24

May

10 Countertop Materials You Can Choose In Place Of Marble

Marble is a beautiful countertop material, but since it’s an expensive material, a lot of people can’t afford it. Those who can, still want an option that looks like marble or more durable than marble, but with a lower price tag. If you want countertop materials similar to marble, then you’re at the right place. Hint: some are even better than marble such as granite and quartz countertops. Let’s begin!

Alternatives To Marble Countertops

Quartz

If marble isn’t in your budget and you just can’t deal with the mountain of maintenance it needs, then you can skip it and go for a very durable, beautiful, and simple quartz.

Quartz is a man-made material made out of natural quartz, minerals, and resin all packed together to give a countertop that is so strong that it will outlive everything else. You can get quartz in a variety of colors too, but if you want to stick to the light marble theme, then quartz has tons of options for you to choose from.

The light background with the contrasting subtle veining is to die for and you will love the look of it in your kitchen. It’s certainly the closest material to marble as far as looks are concerned and it’s also one of the most long-lasting ones, so you know that you won’t need to slave over its maintenance.

Onyx

Even though its name is anything but light, onyx comes in a lot of light colors too and one of the striking resemblances it has to marble is the fact that it looks very much like the fragile stone, but it’s anything but. The color variety of onyx will leave you confused in the best way and you can rest assured that these slabs will last long in the kitchen.

Another great thing about onyx is that it’s very resistant to heat, so say goodbye to those heat stains.

The only downside is that it needs to be sealed because the surface of onyx has a lot of pores that tend to suck water and moisture in. This can ruin your countertops. So, seal them and you will be good to go.

Quartzite

It sounds like quartz, but it’s natural stone and it looks just like marble. If you want to get your hands on a natural stone, since marble is one too, you’re going to love quartzite countertops. Quartzite has that soft and rough and tough finish that perfect quartz doesn’t have and it looks amazing in the kitchen.

It also has a decent color variety and since it’s primarily available in lighter colors, you can get your hands on muted hues. However, just like any other natural stone, you will need to make it waterproof by sealing it. It’s a measure that will make it long-lasting.

Granite

Next in line is granite. Now, you might be thinking: How does granite make a good alternative to marble? It’s dark! Well, granite is available in lighter colors too and you can get amazing slabs in muted colors with the same natural beauty that everyone knows and loves about marble. And the plus point is that granite is more rigid and durable than marble.

There is also subtle veining and mosaic patterns on granite that add that extra layer of something-something to your countertops. Moreover, many types and qualities of granite are cheaper than marble.

Soapstone

Just like its name, soapstone is light, soft, and slippery in the best way. If you want something that looks like marble but has the feel of butter, then soapstone is the material for you. It is soft to the touch and the random subtle and heavy veining just takes this material to the next level.

Be warned though because soapstone is a very fragile material and it can be chipped or cracked if you put too much pressure on it. So, try to take it easy on the poor material and don’t use sharp knives directly on the surface of soapstone and also don’t put heavy items on it if you don’t want scratches or cracks on the surface.

Concrete

White concrete can also mimic the appearance of marble, that is if you do it right. White concrete is available in either pre-made slabs or you can get them fabricated and even add veining to give it that marble-like appeal.

Concrete is a highly porous material though and it can darken over time, especially if you get it wet a lot, so you’ll need to have it sealed and polished after every couple of months. However, it is a much cheaper, but durable option as compared to marble. So, there are many good things going for concrete.

Neolith

Neolith is a new material in the realm of countertops, but it’s getting more and more popular. It is made out of pulverized quartz, glass, and porcelain and it’s a lightweight and durable option for those who want their countertops to look like that of marble. It also has a reasonable price and it is affordable to install. Since it’s lightweight, most people can install it by themselves too.

To add to the qualities of neolith, it is also heat resistant, so all in all, it’s a great material for someone who wants marble-like countertops, but on a budget.

Porcelain

The beautiful porcelain! Even though porcelain slabs are seldom used in kitchens, you can still see the similarities between porcelain and marble. It’s a material that screams “opulence” and “indulgence” and the iridescent look and light color of porcelain will steal your heart.

However, it’s not as strong as the other options. It can chip pretty easily, so it might not be the best option for the kitchen. However, you can safely use it in the bathroom as countertops and vanities and that will look amazing. Porcelain can also be used to make shower fixtures.

But if you only want porcelain for kitchen countertops, there are some varieties that are tougher which can use.

Solid Surface

A durable, man-made option is solid surface. This material is pulverized minerals and resin all sealed together in a rock-hard thing of beauty. The light color is very similar to marble and it also has the option of veining like marble and natural stone countertops.

Solid surface is pretty much robust and indestructible. It’s heat resistant, it doesn’t stain, it doesn’t scratch and it also has built-in UV protection to prevent darkening of the countertops.

Vinyl

If you want a material that is affordable and can mimic almost all of the countertops known to man, then vinyl is the one you want to go for. It’s a combination of plywood slabs and decorative sheets on top. These sheets are magical things because you can print any countertop design on them, stick them onto the panel and call it a day.

It’s probably the cheapest option available so you can safely that it’s not as durable as other options on this list.

Conclusion

Who says you can’t get the beauty of marble countertops at a much more reasonable price? Now you can choose from a list of materials that look strikingly similar to marble. If you want the best options, choose granite or quartz. Get in touch with quartz countertop contractors Potomac to take a look at various light-colored quartz slabs.

06

Nov

Quartz Vs. Solid Surface Countertops: Which One Is Better?

Are you remodeling your kitchen or looking to replace your countertop? Do you need some ideas for new kitchen countertop materials? Well, you came to the perfect place. Here is a comparison between solid surface and quartz countertops. The two most popular engineered stone countertop materials.

Differences Between Quartz And Solid Surface Countertops

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops have unique properties listed below:

Unmatched Durability

Quartz is a man-made material made out of pulverized stones and minerals. They are densely compacted together in the form of slabs under high temperature and pressure. This is why quartz has the upper hand when it comes to durability.

It doesn’t break, chip, or shatter under immense forces or impacts and it doesn’t break along the edges either which is a huge weak point for a lot of natural stones countertop martials no matter how strong the material is.

Quartz is also non-porous, so it doesn’t need to be sealed and it also doesn’t stain because of this characteristic. Quartz is a great option to consider if you’re looking for something that’s going to last you a long time and if you want great value for the money you’re spending.

A great thing about quartz is that it will last you as long as granite, but it will also cost you quite similar to granite.

Maintenance & Variety

When choosing a countertop, the two primary things that people seem to care about are the maintenance and the overall options available. Well, quartz has you covered in both departments and the results are quite promising to say the least.

Quartz is a pretty low-maintenance material and it doesn’t need a lot of cleaning either. All you need to do, to keep quartz countertops spotless, is regular cleaning with a wet rag and a soapy water solution. That’s going to be more than enough for quartz and it’s going to remain spotless for longer.

As far as options are concerned, there are a lot to choose from, especially if you’re looking for something neutral and not too bold. There are a lot of colors available in white, off-white, beige, gray, and countertops with veining that resemble marble and granite.

There is a myth that there not many color options of quartz that are bolder and richer, but it’s not true. Quartz is an engineered stone to almost any color and pattern can be made.

Heat Resistant

Quartz is made to withstand high temperatures making it a perfect material to use in the kitchen. However, it’s not heat proof. It can withstand heat up to 300 Fahrenheit. But if anything hotter than this temperature is placed on the quartz slab, the owner will regret it. That’s because the hot item will leave a stain on the quartz surface which is hard to remove.

The heat endurance of most countertop materials is low and quartz is not any different. Homeowners should use heat pads and trivets to protect their countertops.

Scratch Resistant

Another huge worry for people who are looking at different countertop materials is softness. A soft material will scratch easily and those scratches can be the end for the countertops, especially if they go unnoticed. Deep scratches can lead to fluid penetration and that is the key thing that can lead to immense damage.

Scratches can also lead to stains because the non-porous surface will be exposed to moisture and that can be pretty detrimental for the countertops. It can lead to them getting prematurely ruined.

Solid Surface Countertops

Strong & Durable

Solid surface countertops are also quite durable They don’t break easily and the main reason is the composition of the material itself.

Solid surface kitchen countertops aren’t made of pulverized stones. Rather, this material is made from resin and pigments that are mixed in a paste and then formed into slabs by treating them with pressure and temperature. This is what gives solid surface countertops a characteristic sheen on the surface.

They are mostly used in modern and minimal kitchen designs. Solid surface is a great option for people who want something similar to quartz, but a bit different. Being almost equal in price, a lot of people prefer solid surface countertops because the look is just more contemporary than other stone-based countertops and that’s a quality that speaks volumes and is the main reason for the popularity of this material.

Say Goodbye To Seams

Seams are an issue with most countertops that are installed in the form of slabs and tiles and while most of them can be covered, it may still be a problem in the back of the mind. With solid surface countertops, there is no issue of seams because they’re installed in a single unit and the only seam that will be present is on the L-shaped ledge of the countertop, which can be easily hidden.

Because of the way this countertop material is made, seams are virtually invisible and there’s no issue in proper installation either. If you’re someone who is a perfectionist when it comes to countertop installation, then you’ll be happy to know that solid surface countertops will not disappoint you.

Furthermore, even if there are seams because of a complicated countertop layout, they can be hidden with some epoxy resin of the same color.

No Sealing Required

This is a quality similar to quartz, and if you’re basing your priority solely on this factor, then both materials are a good choice. Solid surface countertops, like quartz countertops, don’t need to be sealed. Sealing is not just an extra step to ensure waterproofing of the material, but it can also add up as an extra cost, and not a lot of people are a huge fan of this.

So, it’s a good thing that you don’t need to seal solid surface countertops because the surface is virtually non-porous and no fluid or moisture can penetrate the material and cause damage.

Sealing is done on materials and stones that are porous by nature, like granite and marble, because these materials can easily get damaged by water and you’ll be wasting a lot more money on getting them fixed, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. But luckily, there’s no need to seal solid surface countertops.

Maintenance & Variety

If you are curious about the general maintenance and the overall variety of solid surface countertops, then you’ll be delighted to know that it’s just as easy to maintain and take care of, as quartz and other non-porous materials. There’s no need to wax and polish the surface of these countertops because the natural shine is enough to give the countertops a lustrous look.

As far as variety is concerned, solid surface countertops have an upper hand. There are a lot of colors and designs that can be made, according to the customer’s preferences because all it takes in the making of solid surface countertops, is resin and a pigment. So, any color of countertops imaginable can be created and installed in your kitchen. It’s a wonderful choice to go for if you’re looking for something low-maintenance.

Conclusion

This guide is going to give you a thorough comparison between the two materials and you can decide for yourself, as to which countertop material is better for you. However, as both are engineered stone countertop materials, they are have less differences. Discuss more with a quartz countertops dealer Potomac to choose the right material.

09

Oct

5 Factors To Consider When Buying Quartz Kitchen Countertops And Other Kitchen Countertop Materials

Whether you are looking to install quartz kitchen countertops or any other types of countertops, you need to consider several factors that include:

Your budget

This is the first thing to think about. How much money are you planning to spend on the project? If this is the first time installing the units, sit down with an experienced contractor who will help you in making the calculations. When making the budget, think about the hidden costs such as the cost of transportation, the cost of the contractors, and other costs.

The worst thing you can do is to start a project and end up stopping in the middle or be required to take a second loan. Don’t rush to the stores and buy the countertop materials without fully understanding the amount of money you need.

Countertop materials

There are plenty of countertop materials in the market to choose from. The most common ones are:

Granite: A natural stone with plenty of colors to choose from, granite is preferred by many homeowners due to its ease of maintenance and durability. Granite countertops hold up excellently to regular kitchen use, and when you install them, you don’t have to worry about the surfaces getting burnt or scratched.

Marble: Marble is known for its soft and elegant look. Unlike granite, marble is high maintenance, stains, and etches easily. Despite these drawbacks, the stone has a unique veining and beautiful look. Due to the way they interact excellently with dough, Marble countertops are an excellent choice for bakers and pastry chefs.

Laminate: Laminate is the go-to countertop material for people operating on a tight budget. In addition to being affordable, it also comes in a wide range of patterns to choose from.

Wood: Made from wood strips, wood butcher block countertops give any kitchen homey warmth. While the countertops are susceptible to water damage, they are easy to refinish; therefore, you can easily maintain the new look for long. When they scratch or develop gouges, you only need to sand them.

Solid surface: These materials are ideal when you are looking for a seamless countertop surface. Made from a combination of polyester, acrylic, and pigments, solid surface countertops feature grooves that easily fit together, giving the surfaces a smooth look. To eliminate the seams, you only need to sand and buff them.

The look of the countertops

How do the countertops look in your kitchen? You need to think about it before you make the purchase. Many homeowners make the mistake of buying the countertops after seeing them in the stores. Remember how the pieces look in your kitchen depends on plenty of factors such as the design of the kitchen, the color of the tiles, among many other things.

Regardless of how beautiful the countertops look in the stores, don’t rush to place a large order. First, take a few slabs and go with them to your home. Place them on the counters and observe how well they blend with the kitchen. Only buy those that accentuate the look of the kitchen.

Durability

No one wants pieces that will come apart after a few uses. Your new kitchen countertops should last for a long time. They should hold up to spills and knife marks. Concrete countertops are quickly gaining popularity as they are durable and stylish. They are also resistant to cracking and chipping.

Natural stones such as quartz and granite are also durable. Unfortunately, they are prone to staining.

Cheaper materials such as laminate are stain-resistant, but they are easily damaged when exposed to kitchen knives and high heat.

When buying the pieces for the first time, consult an experienced contractor who will guide you on the right pieces that are not only durable but also will give your home a stylish and elegant look.

Ease of maintenance

The last thing to think about when making the purchase is how easy it is to own the countertops. The more the care you need to give to the countertops, the more expensive they are going to be in the long run. To ensure you know what you are getting yourself into, research thoroughly, and even consult granite companies Rockville and other professionals on the amount of care you have to give the various countertop materials.