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How Do I Choose A Kitchen Countertop?

Are you looking to buy countertops for your kitchen and wondering, how do I choose a kitchen countertop? Well, there are plenty of tips to consider. These tips include:

Your budget

This is probably the most important thing to consider, as many countertops go at different prices. If you don’t have money, go for laminate countertops but if budget isn’t an issue, try your hand at granite and marble countertops.

As you make your budget, you should note that different stores sell countertops at different prices. For example, the large stores often have limited options and sell their countertops at extremely high prices. On the other hand, the smaller stores sell their countertops at favorable prices and have a wide selection of countertops to choose from.

Before you settle on your budget, first visit these stores, see what is available and compare the prices.

Your cabinets

While cabinets are important, only consider them if you plan to keep them. If you will keep them, as you are choosing the countertops, you should consider the cabinets’ materials, colors, style, and design. If you aren’t sure about the right countertops to go for, get the input of a professional that will help you match all these factors.

Use of the countertops

How will you be using the countertops? This is an important factor to consider. If you love cooking and spend long hours in the kitchen, you should go for tough, durable countertops. If you entertain a lot, chances are there will be people sneaking into the kitchen and seeing what is going on there. Install beautiful, high-end countertops such as granite and marble to impress the guests.

If you have young kids, it would be unwise to buy high-end, white countertops as it’s a matter of time before they stain out from finger paints, jelly, Kool-Aid, and other materials.

Kitchen layout

The countertop materials you choose should match the kitchen layout in color palette and finish. The purpose of this is to build a connection between the kitchen, living room, and other spaces and, as a result, create a sophisticated look.

In most cases, you have to consult an experienced professional to help you choose the right countertop.

Aesthetic look

Your kitchen and even the entire house at large should function as one. This means that the countertops, kitchen cabinets, and other kitchen features should tie together and give you a unique look and feel.

Before you head to the stores, you need to think about the look you want to give your kitchen. Do you want an expensive look? Contemporary or modern? Farmhouse or non-traditional? You need to think about this.

There is no right or wrong look—it all depends on your preferences.

Care and maintenance required.

To keep the countertops in top shape, you have to take good care of them. The beauty is different materials require different levels of care and maintenance. While you will need to clean almost all countertops, some require extra care.

For example, granite and marble countertops are porous, so you will need to regularly seal them to prevent water and other liquids from seeping through and staining them.

Others such as butcher-block countertops need regular sanding to remove scratches and knife marks. They also need oiling to prevent water damage.

Think about your time and the work required to maintain the countertops. If you have the time and don’t mind putting in the work, you can go for plenty of countertops, but if you are lazy or lead a hectic life and don’t have time to give attention to the countertops, go for laminate countertops.

Parting shot

Choosing the right kitchen countertops Raleigh takes time and dedication. Due to the many countertop materials available in the market, it’s easy to be confused about the right one to go for. To have an easy time, work with a professional to guide you.

After getting your desired countertop, have it installed by a professional who knows what they are doing. The last thing you want is wasting so much time and money finding the countertops of your dreams, then they are haphazardly installed.

What Happens If You Don’t Clean Granite Countertops?

Have you ever wondered what happens if you don’t clean granite countertops? Well, plenty of things happen.

One of the things is that when you go for a long time without cleaning your countertops, oil spills, cut fruit, soap, cooking ingredients, and other materials leave stains on the surface.

The stains are often not apparent initially, and when you notice them, it’s often too late to remove them. So you are forced to live with the stain or incur huge bills replacing the countertops.

The other thing that will happen when you don’t clean your countertops is the surfaces become dull. One of the primary reasons homeowners install granite is its shiny, elegant look. When you don’t clean your counters for a long time, they lose their shine and turn to a dull, boring color that isn’t appealing to look at.

The final thing that happens is that you tend to have plenty of bacteria growing on your surfaces. In most cases, the bacteria are harmful to the health, and they pose a significant danger to those suffering from allergies.

How do you clean granite countertops?

To avoid the repercussions of not cleaning the countertops, you should regularly clean the surfaces. And you shouldn’t simply clean them—you should clean them properly.

How do you clean the countertops properly? Here is how to go about it:

Step 1: Squirt dish soap into a soft sponge

You don’t have to be sophisticated for regular cleaning—simple old mild dish soap and water are enough. Wet a sponge with water and squirt some dish soap into its center. Since granite scratches easy, you should use a soft sponge that won’t cause any damage to the surfaces.

After applying soap to the sponge, massage it until you see suds. You should then wring it out to not compromise the absorbent stone. Remember that granite discolors when you expose it to a lot of standing water.

Step 2: Wipe the counters.

After applying the right amount of water and soap on a sponge, the next thing you should do is gently wipe across the entire countertop in small, circular motions.

If you have got dried food on the countertops, apply some elbow grease to remove it. Wipe the entire countertop surface and ensure that it’s spotless.

Step 3: Dry the granite countertop

Once you are done, thoroughly dry the countertop. Doing this not only protects the granite from water damage, but also eliminates streaks and leaves the surface with an eye-catching, irresistible shine.

Things you should know when cleaning granite.

To get the most for your efforts, use the right cleaning products. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges. This calls for you to avoid acidic cleaners such as lemon, lime, vinegar, or any product with bleach or ammonia.

This is because these products are too harsh to the countertops and often dull the surfaces, so you don’t get the shine you are looking for at the end.

Use a gentle cloth

As we mentioned above, granite scratches easily, so when you use a tough cloth or sponge, you are bound to scratch the surfaces.

To avoid this, use a nubby washcloth or microfiber. If a piece of cloth or sponge feels rough on your hands, it probably is too tough for your countertops, so you should stay away from it.

Keep the countertops sealed.

You might be wondering how sealing the countertops will give you the best cleaning results, but you should know that when you don’t clean your counters, they easily soak up oils, spills, and stains. As you can tell, this makes your cleaning work easy, and when you are done with cleaning, you often don’t get the shiny countertops you were looking forward to.

To have an easy time, seal your granite kitchen countertops Raleigh. The best way to go about it is to seal the surfaces at installation then once a year thereafter. Use high-quality sealing products and let an experienced professional handle the project for the best outcome.

Can You Have Two Different Countertops In Kitchen?

kitchen countertop replacement

If you are wondering, can you have two different countertops in kitchen? Yes, it’s possible. Besides doing this, giving your countertops a unique look, also can save you money. To get the most from the two countertops, you need to consider several tips that include:

Practicality

As much as you want to have kitchen countertops of different materials, you should ask yourself whether the countertops are practical. If you are installing them in your kitchen, can they withstand the stains, spills, and moisture?

In most kitchens, the spills happen next to the sink and cooktop. In these areas, you want to place easy to clean and maintain countertops. One of the best materials to go for is quartz.

Balance

The two countertops you choose should give your surfaces some balance. To do this, you should install the shiny, attractive countertops on the focal point of the house, such as the kitchen island, and the less shiny countertops on the hardworking areas of the kitchen.

For example, you can install marble and other luxurious countertops on the kitchen island while you fit quartz, granite, or butcher block on the cooking surfaces. When choosing the best material for the countertops, go for one that complements your lifestyle.

The last thing you want is to install countertops with two styles that clash. You should remember that when you install countertops with significant movement or pattern, pairing them can overwhelm your kitchen design and distract the eye.

If one material has busy designs, find a complementary countertop that is solid colored or minimal pattern. By so doing, you ensure that, one countertop material doesn’t compete with the other.

One great combination is pairing marble, granite, or other natural stone with toned-down quartz or solid surface countertops.

Color

To avoid giving your countertops a two for one, salvage yard look, ensure that the two materials connect visually.

For example, pair the warmer marble such as Marfil marble with quartz or granite with brown or taupe undertones. If you are going to install a marble island with cool, gray veining, black or dark gray granite are the ideal perimeter countertops to go for.

For the perfect balance, ensure that you have contrast lightness. For example, if your kitchen island is neutral in nature and light in color, choose a darker accent surface for the remaining countertops.

Flair

There is no point in using two different countertop materials if you aren’t going to showcase your style. If you want to give your surfaces a luxurious, sophisticated look and feel, go with marble such as Carrara white or Calacatta gold, then pair it with granite or quartz.

Edge

With a mixed and matched look, contrast and variation are key. To extend the look and beauty of marble and add a modern sentiment, install a waterfall edge. Install the right edge that will beautifully frame the countertops if you want to create a beveled, eased, or bullnose look.

If you aren’t sure about how to go about it, get the input of a professional to guide you through.

What are the common countertops you can go for?

If you are wondering which are the best countertops you can go for, there are plenty of them, with the common ones being:

Laminate

Laminate countertops are made from sheets of plastic laminate bonded to a particleboard core. The beauty is they come in a variety of colors and styles to choose from. They are often affordable, and due to this, they are attractive to budget-conscious homeowners.

While they are great, their major downside is they are susceptible to splitting, bubbling, warping, scratches, and other forms of damage. Due to this, you are advised against installing them in highly active areas of the kitchen.

Marble

We have been mentioning marble as it is a highly popular material known for its luxurious look. Although marble countertops Durham are elegant to install, they are expensive, so not the best for those working on a tight budget.

Other popular countertop materials include: quartzite, travertine, granite, and soapstone. There is no right or wrong material to go for—it depends on your intended look and budget. If you aren’t sure about the right material to go for, get the input of a professional.

Can You Replace Just The Countertop?

When undertaking countertop replacement, most homeowners replace both the countertops and cabinets. While this is the way it’s supposed to be, not everyone has the budget to replace both simultaneously.

Can you replace just the countertop? Yes, you can do it, but according to granite contractors, you should be cautious of the risks that it comes with. Some of these risks include:

You can invalidate your warranty.

When you install expensive countertops such as granite and quartz, you are given a warranty which gives you peace of mind that you are protected against any damage and countertop problems that might come up.

While this is the case, you should know that if the countertops develop problems during the warranty period and the countertop company realizes that you installed them on old cabinets, the chances are that they will invalidate the warranty even if the problem has nothing to do with the old cabinets.

You can damage the old cabinets.

If you have had your cabinets for more than ten years, the chances are that the cabinets have seriously worn out, and you will be putting them at great risk by placing heavy countertop materials such as quartz, granite, or marble.

To avoid this, if you don’t have the money to replace the cabinets, opt for lighter countertop materials that are easy to move. This way, in the future, when you have money to make the changes, you will have an easy time changing the cabinets.

One of the best countertop materials to go with is laminate. Besides laminate being light, it’s also cheap, so even if it gets damaged during replacement, you won’t incur huge losses. You can also easily replace it even at a tight budget.

When it comes to maintenance, the laminate surface is easy to clean and wipe down, so you have an easy time keeping it clean. The only thing you should keep an eye on is the hot pans and pots that can easily scald the surfaces. As a rule of thumb, never place hot items directly on the countertops.

You don’t give your kitchen a new look you were looking for

The chances are high that you are replacing the countertops because you have had the same kitchen design for a long time, and you want a different look.

When you replace the countertops, you might change the kitchen’s look, but this isn’t satisfactory as you haven’t changed the kitchen design.

To make meaningful change, you may have to add a kitchen island, a new sink, a butcher block, a peninsula, or any other unit, all of which require you to tamper with cabinets.

If you were looking to give your kitchen a new breath of life, you might find changing only the countertops being unmeaningful, which might leave you feeling like you didn’t make the right investment.

Your new countertops might not look the part.

If your cabinets are old, your new modern countertops might not look the part, and as you can guess, this might create a disconnect that gives your kitchen a confused look.

To eliminate the disconnect, ensure that the countertops you are installing blend properly with the cabinets.

Valuable tips when replacing the countertops

Besides ensuring that there isn’t a large disparity between the new countertops and old cabinets, you need to consider plenty of other tips for your new countertop installation to be flawless. Some of these tips include:

Ensure the cabinets are level: It’s normal for cabinets and houses to settle over time, and as you can guess, this causes the cabinets to be unleveled. Before installing the new countertops, check the cabinets and ensure they are level.

Work with an experienced professional: The worst thing you can do is work with an inexperienced contractor to save money. It’s even worse trying to do the project yourself.

Even if you might think that the project is small as you aren’t changing the cabinets, it can be complex, especially because you are dealing with old cabinets.

For your new countertops to be properly installed, let experienced granite countertop installers Durham handle the project.

Does Black Granite Need To Be Sealed?

On a casual look, black granite countertops appear tough and different from the other granite stones. And due to this, you will hear many homeowners asking, does black granite need to be sealed?

The truth is other than the color, there is nothing unique about black granite counters, so you will need to seal them like any other granite counters.

How does the granite sealant work?

Also known as an impregnator, the granite sealant is made of a resin dissolved in water or petroleum-based solvent. When you apply it on the porous granite surface, it creates a film that gets to the inner layers of the stone and fills the pores, and when the solvent or water evaporates from the mixture, the resin hardens, creating a tough barrier that liquids, dirt, bacteria and other materials can’t easily pass through.

Upon properly sealing the countertops, you keep the spills on the surface, which gives you time to clean the surface before the liquids can seep into the stone and stain it.

Although the granite sealant creates an effective barrier, it’s not foolproof. This means that if you leave liquids on the countertops long enough, they will seep through the resin barrier and stain your expensive countertops. To prevent this from happening, make it a habit to wipe off the spills as soon as they happen.

How often should you seal the countertops?

For maximum protection, seal the surfaces at the time of installation, then every six months to one year thereafter. Sometimes you may seal the surfaces more frequently if you use the counters more frequently.

You should note that even with frequent sealing, you shouldn’t let the liquid spills stay on the countertops in the event of a spillage. Instead, move with haste and get rid of them immediately before they start seeping into the deeper layers.

Besides getting rid of spills, also make it a habit to clean granite countertops regularly. And you don’t have to be fancy about it. A simple washcloth or sponge and a gentle soap and water will get it done.

After cleaning the surfaces, dry them thoroughly with a clean, dry towel. Regardless of how clean you want the countertops to be, don’t use harsh abrasives or acidic solutions as they will dull and scratch the surfaces instead.

It’s common for bacteria to adhere to the countertop pores. To prevent the bacteria from getting to your food, make it a habit to disinfect the surfaces at least once a week.

There are plenty of granite disinfectants in the market you can use, so avoid using bleach and other chemicals to disinfect the countertops. If you have to use bleach, dilute it enough, then rinse it thoroughly after application.

Even with the best care, it’s common for stains to happen. When they come about, remove them using a baking soda and water paste and gently rub it into the stain using a soft cloth. For stubborn stains, you may have to repeat the process a few times.

Who should apply the sealant?

Although you can apply the sealant by yourself and protect your countertops, avoid doing the work, especially if you have never done it before. Instead, let a professional help you out.

An experienced contractor will apply the sealant evenly, so it covers the entire surface from all sides. The contractor will also recommend the best sealant for the work.

Like other products in the market, there are many types of sealants you can go for. For the sealer to protect your countertops for a long time, you need to ensure its high quality and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that can cause irritation or emit strong odors.

Avoid any sealer containing harsh chemicals that might damage the countertops. An ideal sealant should be high quality and gentle enough, so you don’t have to worry that the granite contractors NC you hired will get hurt when applying it.

A good quality sealer will also provide you with the liquid, dirt, and bacteria protection you are looking for. The sealer also won’t give off an offensive smell after application making your house uncomfortable to live in.

5 Things You Should Know About Faux Granite Countertops

If you love the look and feel of real granite but can’t afford it, you should try out faux granite countertops. These countertops are almost identical to the real expensive and elegant stone, but cheaper.

They are made by applying a primer and a few paint coats in multiple layers. Once the paint has completely dried, the manufacturers apply multiple layers of sealant to provide a protective layer.

Are you considering installing the countertops? Here are 5 things you should know about them:

You have a few installation options.

When installing the countertops, you should know that you don’t have plenty of options or transformations to play around with.

One option involves applying a contact paper-like product to a completely smoothed and cleared surface. Here you need to measure, cut, and carefully apply the material of choice to the countertops, then smooth it into place.

You can also use primers, sponges, paintbrushes, acrylic paints, and epoxy. This process involves painting the look of granite onto the countertop. To achieve ideal results, you need to get involved, have a keen eye for detail, and invest a lot of time into the project.

You can do the installation by yourself or hire a professional to help you out. Obviously, you are better off hiring a professional as they tend to do a better job.

Although, you are limited to the installation methods, faux countertop installation is an easy project to execute.

One of the most important things you should do is have a clear idea of how you want the countertops to look like once you are done.

The fake countertops look similar to the real stone.

Many homeowners are cautious about installing fake countertops as they have the impression they will give their kitchen counters a cheap look, but this isn’t the case.

As long as the countertops are carefully and professionally installed, they will look the same, if not better, than the real stone.

To ensure the countertop maintains the look of real granite, have it installed by experts. Remember that some contractors say they are experts while they are not. To avoid making the wrong choice, take time when hiring.

Interview a few contractors while comparing their experiences and expertise.

While you can easily replace the countertops when they get damaged, it’s wise to protect them from damage. This saves you money and, at the same time, keeps your countertops looking spectacular.

When cutting vegetables and other items, always use a chopping board. You should never cut directly on the countertops. You also shouldn’t place hot items directly on the counters. Instead, use a hot pad or placement to protect the surfaces.

When it comes to cleaning, use mild non-abrasive cleaners. Clean the faux granite counters gently with a clean rag and a small amount of water in addition to the cleaner. When spills happen, wipe them away immediately.

Even with the best care, it’s common for scratches to come about. When they show up, buff them out with small baking soda rubbed into the surface with a soft cloth. For deeper scratches, consult your manufacturer on how to handle them.

You need to give tender and caring love to the countertops.

Since the faux granite isn’t as tough as the real stone, you need to give it more tender loving care. Remember, the countertop is more susceptible to cuts, burns, and scrapes, so be cautious when handling it. Use the tips we have given above to keep your counters in good condition.

Faux granite won’t last as long as a real stone.

Although the countertop’s durability depends on the installation and maintenance, there is no way the faux granite will last as long as the real stone. Thankfully, you can extend the countertops’ life to even several years by taking good care of it.

Again, use the above tips to keep your counters in the best shape possible.

You have plenty of colors and designs to choose from

One of the best things about the countertops is you have plenty of varieties to choose from. You get to choose the color and all the secondary colors you want, and feel will give your counters the look you want. As we have been saying, for excellent results, work with expert granite contractors Raleigh.

6 Questions To Ask Granite Countertop Installers

Granite countertops installation isn’t cheap, so you want to ensure the project is handled by the right granite countertop installers. The best way to ascertain you are working with the right professional is to ask the right questions. Some of the questions to ask include:

What professional credentials do you have?

You want to work with a professional that is a member of a professional body. The reason for this is because most companies that put effort into being members of professionals bodies strive to provide their clients with the best services.

The companies are also often knowledgeable on the latest and best practices, so you can be sure they will install your countertops as per the latest technology.

During the interview, ensure the contractor doesn’t merely pay their dues as a member of the organization but rarely participates in the organization activities. You want a professional who is active in the relevant organization activities.

How long will you take to complete the project?

While the duration of the project will depend on the expansiveness of the project, you should be wary of a company that projects the installation to last a few days as it might not provide you with good services.

At the same time, you should be cautious of a company that says it will complete the project in months. Such a company might not be having other engagements, and there must be a reason for this.

In a strong economy, good contractors are booked out 6-8 weeks, so when you come across a company that simply isn’t in a hurry to complete the project, it might be providing poor services hence the lack of clients.

Take time to find a company that is busy and gives you a realistic completion date. The contractors shouldn’t complete the project too fast, and at the same time, they shouldn’t be too slow.

Does your company offer a warranty?

As mentioned, installing kitchen countertops isn’t a cheap project, so you want to be sure your materials won’t get damaged, or when they are, you will be compensated. For peace of mind, you should work with a contractor offering a warranty.

Are you using modern equipment?

You might have the impression the type of equipment the contractors use in their work is none of your business, but this isn’t the case. When a company uses old, worn-out tools, it not only spends a lot of time on your project but also increases the risk of damaging your countertop materials.

You want to work with a reputable company using modern, properly maintained equipment. As a homeowner, you might not be conversant with the right equipment the contractors should use, but you can do your research.

You can also ask other contractors about the best equipment to use, and when you are interviewing, ask whether the company is using them.

You want to work with contractors using the latest countertop installation equipment. This way, they will not only properly and quickly install the countertops, but they also will install them with little risk of damage.

Do you sell countertop materials?

Most installation companies also sell countertop materials, and these are the best companies to work with. This is because you won’t have to deal with many companies to complete your project.

You also stand a better chance of cracking a good deal with the company as you will not only be hiring their services but also buying their products.

If the company is selling the slabs, ensure that it has a wide selection of countertop materials. It should have quartz, soapstone, marble, granite, and many others.

If the contractor doesn’t sell the stones, they should be willing to accompany you to the relevant countertop stores and help you choose the right material for your project.

What is your during-and-post job clean up protocol?

Some companies have the impression that it’s the work of the homeowner to keep their homes clean, but this shouldn’t be the case. Good granite contractors Raleigh shouldn’t leave a mess or create undue obstructions.

Before the work begins, the contractor should cover the furniture and other belongings with a tarp to protect them from dust and other forms of damage. For multiple-day jobs, the contractor should store the tools out of the way and secure the property.

After completing the installation, the contractor should clear away the debris and dust, leaving the property spotless.