14

Nov

What Are My Kitchen Countertops Options?

Are you thinking about installing kitchen countertops and asking what are my kitchen countertops options? Well, there are plenty of options you can go with, with the common ones being:

Natural stone countertops

From their name, these are countertops obtained from natural stone, and they include: soapstone, marble, slate, and granite countertops.

Granite countertops are one of the most popular, and they are sold primarily through local fabricators, but you will sometimes find them in home improvement stores and kitchen showrooms.

Granite comes in a wide range of colors ranging from variegated browns to vibrant blue. It goes that the rarer the color, the more expensive the stone, so if you are on a budget, you should stay away from the rare colors.

Marble is another popular natural stone countertop that has fewer color patterns than granite. Marble is relatively soft and porous than granite, which makes it more prone to stains.

Despite this, marble is regarded as an almost perfect work surface for activities such as making fresh pasta and baking.

Soapstone and slate aren’t as popular as granite and marble, and they come in far fewer colors than granite. Soapstone is usually dark greenish-black in color, but it’s not uncommon to find lighter green-gray slabs.

On the other hand, slate is extremely dense and comes in five subtle colors such as red, gray, green, black, and purple. You will sometimes find mottled purple and variegated purple slates with visible veins and shades of contrasting colors.

If working with an experienced contractor, soapstone and slate can be fabricated into sinks to match the countertops.

Like the other natural stone countertops, soapstone is porous, and you need to seal it to reduce staining regularly.

Solid surface countertops

Made from dense polyester, acrylic, or a blend of the two, solid surface countertops come in various colors and patterns. They are non-porous, which means they are highly stain and scratch-resistant. It also means that they are highly easy to maintain.

The unique thing about these countertops is they are renewable and repairable. This means that if you scratch or burn the surfaces, you can easily sand them out and fill the gouges.

The countertop seams are fused to create undetectable joints, making the countertops perfect for large or long sections of countertops and oversized island tops.

Concrete

Concrete counters closely resemble natural stone and are popular among homeowners looking to create custom countertops.

Unlike the 80s concrete countertops where the fabricators messily poured the concrete on top of the cabinets, modern fabricators offer pre-cast counters made in the workshop then delivered to your home already fully cured and finished.

The pre-cast concrete counters are 1 ½ inch thick and are available in slabs of up to 10 feet long.

The fabricators can create them in any color, which is achieved by adding pigments to the concrete during mixing.

Once cured, the slabs are honed and sealed to prevent them from staining.

The major problem with concrete is cracking. Fabricators go around this by using wire mesh, metal bars, or fiberglass to strengthen them.

Engineered stone

Also known as quartz composite, engineered stone comprises 90% quartz and 10% acrylic or epoxy binder. The most popular composites under this category are: Silestone, Formica solid surfacing, and Corian Quartz.

You must be wondering what is the difference between the traditional solid surfacing and engineered stone countertops, right? Well, the difference is that engineered stone is much harder and has more depth than the other countertops. It also has clarity and radiance you won’t find in other countertops.

Ceramic tiles

Most homeowners now prefer countertops that are easy to install, maintain, and provide a seamless counter. Due to this, few countertops are covered with porcelain or ceramic tile.

While this is the case, it doesn’t mean that you should rule out ceramic countertops for your project. The tiles make an excellent choice for backsplashes or secondary work surfaces such as islands, peninsulas, eat-at counters, and butler pantries.

Whether you are seeking countertop replacement services Rockville or any other service, you can install ceramic tiles, but you need to ensure that you install the right ones. Don’t install wall tiles on the counters as they are bound to crack as a rule of thumb.

08

Nov

What Is A Cheaper Alternative To Granite Countertops?

Every homeowner dreams about installing granite in their homes. Unfortunately, the countertops don’t come cheap. If you have always wanted to install granite in your home, but the price is out of your reach, you must be wondering, what is a cheaper alternative to granite countertops, right? Well, there are many of them, with the common ones being:

Quartz

Also known as engineered stone, quartz is one of the most affordable alternatives you can go with. Contractors recommend it when you are looking to achieve simple luxury. The good thing about it is that it comes in different shades and colors, so you will find one that fits your style.

Quartz is also non-porous, meaning that it’s easy to clean and doesn’t stain easily.

Since the countertop is an engineered stone, you can modify it to a glossy or matte surface. And the presence of resin means you don’t need to keep sealing it, which makes it even easier to maintain.

While quartz is an excellent alternative to granite, it has its drawbacks. One of the drawbacks being that it’s easily damaged by heat. This means that if you place hot pots and pans on it, the countertop is bound to melt and burn, leaving a blackened indentation.

Marble countertops

Yes, some marble varieties are cheaper than granite. To avoid spending too much money on the countertops, avoid rare and exotic varieties.

The beauty of marble is that it has a timeless beauty, and when properly installed, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing countertops you can have. The countertop also comes in a variety of colors and veining patterns.

While it comes in a variety of inviting colors, it’s relatively soft and porous which means that it will chip and scratch easily when put under pressure and hard wear. The porosity also puts the stone at the risk of staining.

It will also absorb any foods, liquids, and cleaning chemicals that you put on it, making it difficult to clean.

Quartzite

If you want a countertop that looks like marble but is more durable and heat resistant, you should consider quartzite. Quartzite forms when sandstone shifts deeper into the earth’s mantle, raising the sandstone’s temperature and forcing it to crystallize.

The good thing is that, unlike marble, quartzite is exceptionally durable and doesn’t scratch easily. The countertop is also heat and stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about scratching or burning it.

While the countertop is great and might look like marble, it’s limited in the color area where it doesn’t have as many color varieties as marble.

Sintered stone

Sintered stone is engineered stone made from quartz and ceramic particles. The particles that make up sintered stone are treated with high pressure and heat to form a crystallized stone in the lab.

Sintered stone can be made from different materials, which gives it different color varieties and patterns.

With a hardened level of 7/10 on the Mohs hardness scale, sintered stone is one of the hardest and durable materials you can have. It’s even less porous, making it easy to maintain as you don’t have to worry about sealing it.

It’s heat resistant, so you can place hot pots and pans on it without worrying about causing cracks and damage.

While the stone is great, its made in the laboratory which makes it less environmentally friendly than natural stone materials.

Wood

Wooden countertops can be made from different materials such as oak, maple, cherry, bamboo, and walnut.

Since it’s soft and more forgiving, when you drop a glass on a wooden countertop, it will never break like it’s the case with granite.

While this softness is good, it can sometimes result in chips, cut marks, and cracks.

To keep your wooden countertops looking great, you need to treat them monthly with mineral oils. You also should seal the countertops to keep them clean and stain-free.

There you go

These are some of the best and cheapest granite alternatives. If you aren’t sure about the right one to go for, get the input of a professional. They will advise whether to go for wood or quartz countertops Potomac depending on the look you want to achieve and your budget.

29

Oct

What Is The Cheapest Color Of Granite?

If you have been shopping for granite countertops, you must have noticed that the color of the countertop has a significant impact on the price, where the uniform, rare colors tend to go at a higher price.

If you are operating on a budget, you must be wondering, what is the cheapest color of granite, right? The cheapest countertops are those with speckled and busy designs. The most common ones being:

Azul Platino

Azul Platino is quarried near Vigo, Spain, and it has been around for hundreds of years. This granite features an off-white background with small bluish-gray specks, and in some cases, it will have black spots scattered throughout the slab.

It’s also common to have the countertops with white or black veining. On closer examination, the countertops will have green, brown, or even pink flecks. The countertops will also have amethyst quartz crystals that provide brilliant violet flecks throughout the slab.

Azul Platino slab is usually large, making it an excellent choice for kitchen islands and other large-sized countertop needs.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia is quarried in Espirito Santo, Brazil, and the granite features a uniform appearance meaning that it’s common to find two almost identical slabs, which is not common with most other natural granite slabs.

The granite slab features a white background with gray and brown speckles that run uniformly throughout the slab.

When you look at the slab from a distance, it appears to be comprised of shades of gray ranging from light gray to deep charcoal with black and white patches throughout the slab, but on closer examination, you will notice hues of brown and sparkling crystals running throughout.

The beauty with New Caledonia is that it’s highly versatile and looks great in both contemporary and traditional kitchens and bathrooms.

You can pair it with dark wood-stained cabinetry or with light cabinetry for the charcoal flecking to stand out.

Dallas white

Dallas white granite is quarried in Aguia Branca, Brazil, and the granite has low water absorption and low porosity, making it an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

The slab has a white background with dark crystals scattered throughout, and in some cases, it might have slight veining.

The countertop’s uniform flecking works perfectly in traditional kitchens where the granite’s brown, golden cream veins and lavender flecks blend perfectly, giving your kitchen a beautiful look.

For the perfect look, pair the countertops with white or dark wood cabinetry such as walnut.

The unique thing about Dallas White granite is that, unlike other granites in the market, it doesn’t need face resin due to the tight grain structure found in the stone.

The lack of resin means that you can place hot pots on the countertops without worrying about damaging the granite surface.

Uba tuba granite

Also known as Ubatuba, Uba tuba is mined near Ubatuba, Sao Paolo, Brazil. The granite features a dark green background with consistent green, gold, and brown flecks scattered across the slab.

It also has a tight granite pattern with a few veins running throughout the stone. The veins present are usually small and gold, white, or turquoise.

The minerals in the granite vary in size from as little as an apple seed to as large as half a dollar, which significantly adds visual interest to the stone.

If you have a traditional kitchen, pair Ubatuba with dark cabinetry but if looking to create a contemporary space, pair the countertops with white cabinetry.

If you aren’t sure about the look you want to create, you don’t have to worry, as the various colors found in the Uba Tuba slab create a sophisticated yet simple look that works for every home.

Don’t buy poor-quality granite.

While you are looking for the cheapest color, you shouldn’t buy the cheapest quality countertop as it’s a matter of time before the countertop starts breaking apart and they end up being too expensive in the long run. Instead of cutting the cost on the quality of the slab, stay away from fancy edges, and instead, opt for a standard sink and choose granite remnants for the small areas instead of buying an entire slab.

To avoid getting ripped off, walk with experienced granite countertop installers Rockville to these stores.

20

Oct

How Do I Get The Best Deal On Quartz Countertops?

Quartz kitchen countertops are practical, modern, and highly aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, they don’t come cheap. Luckily, there are several things you can do to get the countertops at a low price.

Are you wondering, how do I get the best deal on quartz countertops? There are plenty of ways to go about it. Some of these ways include:

Order from a small countertops store

You can buy the countertops from different places. You can buy from a small quartz store, a large countertop agglomerate, or a furniture store.

Avoid buying from the large stores as they often don’t have many options and charge a premium for their products. At the same time, avoid buying from a furniture store as they also tend to charge a premium as they want to get as much profit as possible.

The best place to buy the countertops is from the small quartz stores. Besides these stores allowing you to bargain, they also don’t charge much. The stores also tend to have a vast catalog, so you have many countertops to choose from.

Buy countertops of the optimal thickness.

Quartz countertops come in three standard sizes: 12 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm.  As much as thicker slabs are better as they are stronger, they tend to be expensive. To save money, buy countertops of the right thickness.

To avoid buying countertops that are too thick than necessary, ask an experienced professional to guide you. The professional will inspect your kitchen and recommend the correct thickness depending on the orientation of your kitchen cabinets.

Choose a simple edge.

In the same way, a complicated painting is more expensive than a simpler one, an intricate edge is more expensive than a simpler one. Since you are out looking for a great deal, you should get a cheaper edge.

The most practical edging option is the standard straight edge. The edge looks suitable for any quartz regardless of its color and texture and, at the same time, saves you a lot of money.

Go with a simpler pattern.

In the same line of thought, a complicated quartz pattern will be more expensive than a simpler one. So to save money, go for a slab with natural shades and minimum decorative inclusions.

Pay attention to the manufacturer.

The manufacturer of the slab will significantly affect the countertop price, so you should be ultra-cautious about this. To find the right quality slab going at a low price, take your time to research and compare as many slabs as possible.

This calls for you to set enough time between the research phase and the installation.

Avoid special sink attachment.

As much as a unique under-floor installation is elegant to look at and a conversation starter, it doesn’t do any justice to your pocket. So to get a great deal, go for a simple sink installation. As long as the sink is installed correctly by an expert, it will look as good as the special one while saving you money.

Valuable tips as you are looking to save money

Yes, you want to get the best deal,  but there are several things you shouldn’t do. Some of these things include:

Don’t sacrifice on quality

When looking to save as much money as possible, it’s tempting to go for the cheapest product in the market, but not so fast. You don’t want to replace the countertops after a few days, do you?

To ensure that this doesn’t happen, go for quality countertops. You may have to stretch your budget a little bit, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Don’t install the countertops by yourself.

When you are a dab hand at DIY projects, it’s tempting to install the quartz countertops yourself—don’t do it. Besides the obvious risk of hurting yourself in the process, chances are also high that you will improperly install the countertops, and you have to hire quartz countertop contractors Potomac to redo them. You don’t want this, do you?

From the word go, let the installation be done by a professional. They will charge you for the work, but you are sure that you won’t have to redo it. For excellent service, ensure that the professional is experienced and knows what they are doing.

12

Oct

What Is The Best Quartz For Kitchen Countertops?

When you are looking to install quartz kitchen countertops, it’s common to be confused by the many options in the market. With so many quartz manufacturers, it’s common to wonder, what is the best quartz for kitchen countertops? To answer this question, we need to look at the different countertops and how they compare with each other.

Cambria

Cambria quartz is manufactured by Cambria, a privately held company based in Minnesota. Cambria Quartz is characterized by hundreds of styles, edges, slab sizes, and colors to choose from.

The unique thing is that unlike other types of quartz, you can’t buy Cambria quartz from the big box home improvement stores—you can only buy it through the architects, builders, and designers.

Caesarstone

Caesarstone is a publicly traded company headquartered in Israel, and it makes a wide range of colors to choose from. Caesarstone quartz comes in various styles, from the traditional looks such as marble to more contemporary and daring textures.

Caesarstone is known for pushing the design envelope, so it’s not uncommon to find quartz incorporating semi-precious stones such as tiger’s eye, agate, dumortierite, and petrified wood.

Silestone quartz

Based in Almeria, Spain, Silestone makes quartz countertops with vibrant solid colors such as green, blue, red, bright orange, and plenty of others that you won’t find in other quartz brands.

The cool thing is that quartz isn’t only limited to countertops—it also makes matching Silestone designs in vanities, sinks, and shower pans. This means you can buy everything you need for your house from the same brand, which comes in handy at maintaining uniformity in the house.

LG Viatera

This quartz is made by LG Electronics, a popular manufacturer of consumer electronics and appliances. Viatera quartz is available in over 50 earthy colors that range from “Snow Storm” to “Absolute Night.”

Hanstone

Hanstone is manufactured in North America, and it’s known for its tough quartz countertops. The resulting quartz is six times as durable as granite, making it the ideal choice for chefs and those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

MSI Q Quartz

MS International (MSI) was founded in 1975, and it makes top-notch quartz countertops that are scratch, heat, and stain-resistant.

Polarstone

Since it released its first accurate Calacatta marble design, Polarstone has been a leading Quartz manufacturer.

What should you look out for when buying quartz countertops?

To buy the right quartz, you need to look out for plenty of things that include:

Design and edges

The design and edges are the main differentiators among the different quartz brands. Design is basically the different qualities of the various slabs. They include: the size, color, shape of minerals, striations, and streaks.

You should take your time and find the ideal quartz for your needs.

Slab size

The other thing you should consider is the size of the slab that you need for your kitchen. As you can tell, this will be heavily influenced by the size of your kitchen. Work with your contractor and measure the size of your kitchen bench.

Seams are weak points, so work at minimizing them as much as possible. If you can use one slab instead of two, you are better off as you won’t have weak points in your kitchen. You also won’t spend much on contractors as they will quickly install the countertops.

Price

Of course, this is an important factor to consider. As you can guess, the price will significantly vary among the different brands. Although, high-quality slabs go at higher prices, it’s not always the case. Sometimes the slab will be expensive simply because of the brand.

You need to research and take your time to determine whether the price you are paying is justifiable. As a rule of thumb, don’t buy a slab simply because of the brand—buy it because it’s quality enough to serve you.

Warranty

Almost all quartz brands come with a warranty, although they differ in length, limitations, and transferability among the different brands.

Work with your quartz countertop dealer Potomac and compare the warranties among the different brands. Obviously, you should go with a brand that gives you the longest warranty at least cost.

30

Sep

Do Granite Countertops Chip Easily?

If you are wondering, do granite countertops chip easily? No, they don’t. Granite is one of the toughest countertop materials in the market, and as long as you install counters that are thick enough and you take good care of them, you don’t have to worry about them chipping.

While the countertops are tough, they will chip when you exact a lot of pressure on them. For example, if you sit or hit them. They will also chip if you place a weighty material on the edges.

What should you do when you have a chip on your countertops?

The logical thing to do is to fix the chip to prevent your countertops from staining or giving your surfaces an ugly look. While any chip on granite can be fixed, you should note that there is no way the granite surface will look as it used before.

You can fix the chip by yourself if you have the skills, but let a professional handle it for the best outcome.

When you contact a professional, they will come to your home and fill the spot with Epoxy. The unfortunate thing is that while Epoxy makes the surface flat and even, it doesn’t look exactly as granite you are replacing.

Epoxy’s sheen is different from granite, and it doesn’t match the granite pattern. This means that anyone can easily tell that you fixed the countertop.

Since there is no way to fix the countertop and it retains its original look, if the chip is small or in a hidden corner, you are better off leaving it the way it is.

How do you prevent chips on your granite countertop?

There are plenty of tricks you can use to prevent the chips from coming about in the first place. These tricks include:

Seal the countertop

Most homeowners seal their granite countertops to prevent stains from coming about. Sealing the countertops not only prevents stains, but also prevents chipping of the surfaces.

To protect your surfaces, seal the countertops with a quality sealer. Apply the sealer in layers a few times a year.

If you aren’t sure when to do the sealing, do a water test. Here you pour ¼ cup of water on the countertop surface and make a note of the time you placed the water on the surfaces.

If it takes more than 30 minutes, and the surface hasn’t darkened, the sealant is still in good shape, and you don’t need to reapply it. On the other hand, if the surface darkens, it’s time to apply a sealant. If the water gets absorbed immediately, apply several layers of the sealant.

Clean the countertops

You might wonder how cleaning the countertops will protect them from damage, but it comes in handy. When the countertops are clean, you not only have an easy time noticing the damage on the surfaces, but you also get rid of items that could lead to etching and staining.

While there are many cleaners in the market, few are right for you. As a rule of thumb, use a quality cleaner that will clean and shine the granite while offering a protective layer.

For the best results, ensure that the cleaner you go with is specially designed for granite counters. To be even sure that the cleaner isn’t causing any damage to your counters, go for one recommended for your specific color and brand.

Make use of bendable trivets.

Instead of placing your hot pots and pans directly on the countertops, place them on trivets, and as a consequence, you protect your surfaces. For peace of mind, make a habit of placing your pots on the heating pads and trivets at all times—regardless of whether they are hot or cold.

The reason for this is because some cold pots and pans might be having a vinegar base, and when you place them on the countertops, they leave the vinegar on the countertops. When the temperatures change, the vinegar begins to react with the sealant, which exposes your surfaces to stains and other forms of damage.

So, do granite countertops chip easily?

As mentioned, granite is tough and doesn’t chip easily. While this is the case, ensure that your countertops are installed by experienced granite installers Rockville. This way, you are sure the contractor won’t install countertops with a large edge that easily chips.

24

Sep

Can You Mess Up Granite Countertops?

Due to its tough nature, many homeowners have the impression that granite is indestructible. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

Can you mess up granite countertops? Yes, you can do it. Some of the ways you can mess your countertops include:

Cleaning the countertops with the wrong materials

To keep the countertop surfaces smooth and bacteria-free, you have to clean them regularly, but you need to use the right cleaning products as using the wrong ones will mess them up.

As a rule of thumb, never use these products to clean your granite:

  • Glass cleaner
  • Ammonia
  • Vinegar
  • Bleach
  • Generic cleaning supplies with strong acids and alkalis
  • Bathtub, bathroom, and tile cleaners

The reason for this is because the acidic and abrasive ingredients in many household cleaners will eat away at your countertop’s sealant, making it more susceptible to staining and extensive damage.

To keep your countertops clean with as minor damage as possible, clean the countertops using a soft washcloth, warm water, and mild soap.

Regardless of how clean you want the countertops, don’t use abrasive products.

Having poor food preparation practices

Did you know how you prepare the food can mess up your countertops? Due to the perception that granite is tough, some homeowners chop their onions, tomatoes, and even meat directly on the granite surfaces. This is wrong as it leaves large scratches on the surfaces giving your countertops a cheap, unkempt look.

To protect your countertops, always have a cutting board in a place where you do your cutting. Regardless of how minor the cutting you are doing, do it on a cutting board.

On the same breath, don’t place a hot pot or pan directly on the countertops as they will burn the surfaces leaving ugly stains that force you to replace the countertops. You might get away with placing the hot pots and pans directly on the surfaces, but you will be in trouble when you repeatedly do it.

Always let the pans and pots cool on the even and only place them on the countertops when they are fully cold and harmless to the countertop surfaces. The same thing applies to hot plates and cups.

If you have to have them on hot surfaces, place them on hot pads and trivets.

When preparing meat, don’t leave it sitting directly on the countertops. This is because it will leave a mess, and if you don’t clean it early enough, it will stain the surfaces.

Meat also allows bacteria to work their way into the countertops and, over time, get into other foods, which can lead to food spoilage and even food poisoning when you take the food.

Being careless with what you place on the countertops

Granite countertops can handle plenty of items, but how you place them goes a long way towards determining how long the countertops last. Placing uncovered lotions, cooking oils, bottled liquids, and other materials will, over time, leave a layer of grease and oil on the countertops.

While the layer won’t erode the sealant, the oil will seep through it and stain the countertops, forcing you to replace the countertop.

Ensure that the oils and greases you place on the surfaces are fully covered to prevent this from happening. You will even be better off if you can keep the bottles in the cupboards under the countertops. You can also use a tray and keep the bottles in an elevated area.

Standing and sitting on the countertops.

Granite is tough, and due to this, many homeowners stand on their surfaces when reaching the top shelf or sit on them when preparing their meals. While the countertops can withstand the pressure, repeatedly exposing the countertops to a lot of weight can cause the slab to crack or split, and you don’t want this to happen, do you?

To protect your surfaces and maintain the sanity of your countertops for as long as possible, don’t sit or stand on your countertops. If you have to reach the top floor, granite countertop installers Rockville recommend using a ladder or stool.

Always have a chair in the kitchen for people to sit on instead of sitting on the countertops.

16

Sep

Do Granite Countertops Need Special Care?

Granite countertops are one of the most popular countertop materials in the market. Due to their popularity and high-end perception, you might have the impression that they require specialized care.

Do granite countertops need special care? Absolutely not. In fact, they are one of the easiest countertops to maintain.

To keep your counters in top shape, you need to:

Seal them

Granite is porous, meaning that when you pour water and other liquids on it, the water will get into the inner layers, where it puts the countertops at the risk of staining.

To protect your countertops, you should seal them the first thing after installing them.

If you have a busy kitchen, it’s common for the sealant to wear off after a few months or a year, so it’s wise that you test the countertops and confirm that they are ready for resealing.

How do you do it? One of the most effective tests you can do is the water absorption test. Here you pour water on the countertops and let the puddle stay there for at least 10 minutes. If the water gets absorbed and the countertop turns a shade dark, the sealer has most likely worn off, and it’s time to reapply it.

Whether sealing or resealing the countertops, ensure that you use a high-quality sealant that will provide your countertops with the protection they need and at the same time last for a long time.

Clean the countertops daily

The last thing you want are countertops caked with dust and debris. Such countertops are not only unpleasant to look at, but they also tend to be hygienic, which puts you at the risk of suffering from a myriad of diseases.

To clean the countertops, you need a lint-free cloth or paper towel and water. Remove all the dirt and debris on the countertops, then dry the surface with a clean cloth or paper towel.

You might be tempted to clean the surfaces with abrasive cleaners such as ammonia to get the perfect look, but don’t. These cleaners will destroy the protective sealant on the countertops, so you are forced to reseal the surfaces.

Get rid of spills as soon as they happen.

Spills are one of the biggest granite enemies, so you should remove them as soon as they happen. You might argue that the sealant will prevent the water from getting into the deeper layers, but this isn’t the case.

It’s true that the sealant will prevent the water from absorbing fast, but when you leave the liquids on the surfaces for too long, they will soon get to the inner layers and stain the countertops. You don’t want this, do you?

To ensure that it doesn’t happen, don’t take chances. Even if the sealant halts the liquids from getting absorbed, failing to wipe off the liquids will be as good as if you hadn’t sealed the countertops in the first place so, when a spill happens, move with haste and remove it.

Protect the surfaces from heat

Like with many other countertop materials, heat will damage your granite surfaces, so you should protect them as much as possible.

One of the things you should do is to never place hot pots and pans directly on the countertops. This is because hot cooking items give the countertops ugly stains that you have to replace them.

To protect the surfaces, always have heat pads and trivets in place at all times. Even with these in place, let the pot cool for a little bit before placing it on the countertops.

Besides protecting your countertops from heat, you also should protect them from knife scratches. This calls for you to never cut anything directly on the countertops. Instead, use a cutting board.

Install the countertops properly

You can put all the maintenance measures in place, but it’s all useless if you haven’t properly installed the countertops. So, the first thing you should do is have the countertops expertly installed by experienced and certified granite contractors Rockville.

When hiring the contractors, take your time and ensure that the contractor has installed similar countertops before and know what they are doing.

31

Aug

Do You Need Hot Pads On Granite?

If you are wondering, do you need hot pads on granite? You must be new with granite countertops, and you are wondering whether they need any form of protection, right?

The answer is yes, you need to place hot pads on granite to protect the surfaces from damage.

It might sound weird that you need to protect granite while it’s one of the toughest materials in the market, but the truth is that while granite is tough, it’s not heatproof. This means that when you repeatedly place hot items on it, it’s a matter of time before you completely damage it.

To prevent this from happening, you need to use hot pads or trivets at all times. If you don’t have them, let the food cool in the oven, then bring it down once it has completely cooled down and is harmless to the countertops.

What other things do you need when using granite?

Besides the hot pads and trivets, there are plenty of other things you need to have when using granite. They include:

Sealer

Although granite surfaces are tough, they are porous. This means that when water and other liquids spill on the surfaces, if you don’t remove them early enough, they sink to the inner layers and stain your countertops. You don’t want this, do you?

To prevent the staining from coming about, always seal your countertops. You should do the sealing when you are installing the countertops then at least once a year thereafter.

The purpose of the sealer is to prevent the liquids from moving too fast into the inner layers, and as a consequence, you have enough time to wipe them down.

You should note that even if you have sealed your countertops, you should still move with haste and remove the spills because if you delay, the liquids will still get to the inner layers and stain your expensive countertops.

Cutting block

The other thing you need when you are working with granite is a cutting block. Again, even if the countertops appear tough, they aren’t damage-proof. If you repeatedly cut your vegetables and onions directly on the countertops, you will leave knife marks on them, which, as you can guess, will make your countertops ugly, forcing you to replace them so that you can have the countertops of your dreams.

The right thing to do is to always have a cutting board on the countertops at all times—this is where you should cut your vegetables and onions. At no time should you cut directly on the countertops, as you will damage them.

Ladder or stool

The other thing you should have with you as a granite owner is a ladder or stool. What do most homeowners do when reaching for the top shelf? They step on the countertops. Others sit on the countertops as they are preparing the meals. This is wrong.

Yes, granite counters are tough, but when you put a lot of pressure on them, they are bound to snap and break. You don’t want this to happen to your expensive countertops, do you?

To ensure that it doesn’t happen, have a stool in the kitchen to sit on as you wait for the meals to cook. When you want to reach the top shelf or change the bulb, don’t step on the countertops—have a ladder in place instead.

Water and soap

To keep the countertops looking great, you should have water and soap to do the cleaning. Some homeowners think that they should use tough cleaning agents such as ammonia and others for the best-looking countertops, but they shouldn’t.

While these cleaners are great, they are tough on your countertops, so they end up damaging them when you repeatedly use them.

Granite counters are one of the easiest countertops to maintain, and all you need to do is clean them with soap and water.

Stains are the biggest enemies of the countertops, so you should strive to keep them as much as possible. Granite installers Montgomery County MD recommend you avoid using liquids on the countertops as much as possible.

When spills happen, move with haste and get rid of them before they get to the deeper levels and stain the countertops.

23

Aug

What Should You Know About Sealing Granite Countertops?

You should seal your countertops to prevent them from staining. What should you know about sealing granite countertops? Well, there are plenty of things you should know with the common ones being:

You should seal the countertops at installation.

Most of the granite slabs come the same way they were at the granite store—bare, unsealed, and prone to staining. As you can guess, installing the countertops and leaving them this way is catastrophic as they will be at great risk should a drink spill on them.

For you to be at peace that no stain will result should a spill happen, ensure that the contractors properly seal the countertops before they leave.

Reseal the countertops every year

Even after the contractors install the countertops and seal them, you should make it a habit to reseal them at least once a year. The reason for this is because the sealant tends to wear off with time, and you have to reinstall it to restore its effectiveness.

While it’s good to reseal the countertops, you shouldn’t do it blindly. Before you apply the sealant, test the countertops to confirm they are ready for the sealant.

How do you do this?

There are plenty of ways to go about it. One of the ways is to do the oil and lemon test. Here you need to spill a few drops of lemon juice and cooking oil on the countertops and let them sit on the surface for at least five minutes, then wipe them dry.

If there are dull spots on the areas where the lemon juice hit the surface, the seal might have worn off, and it’s time to reinstall it. The same thing applies if the surface turns dark almost immediately after placing oil or lemon juice.

If the oil and juice stay on the surface for over five minutes without sinking, the chances are high that the granite doesn’t need sealing, and you should leave it in its present form.

Another test you can do to determine if the countertops are ready for sealing is the water drop test. Here you need to drip a small puddle of water on the stone, and if the store immediately darkens, it’s time to reseal it.

If the stone takes 4-5 minutes to darken, the sealer might have worn out, and it’s time to install a new one.

You can seal the countertops by yourself?

Although sealing is such an important part of maintaining the countertops, did you know you don’t have to hire a professional to do it?

To save money and learn a skill, do the sealing yourself. Begin with cleaning the countertops. As a rule of thumb, clean the countertops at least 24 hours before you apply the sealant.

The purpose of sealing the countertops is to get rid of any damaging vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, harsh cleansers, and bleach.

Remove all the materials on the countertops and wipe them down with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Then, you should mix one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and two tablespoons of isopropyl alcohol in a pint spray bottle and fill it with cool water.

Generously spray the countertop, wipe it clean while polishing in a circular motion, and then wait 24 hours before proceeding.

As mentioned above, you should do the cleaning at least 24 hours before you apply the sealant. This is to give the cleaning liquid enough time to evaporate fully.

The next morning, apply a sealant over the entire granite counter begging from the end and work your way to the other. For an easier time and ideal results, apply the sealant in sections, in a circular motion.

Once you are done, give the sealant enough time to absorb, then using a clean, soft, dry rag, wipe out the extra sealant.

If the sealant requires another coat, give it time to cure (between 2-40 hours). To avoid wiping off the sealant, granite installers Rockville recommend you wait for at least 48 hours before wiping the surfaces with a wet substance.

You also should leave the countertops for the same amount of time before returning the kitchenware.