31

Oct

How To Shop For Granite Countertops

Granite always delivers: It brings exclusivity, adds a touch of elegance, and improves the value of your home. To get the most from it, you have to buy the right one. Not sure how to go about it? Here are tips on how to shop for granite countertops:

Know what you want

You can’t buy any slab you come across—you need to know what you want and what will look the best for your home. Remember, granite comes in a wide array of colors and patterns. It also comes in plenty of edges, with the most common edges being: square, rough, bullnose, and rounded.

You also need to know the size of the countertop you need. This will require you to take a tape measure and measure the number of square feet of surface area you need. As you take the measurements, remember to include edge allowances, overhangs, backsplashes, seam allowances, and other things.

If you aren’t sure about the right countertop that will look the best for your home, get a professional’s input. The technician will even help you choose the right shape of slab, the right size, the appropriate slab thickness, and many other things.

Once you know what you want, start visiting different countertop and home improvement stores asking for quotes. Most companies will give you a free quote, and all you need is to compare the quotes and settle on the most sensible.

While the cheapest quote might be attractive, be cautious about it as the contractors might be selling substandard products.

Simultaneously, avoid extremely priced countertops as the company might be trying to rip you off.

Don’t buy the slabs countertops.

While online shopping is convenient, you shouldn’t buy the countertop slabs online. This is because a slab might be looking good in the store photos, but have a completely different look in your kitchen or bathroom, often due to lighting.

When looking to buy granite, the best way to go about it is by visiting the local showroom and physically inspecting each granite slab. Even after inspecting the slab at the store, don’t make the final commitment to buy the slab.

Take a sample of the slab to your home and see how it looks on your surfaces. If you like the look, go ahead and make the purchase.

Pay attention to the seams.

Seams make it easy to join different countertop slabs, but they can also mess with the counters’ look. If you have to use more than one slab, you have to deal with seams. The seams’ quality will vary depending on the length and width of the cabinets, the actual physical size of the slab, and access to the property.

To ensure your property doesn’t have ugly seams, work with experienced contractors who will help you minimize the number of seams in your countertops. They do this by ensuring they work with whole slabs as much as possible.

Before installing the countertops, enquire from the contractors where the seams will be located and how visible they will.  This will ensure everyone is on the same page, and there are no surprises once you have installed the countertops.

Invest in a good thickness

Thin countertop slabs are not only cheap-looking, but they also don’t hold a lot of weight. When you are at the store, always go for a thick slab. Thankfully, you can tell how thick a slab is by looking at it.

Other than thickness, also touch the slab. If it feels weak or has an abnormal texture, stay away from it.

Work with a professional

Buying the right countertops is one thing and an entire ball game to properly install the countertops. Unless you are a dab hand at DIY projects, you should let granite installers Rockville handle the installation.

As you are hiring, ensure the contractor knows geometry. This knowledge will come in handy at ensuring you have as few seams as possible. To find such a professional, take your time and ask them as many questions as possible before hiring.

After installing the countertops, remember to take good care of them. As a rule of thumb, avoid placing hot items or weighty items directly on the surfaces. You also should avoid cleaning the surfaces with vinegar and other tough products that can etch the surfaces.

17

Oct

How Do I Calculate How Much Granite Countertops I Need?

How do I calculate how much granite I need? Is a common question you will hear from homeowners looking to install granite countertops for the first time.

Granite is sold in square footage so what you need to do to determine the amount of granite you need is to find out the overall square footage of your countertop area.

How do you do this? Here is a guide on how to go about it:

How to calculate the amount of granite you need

  1. Measure the length of your countertops along the wall, taking the measurements in inches. The measurements should include the one-inch overhang for any countertop edge that isn’t against the wall.

If the counter is broken up into sections due to the presence of an oven or sink, subtract the occupied space from the overall length.

Measure the width of the countertop beginning from the wall, extending outward to the front of the countertop.

Multiply the length of the countertop by the countertop width. The resulting number is the area of the countertop in square inches.

2. Measure the height of your backsplashes. The measurement should reach from the countertop surfaces to the top of the backsplash.

Multiply the length of the countertop to the height of the backsplash to get the area of your backsplash.

Add the area of the backsplash to the area of the countertop, and the resulting number is the total amount of granite you need expressed in square inches.

3. Finally, convert these results to square feet. To do this, divide the number of square inches by 144.

If this is your first time buying the countertops, you should know that granite comes in slabs, and chances are your measurements won’t exactly match the available sizes of your granite slab.

The good thing is most countertop sellers will only charge you for the section of the slab you use.

What should you look for when buying a granite slab?

Thickness

You want a thick countertop that won’t break when you install it. Avoid the popular ¾ inch countertops as they are fragile and often require laminate edges and supports. While they are affordable to install, they don’t last long enough, and you have to replace them more often.

For best results, buy 1-inch countertops. While they will be more expensive to buy, they will give you a long service making them affordable in the long run.

Cracks and natural pits

Most hairline cracks and pits are natural and add natural beauty to your countertops, and you have nothing to worry about when you see them. Unfortunately, sometimes the cracks are too deep, which compromises the integrity of the countertops, especially if your countertops are less than 1 inch thick.

At the time of purchase, carefully go through the countertops, and if you notice an imperfection, ask the stone seller or fabricator how it affects the stone and how it can cause harm.

Seams

If you have the money, opt for seamless granite slabs as they tend to look better. While the seamed countertops look good at the time of purchase, it’s not the case five or ten years down the line.

Edges

To have an easy time installing the countertops, get a custom-designed edge that will fit your cabinet detail. Most fabricators won’t customize the edges, so you need to visit different stores and ask them whether they are willing to customize them for you.

If, on the other hand, the standard edges are okay with you, go with bevel edges.

Installing the countertops

After buying the countertops, the next step should be to install them. If you have the skills, you can install the countertops by yourself, but for best results, let experienced, and certified granite installers Rockville handle it.

You should note you have to seal the countertops at the time of installation to prevent them from staining and getting damaged. For best results, use a high-quality sealer. Most manufacturers tend to seal their countertops, and you don’t want to waste money resealing them.

Before installing the countertops, first test whether they are properly sealed. You do this by pouring water on the slabs. If the area darkens, you need to seal the surfaces.

09

Oct

Is Quartz Cheaper Than Granite Countertops?

Quartz and granite countertops are two of the most popular countertop materials. Since both are premium, high dollar materials, most homeowners can’t tell which to go for, so you will often hear them asking, is quartz cheaper than granite?

It’s hard to tell whether quartz is cheaper than granite as the price of each depends on plenty of factors such as:

Color: Rare colors will be more expensive than popular colors. For example, since granite is manufactured from natural stone, some colors will be hard to find hence more costly. Quartz is engineered so it can be made to mimic these colors, making it relatively less expensive.

Thickness: Of course, thicker slabs will be much costlier regardless of the material you are using.

Source and shipping cost: Where you are getting the materials will significantly affect the price of the countertops. For example, if getting the stones from China, they will be relatively cheaper than if getting them from Italy.

Since you have to ship both granite and quartz from overseas, their prices will be dependent on petroleum prices, tariffs, and other factors.

Installation: The final factor that will affect the cost of the countertops is their cost of installation. Some contractors will charge more than others. To avoid paying hefty amounts on your countertops, take time to research, and ensure you pay the correct amount for the pieces and their installation.

Other ways the countertops compare

Other than the cost issue, there are plenty of ways in which the countertops vary. This includes:

Composition

For those that don’t know, granite is purely natural as it comes directly from stone quarries then cut into thin slabs that are polished and fabricated into countertops.

Quartz countertops, on the other hand, are engineered stones containing large percentages of natural quartz but may also include other minerals. The slabs aren’t from quarried stone but rather from stone byproducts that are ground up and formed into slabs for countertops and other products.

Appearance

Since granite is natural, it tends to have a unique pattern and color that gives your home a unique, enticing appearance. Quartz, on the other hand, is more uniform in appearance, although you will find some pieces with unique colors and patterns, including some pieces that resemble granite in all ways.

The countertop you choose is solely dependent on your preference. If looking to give your surfaces a unique look, go with granite countertops.

Radon emissions

Although quartz is engineered, it’s good to note that it’s made from natural products (93%) with the remainder being color pigments and polymer resins that bond the materials together. Granite countertops are made from 100% stone, and they need to be quarried out of the earth.

Around 2008, there was media-induced fear regarding radon emissions from granite. Studies have shown that little or no radon is emitted from granite or engineered stone countertops, so you don’t have to worry about radiation when installing either of the countertops.

DIY installation

Unless you have a small project, you should avoid attempting to install the countertops by yourself. Both granite and quartz are extremely heavy materials and need expert skills to install them properly. If you are spending top dollar to buy high-quality materials, it doesn’t make sense risking installing the countertops and damaging them.

For proper installation and peace of mind, you won’t have to replace the pieces after a few years, let expert countertop technicians handle the installation.

Maintenance

Both granite and quartz are tough and durable materials, so there is no doubt that when you properly install them and take good care of them, they will give you a long service.

When it comes to maintenance, granite is porous, so it needs sealing to prevent it from staining. Granite also tends to have cracks and fissures that can be a source of weakness.

Quartz, on the other hand, doesn’t require any sealing, thanks to resins used in the fabrication of the slab. The material is also uniform throughout, so you don’t worry about it cracking after hiring an expensive quartz countertop installer Potomac to install the pieces.

30

Sep

Why Is Marble So Popular And Not Granite Countertops?

With so many kitchen countertop options available such as quartz and granite countertops, when you mention countertops, the first thing that comes to the minds of most homeowners is marble. You must be wondering, why is marble so popular? There are plenty of reasons for this.

Humble beginnings

Before we go into details as to why marble is so popular, we need to go back down memory lane and first understand the history of the stone.

Marble was first used by the ancient Greeks, who used it to construct fireplaces, walls, fountains, kitchen hoods, and many other structures. Some of the notable masterpieces include: the Pantheon, Pisa Cathedral, the Taj Mahal, and Lincoln Memorial.

Why marble is so popular

Marble has plenty of attractive features that make it popular. These features include:

It’s durable

The main reason you will find marble in structures that have been around for centuries is because it’s exceptionally durable and resilient. When properly installed, it won’t chip or dent. When you install it in your kitchen or bathroom, you don’t worry about damaging it when you drop something on it or run into it.

On first look, marble appears fragile, but this isn’t the case. After all, some buildings are still standing centuries after construction.

Marble significantly improves your home value.

When you were scouting for a house, what impression did you have when the real estate agent told you the counters were made from marble? I’m sure you had the impression the house is a high-end property, right? This is what marble does to every home.

The premium stone not only gives you a sense of prestige, it also increases the value of your home. So if you are looking to sell the house at a later date, you sell it at a higher price.

Marble is beautiful

One of the reasons marble was used even in ancient buildings is due to its beauty. Marble comes in a wide array of colors and hues from which you will find one that will fit your décor and home design. If looking to give your house a sense of space, there are white countertops to go for.

If you have a large kitchen and looking to give the impression of elegance, go with one of the many dark options. You only need to ensure a professional undertakes marble countertop installation.

The countertops are easy to maintain

In addition to significantly improving your home value, marble is extremely easy to maintain. To clean it, you need to use mild soap and water. Use a soft cloth to wipe it down. If you have sealed the surfaces, you don’t need to scrub sticky spills. Wipe them as they happen.

Guide to buying marble countertops

Now that we have learned why marble is popular and the ways it can benefit your property, now let’s look at how to buy the ideal slab for your home. You need to consider plenty of factors such as:

Veining patterns

Different quarries have different ways of cutting marble that gives the stone different veining patterns. Some of the ways to cut the stone include: fleuri cut, crosscut, and many others. When making the purchase, carefully consider these patterns and only buy a stone that complements your home.

Cracks and fissures

You need to know the difference between cracks and fissures. Cracks are often large, and they are a sign the slab has been dropped or improperly handled. Don’t buy a slab with cracks on it.

Fissures, on the other hand, are small and natural. They aren’t a sign of a deformity, and there is no harm in buying a stone with fissures, especially if looking for a stone that will give your house a more rustic look.

Origin

Where is the stone mined from? You need to consider this when making the purchase. The best stones are those from Italy, so do your due diligence and make sure the stone you are buying is from Statuario or Carrara. Avoid buying those from china as they aren’t as beautiful and don’t last long.

Parting shot

Above are some of the reasons marble is so popular, and if you love it, you should go ahead and install it in your home. For best results, make sure professional granite countertop installers Rockville or other professionals install it. After installing the stone, finish the look with a penetrating sealer to give the stone a long life.

08

Sep

What Happens If You Don’t Seal Granite Countertops?

If you have been around natural stone countertops, you know you need to seal them to keep them looking their best, but have you ever asked yourself what happens if you don’t seal granite countertops? Here are some of the things that can happen:

Stains from food and grease

When you don’t seal your countertops, they tend to quickly absorb food and liquids, leading to deep stains. Since the countertops are bare, the stains develop within a matter of minutes, even if you are quick to wipe the spill.

The countertops not only absorb liquids, but grease and pigments as well. For example, if you leave a carton of strawberries on your countertops, it’s only a matter of a few minutes, and you find a large stain on your countertops that is hard to remove.

Stains from water

Properly sealed granite will repel liquids and prevent them from permeating into the stone. As mentioned above, an unsealed stone absorbs liquids fast, including water. You might have the impression that something as natural as water can’t harm your countertops, but this isn’t the case.

In an unsealed countertop, water will penetrate, leaving behind watermarks which give your stone an ugly, dirty appearance.

Damage from cleaning products

Vinegar and other harsh cleaning products will damage even the sealed surfaces, but unsealed countertops are more susceptible to damage. Since you haven’t sealed the surfaces, the products that aren’t supposed to harm the surfaces end up hurting them.

For example, products containing citrus quickly eat away at the countertop, seep into the stone and damage the finish, causing discoloration. When you seal the surfaces, you plug the cracks and tiny fissures in the stone, keeping the products from going deep into the stone. As a result you can clean the countertops without worrying about damaging them.

Sealing is straightforward

To keep your countertops in top shape, you should seal them at the time of installation then once a year thereafter. While countertop sealing is such an important task, it’s not complex.

Begin with finding a good quality countertop sealer designed to resist water and oil-based stains. Before you apply the sealer, clean the surfaces, and ensure there are no stains on them.

For best results, work in small areas, giving the sealer time to absorb into the slab before applying the second layer. After covering the entire surface, give the countertops a few hours to dry before using them.

Other ways to maintain granite

Other than sealing it, there are plenty of other things you need to do to ensure your countertop lasts for a long time. These things include:

Don’t step on the countertops

Granite is tough, but it can’t withstand a lot of pressure, especially along the edges. When you are looking to reach onto the top shelf, it’s tempting to step onto the countertops. After all, they are made from stone, right? At no time should you step on granite.

If you have to reach on to something on the top shelf, use a ladder or stool.

Don’t place hot items directly on the countertops.

Granite can withstand heat, but when you repeatedly place hot pans on it, you are bound to discolor it or even cause extensive damage. To ensure your countertops last for a long time, avoid placing hot pans, pots, and other items directly on the surfaces. Instead, use pads, trivets, and other protective materials.

Watch your cleaning products.

As mentioned above, even sealed countertops can get damaged by tough cleaning products, so stay away from them. As a rule of thumb, avoid products bearing acids as they will etch at the surfaces or even discolor your valuable surfaces.

Its recommend you use water and soap to clean the countertops. If the surfaces are too dirty and want to use other cleaning products, first enquire from the countertop company whether you can use it.

Don’t cut directly on the surfaces.

The same way certain homeowners have the impression the countertops are tough, so they can step on them, it’s the same way they think they can get away with cutting onions, meat, and other materials directly on them.

Granite companies Rockville strongly advise against this as it not only damages the countertops, but also your knife. When looking to cut anything on the surface, use a cutting board.

28

Aug

What Are The Different Grades Of Granite Countertops?

It’s a fact granite can transform any kitchen or bathroom surface, but before you rush to install granite countertops, you should know granite comes in different grades that include:

Level 1 granite

Often referred to as builder’s grade or commercial grade, level 1 granite is a lower quality granite, often imported from China and sold through big box stores, granite liquidators, or cut into tile.

This granite has a consistent pattern, but it comes in a variety of colors to choose from, including beige, green, brown, grey, and black.

One of the most popular colors is Santa Cecilia, a light beige stone with bursts of burgundy, gold, yellow, and black. There is also Ubatuba that features an elegant dark green background with speckles of brown, gold, and black.

You may also find White Fiorito attractive. It features black and brown speckling on a soft white slab base.

The material is usually pre-fabricated and used in apartments, furniture, and prefabricated models. This granite is usually of a thinner cut, usually 3/8 inch, and it requires you to install a plywood backing to provide it with more strength.

Although, the slab comes with an entry-level price, it’s durable and highly versatile. This makes it an ideal choice for indoor and outdoor projects both in commercial and residential applications.

Level 2: Mid-grade granite

From its name, this is a mid-grade granite with a thickness of ¾ inch. The material is usually imported from India or Brazil, and it’s characterized by unique colors, more uniform patterns, and a variety of markings.

Granite at this level is known as the silver, and as a homeowner, the best stone to buy is one between “single silver” and “double silver.” At this level, you can find most of the colors available in the market ranging from light to absolute black.

The silvers have speckles, veining patterns, or flecks. They might also be uniform with plenty of options to choose from.

Mid-range granite slabs are ideal for projects throughout the house from kitchen islands to vanity tops and Jacuzzis, to hearths and fireplace surrounds.

Since they are imported, the slabs vary between shipments, so you should avoid buying them online. The best way to go about it is to visit the stone yard and see the individual slab and determine whether its ideal for your application.

Level 3: High-grade granite

This is the finest quality of granite, and it’s often referred to as the gold.  Granite of this level often comes in rare colors, unique, striking patterns, or a combination of both.

The best place to use this granite is in the kitchen as a countertop or as a signature piece for islands. You can also use it on smaller vanities, around fireplaces, and tub surrounds.

Level 4 exotic granite

Exotic granite is naturally rare, with quarries producing limited quantities. This makes it the most expensive countertop material and often common with homeowners that want to make a bold statement in their house. Most homeowners install the countertop on fireplaces, coffee tables, and accent pieces.

Choosing a high-quality granite countertop

For the countertop to last for a long time, you should buy a high-quality one. When making the purchase, you should pay attention to several things that include:

Size: A good quality granite slab should be square, rectangle, or any of your desired shapes. The tolerance shouldn’t exceed 1 in length, and the breadth and thickness tolerance shouldn’t exceed 155 inches.

Color: A good quality granite slab should have a uniform color, uniform thickness, and homogenous crystalline texture.

Hardness: The slab should be hard, dense, and sound. You can check the hardness of the stone by pressing it with a hard object. If you press it and chips of the stone split, stay away from the slab.

Polishing: The stone should have one face properly polished and the edges straight and perfectly at a right angle, which can be achieved by machine or hand cutting. This not only gives the countertop an elegant appeal, but it also makes it easy for granite contractors Rockville to install it.

Talking of installation, ensure the stone is installed by experienced contractors. You don’t want technicians to destroy a stone you have spent a leg and arm on, do you? The contractors should also be insured. This way you are sure you will be compensated in the event of an accident.

12

Aug

What Is The Best Stone For Kitchen Countertops? Countertop Replacement Services Providers Answer

With lots of countertop materials in the market, many homeowners are confused about the right ones to go for. Are you wondering, what is the best stone for kitchen countertops? Here are some of the options to choose from as given by countertop replacement services providers:

Granite

Granite is one of the most popular countertop materials in the market. It has been around for centuries and is loved by homeowners as it completely transforms the kitchen when properly installed. The countertops give modest houses a pleasing, luxurious look.

For years, many homeowners have shied away from granite due to its high cost. Thankfully, due to technological advancements, its prices have drastically come down, making it more affordable.

Pros of the stone

  • Significantly adds value to your kitchen
  • Easy to maintain
  • Strong and durable
  • Almost impervious to heat
  • Comes in plenty of colors and designs

Cons

  • Tends to crack when exposed to a lot of stress or improperly installed
  • Not suitable for DIY installation
  • Expensive
  • Porous, so you need to seal it to prevent stains from coming about
  • Knives tend to quickly dull when you cut directly on the stone

Marble

Like granite, marble has been around since time immemorial, where you can see it even in palaces and other buildings that date back to the Roman era.

One of its most significant setbacks is its high price tag, which makes it impractical to install in large kitchens. Homeowners also see it as the material to install in specific areas of the kitchen, such as the island or sections of the countertop reserved as baking centers.

While marble is highly-priced, it doesn’t easily stain or scratch. To reduce its maintenance, you should seal it with a high-quality sealer.

Concrete

Does your kitchen have an unusual shape, and you would like to maintain the unique look? Why not install concrete countertops? Homeowners have the impression the concrete used is the same you find in the sidewalks, but this isn’t the case.

The concrete used on the countertops is usually highly polished and often textured or even acid-stained to give it unique colors.

Pros of the stone

  • You can tint it to your preferred color
  • Gives your kitchen a unique, exotic look
  • Heat and scratch-resistant

Cons

  • You can’t install it on your own—you have to hire a professional to install it for you
  • You have to seal the surfaces to reduce the porosity
  • Cracking can happen
  • Gives the kitchen an industrial look which might be off-putting to potential homebuyers—if looking to sell the house later on.
  • Due to the customization, the cost of the stone might be high.

Quartz

Also known as engineered stone, quartz comes in a wide range of colors and features a nonporous surface that is resistant to staining and scratching.

Pros

  • Even with minimal skills, you can install the countertop material
  • Quartz slabs are uniform, without any imperfections
  • You can custom fabricate the slabs into any size and shape
  • Due to its nonporous nature, the countertops are resistant to stains and impervious to heat and acid
  • Concrete is easy to maintain as you don’t need to seal it.

Cons

  • The countertops are expensive so unaffordable for many people
  • Quartz is heavy, which can add on a lot of weight on your surfaces.

Ceramic tile

Compared to quartz, marble, and other natural stone countertops, ceramic tile is much more affordable. The countertop material has undergone great transformations, so you will easily find porcelain tiles with different designs. You will find tiles that resemble wood, cork, marble, and even leather.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Comes in a wide range of colors and styles
  • Resistant to heat damage from hot pans
  • Ideal for DIYers as they are easy to install
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • If looking for custom tiles, they can easily get too expensive
  • They don’t carry the same prestige as quartz or granite which might put off future house buyers
  • Ceramic tiles are brittle and can easily crack when put under a lot of stress.

Over to you

There is no definite best stone countertop you can install in your home. The choice solely depends on your tastes and the look you want to create. To choose the right material, consult granite installers Rockville, or any other professionals.

05

Aug

Tips On How To Maintain The Shine On Your Quartz Countertops

There are plenty of reasons you can opt for quartz countertops. They are durable, they last for a long time, they are easy to maintain, among many other things. No homeowner wants ugly countertops, so when you install them, you should take good care of them to retain their great appeal.

To help you out, here are tips on how to keep your countertops looking awesome for years:

Clean them daily

Cleaning the countertops daily not only eliminates dirt and dust, but it also gets rid of germs that might contaminate your food. The cool thing is it’s easy to clean the countertops. Using soap, water, and a soft rag is enough. You can also use a mild detergent, but take care the detergent isn’t too tough for the surfaces; hence end up causing damage.

While regular daily cleaning is enough to keep your surfaces in top shape, you should occasionally use a glass cleaner to clean the countertops deeply. To clean the surfaces, spray the cleaner on your countertops, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off with a wet cloth.

You should stay away from harsh cleaners as they will damage the surfaces. These cleaners are highly acidic or alkaline. Some of the cleaners to stay away from include: bleach, oven cleaner, drain cleaners, Methylene chloride, trichloroethane, and dishwasher rinsing agents.

Get rid of stains as soon as possible.

Although, the countertops are highly resistant to stains, liquids such as coffee and wine can spill on the counters and leave a stain that is hard to remove. To remove the stains, you should use an adhesive remover.

Pour a little bit of cleaner on the stain then let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then remove the stain with a soft cloth. After removing the stain, clean the surfaces with warm water.

Watch the edges

The countertops are tough, but the corners and edges of the surfaces will chip and crack if you consistently strike them with a blunt or sharp object. While you can always hire a countertop restoration professional to fix the surfaces, it’s always good to prevent the chipping in the first place.

When working on the surfaces, avoid working on the edges. If you have many people in the house, let them know how to take care of the surfaces and how to conduct themselves around them.

Keep hot objects away.

The countertops will rarely crack at high temperatures, but when you regularly expose them to hot objects, you put them at the risk of losing their color. To avoid this, you should keep hot pots, pans, and baking sheets from the surfaces.

If you have to place the hot items on the surfaces, use a mat, trivet, or pad.

Use a cutting board

While quartz is highly scratch-resistant, it’s not scratch proof.  So to keep the countertops free of unnecessary scratches and avoid dulling the knives, you should use a cutting board when cutting meat, onions, tomatoes, or any other material.

Keep off permanent markers.

As you are preparing the meals, it’s normal for the kids to come and stay with you in the kitchen. As they are there, it’s tempting to allow them to do their school projects on the kitchen island.

Sometimes they might be using permanent markers that are known to adhere to the surfaces making it hard to remove them.

To remove the colors, you have to use harsh chemicals. While the chemicals will remove the colors, they also tend to damage the countertops. If you have to invite the kids to the kitchen to complete their homework there, ensure they are using water-based markers.

Keep the warranty certificate.

Most reputable manufacturers give a warranty for their products. While quartz is known to last for decades, sometimes problems might come up. For example, the countertops might break or even lose their original color.

When this happens, you can’t return the slabs without the warranty certificate. To have an easy time getting a replacement for your quartz kitchen countertops Potomac, you should keep the warranty certificate.

The certificate also means the countertop company can send a technician to repair or even replace the countertops at no cost on your end.

31

Jul

How Long Do Granite Countertops Last? Find It Here

One of the reasons homeowners are attracted to granite is because it’s durable. Since it’s made from tough materials, it’s resistant to scratching and heat.

Homeowners know granite is durable, but how long do granite countertops last?  When properly maintained, granite can last for a long time. Experts say the countertops can last for more than 100 years.

Comparing granite to other countertop materials

So how does granite compare to the other countertop materials?

  • Natural stone and granite: 100+ years
  • Cultured marble: 20 years
  • Laminate: 20-30 years
  • Concrete countertops: 20 years
  • Tile: 100+ years

How can you ensure the countertops last for as long as possible?

As mentioned above, you need to do the right things for the countertops to last for a long time. Some of the things you should do include:

Choose the right color.

Did you know the color of the stone has a great impact on the durability of the countertops? When you choose the wrong color for your lifestyle, you will be bored with it fast, or it will get stained, forcing you to replace it. The most popular colors to choose from are:

Black: Black is sleek, elegant, and never gets out of style. Black can also give your kitchen the impression of space.

White: Looking to give your kitchen a modern and contemporary look? White is the way to go. For a great look that you will proud of for years, pair it with white appliances and sinks.

Red: It’s said to be the color of daring and energetic. Many homeowners shy away from it so that you won’t find it in many homes. It’s rare to come across pure red, but it’s easy to bump into red granite featuring white, blue, or light-colored highlights that you can use to make a powerful statement.

Green: For a traditional and earthy look, green is the right color to go with. You can also pair green with bursts of grey and brown to create an old-fashioned, comforting vibe that makes your kitchen one of the most relaxing places to be.

Seal the countertops

Another way to make your countertops last for a long time is to seal them. Granite is naturally porous, so air can pass through it. At the time of installation, you should seal the stone so no liquids can go through and cause stains.

To maintain the sealing properties, make it a habit to seal the counters at least once every one or two years.

You can do the sealing yourself or hire an expert to help you out. Regardless of who does the work, ensure you use a high-quality sealing product.

Clean the countertops regularly

Can you imagine a simple act as cleaning the countertops can give your surfaces a long life? Every day, clean granite with warm water and a soft rag. You also should consider investing in a disinfectant cleaner designed specifically for granite surfaces.

You should avoid regular cleaning products on granite as they tend to be too abrasive, and they can easily break down the sealants, exposing your countertops to stains and damage.

Protect the surfaces from damage

Even if the surfaces are tough, when you hit them with heavy material, they will crack, and you have to replace the entire slab. You don’t want this, do you? To protect the surfaces, don’t hit them with a heavy object.

When preparing your food, always use a cutting board.

Ensure the countertops are properly installed

Everything begins here. If your countertops aren’t properly installed, it’s a matter of time before they break. To prevent this, ensure you use extra beams and other support systems necessary to hold up granite.

This calls for you to hire experienced granite contractors Rockville. While they will be a little bit expensive, they will properly install the countertops, which will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Use the countertops properly.

You will have the most properly installed countertops, but they will crack or suffer from other forms of damage if you misuse them. To avoid damage, don’t stand, sit, or use the countertops for any other purpose other than what they are designed to do.

26

Jul

Can’t Afford Granite Countertops? Engineered Stone Countertops Are A Great Option

While everyone would want to have granite countertops and other natural stone countertop materials in their homes, not everyone can afford them. Are you one of these people?

Don’t fret as there are plenty of other cost-effective alternatives you can go with when you are operating on a budget. The best options to go with are engineered stone countertops.

Why engineered stone?

Engineered stone comes with plenty of attractive features that include:

Attractiveness

The stone is made from quartz material that has been compressed into slabs that have similar color and texture to natural granite and slate. As a result, your entire kitchen matches perfectly.

The stone also comes with a variety of colors, such as: rose, grays, and many others. While most of the colors come from the natural color in quartz, you can talk to your designer and add colorants that give you a customized color.

Cleaning the surfaces is easy.

While natural stone countertops are beautiful and high end, the downside is they are porous. This leaves room for bacteria to get into fissures and pores where they are hard to get rid of.

Quartz countertop surfaces are non-porous so they won’t absorb liquids, which makes them easy to clean. If you work with fish, meat, raw vegetables, and other materials are known to make the countertops dirty, engineered stone is a great asset.

You have plenty of options

The countertops come in a wide range of colors and style that gives rise to plenty of countertops. They include:

Silestone

Silestone is made up of 94% quartz known to be extremely hard and resilient. Since the material is impervious to staining, acids, and scratches, Silestone is loved by many people looking for an alternative material. The cool thing is that it comes in plenty of colors with extraordinary textures.

Caesarstone

It’s made up of 95% quartz particles, with the other 5% comprising of polymer resins and coloring. Since quartz is hard enough, it’s highly durable and scratch and stain-resistant. This makes Caesarstone an excellent option for kitchen countertops.

Essastone

Another hard stone made up of 95% natural quartz. The stone is completely non-porous and homogenous and has a low maintenance finish that is resistant to scratches, heat, knocks, chemicals, and staining.

It comes in a variety of color palettes ranging from solids to patterns.

Smartstone

Smartstone comes in twenty-four designs with four color collections, and it’s made up of 93% quartz. First established in 2002, it comprises some of the quartz’s best surfaces. Smartstone comes with several attractive features such as high resistance to heat, chemicals, and staining.

These features make the stone an ideal material for bathrooms and kitchens.

Quantum quartz

Quantum Quartz is made up of 93% natural quartz, and the other 7% is made up of bonding agents and pigments. Quantum Quartz is low maintenance and ultra-hygienic, making it an ideal material for kitchen benchtops.

You can also use it in bathrooms and on the floor in the form of tiles.

What are the major flaws of engineered stone?

While engineered stone comes with all of the above advantages, it comes with its fair share of negatives. One of the negatives is that it’s hard to create curves with engineered stone. You should note that this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to create the designs. You can do the designs, but it will take a long time.

When you are hiring a contractor to do the work, it will cost you a lot of money to complete the work.

Taking care of engineered stone

While the stone is easy to maintain, you still need to take good care of it. Some of the ways of doing it include:

Clean it regularly: The beauty of it is that it’s easy to clean the countertops as they are non-porous. Use regular soap and a piece of cloth to clean the surfaces. Like when cleaning granite and other natural stone countertops, avoid harsh cleaning products as they will etch the surfaces.

You also should avoid placing a lot of pressure on the countertops. While the stone is strong, quartz countertop contractors Potomac advise against hitting the surfaces with a hard object as it can break the countertops. You also should avoid sitting on the edges where the countertops are known to be weak.