is an excellent countertop, there are popular places where it can be installed. Granite is very attractive and strong, making it a top choice for all homeowners. Granite contractors would gladly install them for you, and because of their great properties, it is important that prospective homeowners should know that there are additional ways that you can use granite as a countertop.

Granite has been used for thousands of years and it is regarded as a status symbol, of durability, and strength. The igneous rock is made of quartz, feldspar, and mica, which gives the stone a unique collection of colors.

Read on to learn more.

Use Granite as a Kitchen Island

The kitchen is the best place that homeowners can choose to install granite. The popularity of granite comes from it being strong, and resistant to heat and water, and very easy to clean. With a lot of color options available. Granite will look good in any traditional or modern kitchen, which is why a lot of homeowners want to use it in their kitchen.

Overmount Sinks

Since granite is non-porous, it is hygienic for sinks because grime or other bacteria can seep in and make it a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Since it is a natural stone, all granite slabs are unique from each other, and this gives a unique finish to any small sink space. Based on the granite weight, brackets can be used as overmount sink support.

Any rock should contain about 20% quartz so that it qualifies as granite. For instance, a lot of blue granite is larvikite or anorthosite.

Bathrooms

The second place where you will think of putting granite countertops is your bathroom. Since granite is best for wet spaces, it is a top choice for any spot where you can wash your hands and brush your teeth daily. In addition, granite is beautiful and it will surely get compliments from guests.

Vanity Top

Like the reasons for kitchen popularity, granite is a common material for bathrooms. The bathroom is also an abused room in the house, which is why having a strong and water-resistant countertop is ideal. It will also not develop mold.

Drop-ins

Drop-in sinks that are made from granite are very smooth and it prevents food and debris from getting stuck in the crevices. Even if it is a heat-resistant material, the hot utensils cause less damage when you put them straight into the sink.

Sinks are made with more seams because multiple granite pieces should be properly lined up and joined together with epoxy. This can get trickier with patterns or veining. In order to reduce costs, you need to work out the seam designs before installation.

Laundry Room

When it comes to wet spaces, it is more common to find granite countertops in laundry rooms. Granite can make a granite surface for spot cleaning stains before clothes can go inside the washer. You are going to have a convenient area where you can fold laundry when your clothes come out of the dryer.

Backsplash

The water-resistant and durable granite works great for backsplashes. It can contrast with the texture and color of the countertop. In case you have enough granite, left after you have installed the countertop, then you can save on your budget and use the same one to make the backsplash as well.

You can talk to granite countertop installers Potomac if you need them to work in different parts of your house to install granite.

21

Sep

Why the Best Countertops for Baking are Quartz

Kitchen workspaces for pastries are important for individuals who are passionate about baking. Quartz countertops give you an appropriate space when it comes to pursuing your home baking as a career or hobby. Quartz countertops are very versatile and attractive, but they are economical and low-risk.

The countertop, flooring, fixtures, lighting, fittings, and finishes are among the top factors that can contribute to memories created in the kitchen. Kitchen countertops are an important and exceptional component while it functions at the center of kitchen activities. Quartz is an excellent material that is resistant and strong to heat, which makes it ideal for chopping, mixing, baking, and frying. You will learn more about it now.

It is Not Porous

Quartz countertops are now more popular in recent years and it is not surprising. They are durable and beautiful, and taking care of them is easy. However, one of the best features of quartz is that it is not porous. That means it will not absorb any spills or stains like other kinds of countertops, which makes it easy to maintain cleanliness.

If you love to bake, it is ideal to use quartz. It is cool and smooth, so it is the perfect surface for rolling dough in your bakery kitchen. Since it does not absorb liquids or food particles, it is easy to keep it clean. Regardless if you are a professional baker or you only enjoy making, go for quartz.

Acid-Resistant

Lemon bars and using acidic materials is a common baking recipes, therefore using a quartz countertop prevents damage in case there are spills. Baking ingredients are safe whenever you use an acid-resistant quartz countertop. Nevertheless, your countertop should always be regularly cleaned no matter what type of baking ingredients you are using.

Low-maintenance

At the same time, since they are poreless, routine maintenance and cleanup have become simpler. You can wipe down the countertops using a damp cloth and then you are done.

With quartz countertops, they are never a seal you can see. Unlike the more porous countertops such as marble, quartz countertops do not need harsh chemical seals. Your countertops can live and breathe without a yearly checkup that drains your bank account and time.

Durable

Quartz countertops are among the most durable surfaces that you can have for your kitchen. They are made using the hardest minerals you will find, which means they are resistant to stains and scratches. Durability is crucial for any layout in the kitchen baking, but it is mainly important for people who love to bake.

If you are always rolling the dough or working with chocolate and sugar, you will require a countertop that is able to stand up to wear and tear. The truth is, that quartz is durable that it is normally used in commercial kitchens. In case it can stand up to professional kitchen demands, it can definitely stand up to baking projects you love to do.

It Can Keep its Temperature

A consistent and dependable temperature is important when you bake. Quartz countertops have a consistent temperature since they do not conform to temperature changes in the kitchen. When you bake, you do not have to worry about the dough sticking after a rollout due to cold temperatures. Your cookies are going to cool right away, and the butter will not melt before the time you need it to. This is very helpful and any baker will love this about having quartz countertops.

You can contact quartz countertop contractors Potomac anytime once you are ready to have them installed and make your kitchen ready for a lot of baking.

 

 

13

Sep

Choosing the Right Countertop Backsplash

With a modern kitchen design inspiration, most of the time the backsplash is an oversight. You will most likely plan your appliances, countertops, and kitchen cabinets in advance, but a lot of homeowners forget the backsplash.

Even if a kitchen backsplash is mostly a practical tool that is used for stopping walls from becoming dirty, it also serves as an aesthetic backdrop and focal point in the kitchen. It depends on the design, but you should know which one to choose. You can ask the advice on countertop replacement services, but it would also be good to have your own ideas.

The nice thing about choosing a beautiful backsplash is that you do not have to be a professional interior designer to choose one that matches your style.

Tile or Stone Backsplash

There are many kinds of kitchen backsplashes to pick from, but the majority of homeowners choose a stone or tile. If you have granite or quartz countertops, you can get a matching backsplash that goes along the walls. This option is not for all applications, it can be expensive to install. The stone is heavy and it needs sturdy bracing to secure the walls. It is hard to cut around the cabinet layout.

For the majority of kitchen designs, tile is the best way to go. You can have it customized, installation is easy, and it is more cost-effective as time goes by.

Calculate How much You Need

If you want to calculate how much backsplash you will need, you should take the length of the area where the tile is going to be placed and multiplied by the area height. You can complete this calculation for each tile area. You can then add each amount together and multiply it by 1.1. This allows a 10% overage if there is a broken tile or odd tile cut.

Design Accent

In a lot of kitchens, the area on top of the stove is the best place for an added feature. This is normally a rectangle or square tile that looks a little different compared to the rest of the backsplash. If your backsplash is fake, the accent can be a herringbone pattern of brick that has a square border. These small changes help in making your kitchen look personalized and thought out.

Glass Tile

You would not think it will be a nice backsplash for your kitchen, but glass is 100% waterproof, so it is a great backsplash option if your kitchen has a lot of moisture, steam, and splashes.

And it will not easily shatter, so do not worry.

Glass tile has a lot of colors and the natural translucency can create a dazzling shiny effect unlike anything else. Usually, the glass will be reinforced and scratch-resistant as well.

However, since glass is translucent, you will see grouting that is poorly done beneath it, so a professional installation is required. No one wants to look at their glass style and see adhesive or grout staring at them.

Do Not Break Your Budget

If you are currently remodeling your kitchen, the costs add up, which is why it is important to balance your budget. Even if there are areas where you can splurge and save on some, you can be more conservative if you choose tiles.

With a lot of tile options available at great prices, it is not sensible to dedicate a huge part of the budget to your backsplash. Therefore, you do not have to pay too much.

You can contact granite companies Rockville once you have chosen a backsplash so they can install them already.