30

Mar

How Do You Ruin Granite Countertops?

While granite is one of the toughest countertop materials on the market, it can still get ruined. How do you ruin granite countertops? There are plenty of ways you can do it. These ways include:

Ignoring spillages

Due to the tough granite look, some homeowners ignore it when spills happen on granite surfaces. This is wrong. While granite is tough, it’s highly porous, so when you let even water sit on the surfaces for a long time, it risks sinking to the deeper layers and causing stains.

To prevent this from happening, you should make it a habit to clean the spills as soon as they happen.

If you were away when the spills happened, and now the countertops are already stained, all is not lost as there are several tricks you can use to remove the stain.

One of the most effective ways to remove the stain is to use a homemade paste out of acetone and baking soda. Let the mixture sit overnight, then wipe it clean and rinse it with water.

To completely remove the stain, you may have to repeat this process 2-3 times, so it’s always wise to reseal the countertop surfaces after the process, as acetone has been shown to strip away the existing sealer.

If you repeat this process and still the stain doesn’t go away, get in touch with a professional to help you remove it.

Placing hot pots directly on the countertops.

Granite is one of the hardest stones on earth, so the hot pots and pans can’t damage it, right? Well, this is wrong.

While the countertop is heat resistant, it’s not heatproof. This means that when you regularly expose it to a lot of heat, it’s bound to get damaged, and you don’t want this, do you?

To protect your countertops, always have trivets and heat pads in place. These will absorb the heat and keep your surfaces safe from heat damage.

Cutting directly on granite

The same way granite is tough and can withstand heat damage for some time is the same way it can withstand knife abuse, but for just some time.

When you regularly chop meat, vegetables, or anything else on the countertops, you create significant scratches on the countertops, which dulls the appearance of the stone. There is also the risk of damaging the knives.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, always have a chopping board in the kitchen and use it whenever you want to cut anything.

Standing on the countertops.

As we have been saying, granite has a tough look, and this encourages homeowners to sit or even stand on the countertops. While you might get away with it at first, there is the risk of cracks on the countertops enlarging and breaking the countertop surfaces when you repeatedly do it.

Sometimes the countertops will crack and break especially when you sit or stand on the edges.

Avoid sitting or standing on the countertops to be on the safe side. If you want to spend time in the kitchen as you are preparing the meals, don’t sit on the countertops. Use a chair.

Instead of standing on the countertops as you reach the top shelf or replace the bulb, stand on a ladder or stool.

The same way you shouldn’t sit or stand on the countertops is the same way you shouldn’t let the children sit or stand there as the present striations will crack under excessive weight.

Using the wrong cleaning products

Every homeowner wants to give their countertops the best look possible, so they are sometimes tempted to clean the surfaces with tough cleaning products.

As much as cleaning products containing ammonia and bleach thoroughly clean the surfaces, they sometimes lead to the granite stone losing its luster, and you are forced to spend a good amount of money polishing the surfaces.

To prevent this, avoid tough cleaning products. Instead, use soap and hot water. To prevent the surfaces from being too dirty, clean them often.

Granite contractors Rockville recommend that you clean the surfaces at the end of each day. This way, the surfaces don’t accumulate too much dirt that you are tempted to use tough cleaning products.

17

Jan

Do You Need Trivets On Granite?

If you are asking, do you need trivets on granite, you must have installed granite countertops in your kitchen, and you are wondering whether you should protect them using a trivet, right?

You place trivets between the countertop and the hot pan to protect the surfaces from getting burned. And yes, you need trivets on granite.

The cool thing is that trivets do more than protect the counters from burn marks—they also protect you from having broken baking dishes or a cracked countertop due to thermal shock.

Overall, having a trivet in place reduces the chances of damaging your valuable items, so it’s wise always to have them in place.

But aren’t granite countertops heat resistant?

Yes, granite countertops are heat resistant, and this is one of the primary reasons they are heavily used in the kitchen, but they aren’t heatproof.

This means that while you might not experience any damage on the countertops when you place hot pans on them for the first few times, when you repeatedly do it, you risk causing permanent damage to the surfaces.

What are other granite best practices?

Besides having a trivet or hot pad on your countertops to protect them from damage, there are plenty of other best practices that ensure your countertops retain their good looks for a long time. Some of these best practices include:

Clean the countertops regularly

There is no way your countertops will look good if you don’t clean them regularly, is there? Make it a habit to clean your surfaces at least once every day.

The cool thing is that cleaning the countertops is easy as all you need is soap and water. Spray some soapy water on your countertops, then wipe it with a clean piece of cloth, and you are good to go.

Regardless of how dirty your countertops are, don’t clean them with ammonia, bleach, degreasers, glass cleaner, and other abrasive products as they reduce the effectiveness of the granite sealer, leaving your countertops vulnerable to stains. To avoid damage and keep your countertops looking good for a long time, stick to cleaning them with soap and water.

When choosing the soap type, avoid dish soap as its repeated use causes a soapy build-up that dulls the shine of your surfaces, leaving them ugly and uninviting. For the best outcome, use soap designed to clean granite surfaces.

Seal the countertops regularly

As much as they are tough, granite counters are porous. This means they have pores on them that increase their chances of staining should spills happen. You should seal the countertops with countertop sealing products to seal these pores.

There are plenty of products in the market, but not all are right for your countertops. Research and find one designed for your countertops.

You should do the sealing at the time of installation then once a year thereafter. You can do the sealing work yourself or hire a professional to help you out.

For the best outcome, it’s always wise to have a professional do it.

Clean spills as soon as they happen

As you are preparing the meals, accidents are bound to happen. For example, coffee, soda, citrus juice, tomato sauce, or even water will spill on your surfaces. Even if you have sealed the countertops, the liquids can find their way under your countertops and cause hard-to-remove stains, when you allow them to stand there for a long time.

To avoid this, make it a habit to clean spills from your countertops as soon as they happen.

Use cutting boards

When you are chopping meat, fruits, or vegetables, it’s tempting to want to chop directly on your countertops due to how tough they look, but don’t. This is because you will scratch the countertops, which gives the surfaces a cheap, dull look.

To keep your countertops scratch-free, always use a chopping/cutting board to protect both your countertops and knives.

Granite installers Rockville also recommend you keep off hard objects such as rings and bottles as they can scratch or even dent the countertops, and you don’t want this, do you?

 Yes, you need trivets on your countertops.

To keep your countertops in pristine shape, you need trivets. There are no right or wrong trivets. As long as the units provide you with the protection you need, you are good to go.

07

Jan

How Do You Make Granite Countertops Look Good?

Granite countertops look magnificent in any home, and this is one of the primary reasons many homeowners go for them. If you have had your countertops for a long time and they have started losing their original exquisite look, you must be wondering, how do you make granite countertops look good, right?

Well, there are plenty of ways you can do it. Some of these ways include:

Shine the countertops

When you installed the countertops for the first time, you must have noticed an inviting natural shine. The shine is largely due to the high quartz content in granite.

While the shine is inviting when new, over time, it fades off, giving your countertops an old, cheap look.

To make your countertops look good, you need to maintain this shine. Besides cleaning the countertops regularly, you also should regularly polish the surfaces.

Thankfully, there are plenty of polishing products in the market you can use. All you need to do is find those that match your countertops and give your surfaces a perfect look you are looking for.

When polishing the countertops, take care not to use rough cleaning tools that scratch the surface. As a rule of thumb, use a soft cloth, precisely a microfiber cloth, that won’t cause any harm to the surface.

Use the same soft cloth to buff the surfaces and buff in a circular motion to don’t cause any harm and reach the entire surface.

Other ways to keep your granite looking good

Besides polishing the countertops, there are many other ways to keep your granite looking good. Some of these other ways include:

Take good care of the countertops

Like your car, clothes, appliances, or any other thing, if you want your countertops to look good, you have to take good care of them.

The beauty is there are plenty of ways to take care of them. Some of these ways include:

Clean spills immediately: As soon as spills happen, you should clean them to avoid hard-to-remove stains from forming.

Use coasters: Coasters come in handy at preventing the hot pots placed on the countertops from coming into direct contact with the countertops. As a rule of thumb, use high-quality coasters that will provide the countertops with maximum protection and last for a long time.

Use cutting boards: The same way you should use coasters and hot pads is the same way you should use cutting boards when cutting meat, vegetables, and other food items. As a rule of thumb, never cut directly on granite surfaces.

Don’t sit on the countertops: It’s normal for most homeowners to sit on the countertops as they wait for food to cook. Others will come to the kitchen and sit there as they chat. This is wrong.

To avoid cracking your countertops, avoid sitting on them, especially on the edges. You also should avoid standing on them to reach the top shelves or replace a burnt bulb.

Clean the countertops regularly

As mentioned above, cleaning the countertops goes a long way towards keeping them looking good. When doing the cleaning, use the right cleaning products.

In most cases, water and soap are enough to keep the surfaces in top shape, but you can use commercial cleaning products when looking for that extra shine. When buying the cleaner, use one specifically designed for granite surfaces.

Never use ammonia, citrus, or vinegar to clean the surfaces as they are highly acidic cleaners, and using them will dull the surfaces.

The right way to clean the countertops is to spray or mist the cleaner across the entire surface, then let it sit for a minute, after which you wipe it with a soft microfiber cloth until it’s dry.

Seal the countertop

The final thing you should do is seal the countertops to lock out any materials that might try to find their way into the countertops. You can seal the countertops or hire granite countertop installers Rockville to help.

When sealing the surfaces, work in small sections to don’t spray the same area more than once. After applying the sealant, wipe the surfaces with a soft cotton cloth until completely dry.

11

Dec

Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Granite Countertop Sparkling Clean

When every homeowner installs granite countertops, they want them to look clean and sparkling all the time. The good news is that this is possible. How do you do it? Here are tips to keep your kitchen granite countertop sparkling clean:

Clean the countertops properly

It goes without saying that if you want to keep your countertops sparkling, you have to clean them properly. To help you out, here are the cleaning steps to follow:

Begin with clearing any items from your kitchen countertops. These include cooking appliances such as crockery and blenders. You should then follow it up by getting rid of dust and debris using a sponge or microfiber.

Granite surfaces are sensitive to abrasive scrubbing techniques, so use soft brushes when cleaning. You should also avoid acidic chemicals, including vinegar, as they are known to destroy the sealants, weakening the countertops’ stain-resistant qualities.

Use warm water, soap, and a cleaning cloth for the best outcome.

After getting rid of the dust, dampen your microfiber cloth with warm water, then wipe your countertops gently. To prevent a lot of grime from accumulating on the countertop, rinse your cloth in fresh water periodically.

You should thoroughly wipe down your countertops from one end to the other until you cover the entire area.

For maximum cleaning effect, do the cleaning in an “S” pattern. If there are stubborn stains on the surfaces, you may have to intensify your scrubbing to remove the stubborn stains.

Once you are done with the cleaning, disinfect the countertop surfaces using a mixture of alcohol and water. A cup of each of these ingredients is enough, but add a few drops of cooking oil for better results.

Spray the mixture evenly on the surface, then after five minutes, wipe the surfaces gently with a dry cloth.

Get rid of tough stains.

Although daily cleaning with warm water and soap is enough to keep your countertops clean, sometimes you will have tough-to-remove stains. As you can tell, you can’t have clean, shiny countertops when there are ugly stains on the surfaces, can you?

To get rid of these stains, you should use baking soda, known to have excellent stain removal capabilities. To do the cleaning, you need to mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and warm water in a bowl until they form a thick paste.

Although it’s commonly used as a wound disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide is highly effective at getting rid of stains without bleaching or discoloring the countertops.

Carefully spread the thick paste over the countertops, then cover them with plastic wrap, ensuring you reach over the edges. Let the mixture do its magic overnight, then the following morning, rinse it thoroughly with water and wipe it down to reveal a stain-free kitchen top.

Prevent stains from forming

Instead of struggling to remove stains, you should prevent them from coming about in the first place. How do you do this?

The first thing to do is ensure that spills don’t stay on the countertops for a long time. As soon as spills happen, get rid of them. If you aren’t in the house when the spills happen, get rid of them as soon as you notice them.

When cleaning the countertops, don’t use abrasive chemicals to get rid of the spills. A simple piece of cloth is enough.

The other thing you should do is seal the countertops. Granite countertops are porous, so when you don’t seal them, there is the risk of the spills seeping deeper into the countertops resulting in tough to remove stains.

Seal the countertops the first time you install them, then once a year thereafter.

For the best outcome, use the highest quality sealer. You also should ensure that the sealing is done by experienced granite contractors Montgomery County MD.

The final thing you should do to stay away from stains is to avoid placing hot items directly on the countertops. Even if granite is tough and can take a lot of abuse, placing hot items on the counters is bound to cause burn stains that are often difficult to remove.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, always have trivets and hot pads on your counters at all times.

29

Nov

What to Do With Granite Countertops

When buying granite for the first time, all you hear is what you shouldn’t do to it. For example, you are told that you shouldn’t sit on it, you shouldn’t place hot items on it, you shouldn’t wash it with harsh products, and so on.

If you are a granite fan, you must be wondering what you can do with it, right? Well, here is what to do with granite countertops:

Clean them with soap and a rag

Soap and rag are all you need to leave your countertops spotless. To clean the surfaces, wet a rag and apply a bit of soap to the countertop or your rug. You should then wipe the entire surface once to clean it.

To avoid spreading food, grease, and dirt, wring the rag with fresh water and once you are done, rinse the rag and wipe it down the counter with fresh water to remove any soap residues.

Follow it with drying the countertop with a microfiber cloth.

If the soap isn’t getting your countertops clean enough or you want to get better results, use a special countertop cleaner.

You can also make your special granite cleaner. To make the cleaner, you need to mix 50/50 rubbing alcohol with water, then add 20 drops of your favorite essential oils. This mixture will not only clean the countertops, but also disinfect them.

Remove granite stains

The other thing you can do is remove granite stains. Regular daily cleaning is enough to leave your countertops spotless, but sometimes you spill something, and you don’t remove it on time. In such a case, you have to think about removing the stains without damaging the natural stone.

One of the ways to do it is to apply baking soda paste. Regardless of the nature of the stain, the chances are high that baking soda will remove it. To get rid of an oil-based stain, make a baking soda paste with water and if you are dealing with a water-based stain, mix the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide.

Apply the paste over the stained areas, gently scrub the counter with a soft cloth and rinse it thoroughly. If the stain doesn’t come off the first time, repeat it.

If you repeatedly scrub the surface and the stain doesn’t come off, cover the area with plastic wrap and tape the edges down. Leave the homemade stain remover in place overnight or after a few days, then rinse and wipe the granite with a soft cloth and this will hopefully reveal the stain-free surface.

Seal the countertops

Most granite countertops come with a seal coat, but this isn’t enough—you need to add an extra layer to keep your countertops in top shape. You can do the sealing by yourself if you have the skills, but let an expert do the work for the best outcome.

You have two options with sealants—water and solvent-based sealants. Water-based sealants are environmentally friendly, while solvent-based sealants go deeper into the soil.

Regardless of what you settle on, when making the purchase, be on the lookout for the active ingredient “fluorocarbon aliphatic resin.” This product provides over 10 years of protection and repels oil from your surfaces, so you don’t have to worry about oils on your surfaces.

Begin with cleaning the countertops to remove dirt, dust, and other materials that might be present. One of the best ways to clean is to mix one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and two tablespoons of isopropyl alcohol in a pint spray bottle and fill it with cool water.

You should then generously apply it on the countertops and wipe it clean with polishing using a microfiber cloth. Give the countertops 24 hours to completely dry out before applying the sealer.

Proceed and apply your desired sealer. To prevent the sealer from coming off, it’s recommended you leave it at least 24 hours before using the countertops.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you can do with your granite counters. If you can’t do something to your counters, let granite companies Rockville or any other professionals help you out—you don’t want to do something you can’t, and you ruin your precious surfaces, do you?

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.

31

Jul

What Colors Of Granite Are There?

Are you looking to install granite countertops and are wondering what colors of granite are there? Well, there are many of them, with the most common ones being:

White granite

White granite countertops are probably the most common slab types. In fact, they are the first color that comes to most people’s minds when they think about granite.

Although the slabs are white, they aren’t smooth and plain white—they contain veins of other colors while some have a darker tone.

White granite slabs are mainly made up of white feldspar and creamy white quartz, with the most popular types being River white, Juprana Delicatus granite, Ivory Fantasy, Moon white, and Bianco Antico granite.

The beauty of white granite slabs is they can fit both antique and contemporary homes and business buildings. You only need to work with your contractor and find the best way to install them professionally.

Black granite slab

Although, they aren’t as popular as white slabs, most homeowners have embraced them, and now you will find them in more homes than before.

The countertops originate from gabbro, basal, norite, and diabase. The major mineral components being plagioclase and pyroxene.

When properly installed, the slabs provide an excellent and outstanding contrast with the light colors in the kitchen or bathroom. Since they are dark, they are best suited for larger kitchens and bathrooms. As a rule of thumb, avoid installing them in smaller rooms to make the room appear even smaller than it is.

Uba uba granite

They originated from Brazil, and compared to other types in the market, they contain plenty of gold, gray, and green specs that run randomly on the black background. As a result, you have shimmering countertops that you can’t stay away from.

Bianco Antico granite

If you are looking to give your countertops a strong and classic look, these are the countertops to go for. They feature a mixture of red and brown flecks and spots that give them one of a kind look.

When properly installed, the countertops have a soft white-ish gray color with pink and brown spots.

River white granite

This granite originates from India, and it features a white background flourished with red spots and veins of a dark gray color. It’s also common to find some countertops with a combination of blue, gray, and off-white flecks on the surface.

Overall, the countertops give your kitchen and bathroom surfaces a more vibrant white appearance.

Black galaxy granite

The slab’s rich black background is filled with fine grains of white and gold specks that give it a unique look. It’s also common to find some slabs with larger grains of these specks.

Although, you can pair galaxy granite countertops with almost any other color, they look their best when paired with light brown or beige, which gives the surfaces a classic look.

Black pearl granite

The most identifying feature of these countertops is the depth and smoother tone with fewer specks and flecks around the surface, giving the countertops a unique look.

If you have always wanted to install an all-around, rich, deep black tone in your kitchen or bathroom, this is the best one to go for.

Tan brown granite

If your cabinets are wooden and your furniture dark brown, this is the best slab color to go for.

These countertops have a rich and slightly dark brown tone with an almost uniform combination of burnt orange, black and red specks.

For the perfect match, paint your cabinets and other parts of the kitchen or bathroom tan brown. The tan-brown gives an excellent contrast that you will be proud of for years.

New Caledonia granite

This is a gray granite slab that has interchanging shades of dark and light gray tones. In some slabs, you will have streaks of black placed randomly around the countertop surface.

For the best look, install the countertops in the interior of the house or commercial building.

You should work with your granite installers Montgomery County MD and find the ideal colors to pair it with, to get the perfect look.

15

Jun

How to Change Countertops without Replacing

Are you wondering how to change countertops without replacing them? There are plenty of ways on how to do it. Here are some of them:

Install some tile

If you don’t have money to buy granite countertops, you should go the tile way. Here you need to buy the tile countertops then lay them on already existing countertops such as laminate.

Before you place the countertops on the new surfaces, put a waterproofing membrane on the existing countertops and an edging trim around your sink. Once you are done, start tiling the surfaces.

While this project seems easy, it’s not, especially if you have never done it before so if this is your first time, consider hiring a professional to help with the installation.

Install a concrete countertop

Concrete countertops are affordable, and you can plaster concrete on any surface. You only need to ensure that the surface can carry the concrete weight.

Begin with sanding the surfaces, then apply a feather finish product according to the instructions given on the bottle.

You should then apply an even layer of concrete on the surface and let it dry. Once it has dried, sand it with 120 grit sandpaper, then apply two more concrete layers.

Most homeowners opt for the standard look but if this isn’t what you are looking for, customize the surfaces as per your needs.

Slap on a coat of paint

The beauty of painting countertops is you can easily do it by yourself even if you have never done it before. You can use any paint to transform your surfaces but for the best experience, use high-quality enamel paint.

Begin preparing the surfaces by roughing them up with a power sander to provide a suitable surface for the paint to adhere to. Once the surfaces are prime for the paint, apply your desired paint with a brush or sponge roller.

Would you love to add texture to the counters? Use a sponge dipped in contrasting paint colors.

Your imagination is your limit when transforming your countertops with paint, so you should be as creative as possible to get an interesting look.

After applying the final coats, apply a couple of polyurethane coats to protect the painted surface and add a glossy shine.

Cover the surfaces with polyurethane

When properly installed, polyurethane adds a deep, glossy shine to the countertop surfaces, and the beauty is you can use several variations of the product to refurbish your countertops.

If you have never done it before, hire a professional to help you place the polyurethane on the countertops.

If you don’t have money to hire a professional to help with the installation, there are plenty of videos online you can use to learn.

Install granite overlays

From their name, you place granite overlays directly on your existing surfaces, and if you don’t have a large kitchen, you can do the installation in one day.

To install the overlays, remove the sink then cover the counter and backsplash surfaces with overlays. All you have to do is to attach the ¼-inch pieces using adhesive to your surfaces.

Although you can easily install the overlays on your surfaces, you should always hire a professional to help with fabricating the pieces to your desired size.

Apply a concrete skin coat

If you like the concrete look, but don’t want to remove your existing counters and install concrete counters from scratch, apply a concrete skim coat on the surfaces with a specially designed product for patching or skim coating floors.

You should note that while the skim coat might make the countertops look tough, they aren’t, and they don’t last as long as full concrete counters.

Cover the countertops with contact paper

Contact papers make a lot of sense if you are renting a property, but you want to transform the look of the surfaces. Since you can’t transform the surfaces permanently, contact papers make an excellent option.

Begin with finding contact papers resembling your dream countertops. These can be quartz countertops Rockville or any other surfaces. You should then clean the surfaces and, after drying, position your paper in such a way that there are as few seams as possible.

Using a credit card or a similar product, flatten down the paper and trim the excess. Go over the surfaces with a sealant and overlap any seams by at least an inch.

21

May

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

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

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

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

Laminate

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

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

Cultured marble

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

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

Paint

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

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

Bamboo

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

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

Tiles

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

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

Wood

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

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

Stainless steel

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

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

Recycled glass

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

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

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Apr

Can Heat Ruin Granite Countertops?

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

What can you do to protect your countertops?

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

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

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

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

What should you do to already damaged countertops?

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t work with raw meat on granite surfaces.

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

Don’t stand on the countertops.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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