Tag Archives: granite kitchen countertops

What Countertop Do I Have?

When you install countertops in your home, you know what you are working with, but when you move to a new house, you don’t know the countertops installed there. If this is your current situation, you must be asking, what countertops do I have, right?

Well, there are several ways you can tell the kind of kitchen countertops you currently have. Some of these ways include:

Check the uniformity of the countertops

You can tell the nature of your countertops by inspecting their uniformity. If your units have a uniform color and consistency throughout, you are probably looking at quartz countertops.

Since quartz slabs are manufactured, they tend to be uniform, with little variations in patterns and textures.

To make quartz slabs, manufacturers mix ground stones with resins and polymers. Some quartz countertops blend ground marble, granite, and other natural stones.

The beauty of quartz countertops is they are tough and take a lot of abuse. They also require little maintenance, so you don’t need to worry about them getting easily stained.

Look out for grainy and blurry color patches.

If your countertops have grainer and blurry color patches instead of distinct patches, you are most likely looking at granite countertops.

Granite stone is naturally available and has been around for thousands of years, and over the years, it has been heavily used in the construction of monuments, bridges, and buildings.

Granite countertops come in different colors as a result of an assortment of different minerals available in the stone. These minerals include: mica, feldspar, quartz, and many others.

Besides identifying granite by its grainier and blurry look, you can also identify it by the many crystals and clumps of minerals that it contains. When you look at the granite slab, you see veracious pieces in speckled patterns that come together to form a stone.

Look at translucency

Can you see a few millimeters past the surface? You have marble countertops in your kitchen. Marble is one of the most elegant natural stones in the world, and for centuries, it has been used to construct palaces fit for kings and statues dedicated to various gods.

Marble free of impurities is solid white, but this is not always the case. In most cases, it contains impurities that make it pink, bluish, gray, yellow, or black.

The colors appear as swirls or veins throughout the stone, with no repeating or symmetrical patterns and varying dimensions and depths.

True marble has unparalleled glossiness that lasts for a long time.

Most people are confused about whether they are looking at marble or granite countertops. If you aren’t sure about what you have on your surfaces, undertake the cut test.

Here you cut the countertop with a sharp object such as a knife. Real marble will show scratches and etching over time. The countertop is most likely granite or manufactured stone if you scratch the surface but don’t see any damage.

Which is the best countertop to have?

Well, there is no right or wrong countertop—it depends on your preferences. If you like the current look of your countertops, you need to take good care of them to retain the elegant look.

Regardless of the countertops on your surfaces, one of the things you shouldn’t do is expose them to heat. As much as the countertops are tough and can withstand high temperatures, you should note that they aren’t heatproof.

You might get away with placing the hot pots and pans on the surfaces a few times, but when you repeatedly do it, you stand to ruin your surfaces.

To protect your quartz, marble, or granite kitchen countertops Durham, have trivets and other heat-insulating materials that will prevent the heat from getting to the countertops.

For your marble and granite counters, you will need to seal them at least once a year to keep off stains.

How Do You Protect A Countertop From Heat?

As much as they appear tough, most countertop materials will get damaged by heat. You don’t want to replace your countertops as it’s too expensive regularly, do you? To ensure this doesn’t happen, you should protect the countertops from heat.

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

Use silicone mats

They are large, thick, and highly effective at protecting your kitchen countertops from heat. The mats work by blocking the heat emitted by your appliances, and to protect your countertops, you should place the mats under your stove, coffee maker, toaster, microwave, or any other appliance you might be having.

The cool thing is that besides the mats protecting your countertops from heat, they also protect the surfaces from spills, scratches, and grease.

Silicone is non-slip, which means that your appliances will stay in place, without moving around, which comes in handy in ensuring that the appliances remain where you want them.

The mats effectively take heat ranging from 40 degrees to 446 degrees Celsius, keeping your countertops as safe as possible.

Heating pads

You place heating pads beneath hot dishes and pans where they block the heat from getting to your precious countertops. Most of the pads are made from cloth, but they can also be made from other materials such as cotton, rattan, cork, or even silicone.

Some people use towels for heating pads. While they work, you should be ultra cautious when using them as the loose ends can be a hazard for accidents that could lead to a serious injury.

The condensation from the pad can get trapped beneath, damaging the surfaces.

For peace of mind when preparing your meals, use silicone pads or thicker cloth pads specially designed for hot pots and pans. These will keep your food accessible and your counters safe from heat damage.

Ceramic countertop protectors

These protectors are highly effective when looking to protect your surfaces against high temperatures. Some manufacturers make higher-grade protectors that can withstand as high as 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the protectors are highly effective at taking high temperatures, the downside is that they sometimes get hot, putting your countertops at the risk of getting damaged.

To prevent your counters, go for protectors with a protective base to ground them. These bases can be made out of rubber or silicone.

Ceramic protectors come in all colors and designs, which gives your surfaces a splash of color.

The cool thing is that they always come with a cork backing that ensures that scratches and other possible accidental surface damages don’t happen.

As you are buying ceramic protectors, you should note that they aren’t the most durable materials on the market. This means that after some time you will have to replace them. The good thing about this is that they are easy to replace when they chip or crack.

Peel and stick countertop covers

From their name, these are covers that you can easily stick to your countertop, and in the process, you not only alter their look, but also protect them from damage.

The covers are sold by the roll, making it easy to cut and tailor them to the exact dimensions of your countertops.

To install them, you need to measure the size of your countertops, cut your desired countertop, peel off the backing, and get ready to go.

Should they get damaged or change your mind about their design, they are easy to remove as all you need is to peel them off without worrying about damaging the countertop beneath or leaving residues behind.

Wooden countertop protectors

Besides being highly decorative and improving the appeal of your kitchen, they protect your counters from excessive heat.

The only downside of the protectors is they aren’t as heat resistant so if you aren’t cautious in the kitchen, you can easily damage your granite kitchen countertops NC or any other countertop surfaces you might be having.

To get maximum protection and stability, go for countertop protectors with rubber feet and a rubber base.

5 Things You Avoid With Granite Countertops

Granite countertops don’t come cheap; when you install them, you want them to last for as long as possible. The good news is that it’s possible to have your countertops for a long time—you only need to avoid doing harmful things to your surfaces. Which are these things? Here they are:

Don’t chop on the countertops

Due to their natural and tough nature, cutting your onions, tomatoes, and other items on the surfaces might seem harmless, but you shouldn’t as they aren’t immune to cuts, scratches, and chips.

When you cut on the surfaces, you dull the countertops and the knives, so you have to keep sharpening them, not to mention having to replace the countertops later down the line.

Avoid chopping vegetables and butchering meat directly on your countertops to last for long. Instead, use a large and quality cutting board.

Keep them inside a protective knife block when you aren’t using the knives.

If you live with other family members, teach them how to use and store the knives properly.

Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners.

If you are like other homeowners, you want your countertops clean and spotless. To achieve this, some homeowners clean their surfaces aggressively, while others use abrasive cleaners.

While there is nothing wrong with keeping your surfaces clean, be cautious of the cleaning agents you use. As a rule of thumb, avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners as they have been shown to cause plenty of problems.

Besides discoloring the surfaces, the abrasive cleaners dissolve the protective sealants and even scratch the countertop surfaces.

To stay safe and keep your countertops in tiptop shape, avoid all cleaners containing bleach, ammonia, acetic acid, and abrasives.

Soap and a soft piece of cloth are usually enough to keep your countertops clean, but if you want to go the extra mile, use cleaning products that have been specially formulated for granite.

Don’t climb on the countertops.

At first glance, granite surfaces look tough and indestructible, but this is not the case. Like other natural materials, granite surfaces have fault lines that can crack when applying too much pressure on them. The situation worsens when you apply pressure on areas without enough support, such as overhangs and kitchen islands.

When preparing the meals, don’t sit on the countertops as you risk damaging them. You also should avoid standing on them to reach the top shelf or replace the bulb.

If you are always tempted to sit on the countertops, have a stool in the kitchen that you can use when the itch comes about.

If you have children or adults living with you, let them know that they can’t sit on the countertops as they can easily damage them.

Don’t place highly-pigmented liquids on the countertops

The most common highly pigmented liquids are juices. If you have children, you will often spill the juices on the countertops where they stain them, giving them an ugly look.

To prevent the discoloration and keep your countertops in top shape, keep the juices and other highly pigmented liquids away from the counters.

If you love wine, juices, and sports drinks and regularly have them in the house, and you aren’t sure that you will be able to keep them off your surfaces, choose dark-colored countertops that will easily disguise any accidental spillages that might come about.

How quickly you get rid of the spills when they happen is vital for preventing the staining. To be on the safe side, make it a habit to remove them as soon as they happen.

Investing in quality and annual professional sealing is also wise to prevent stains from becoming a problem.

Mind the heat

As much as granite is tough and can withstand some heat, it’s not harm proof. This means it’s bound to get damaged when you place extremely hot items on it.

You can get away with placing hot pans and other items on the kitchen countertops NC occasionally, but when you repeatedly do it, the countertops get damaged.

To protect your surfaces, have tablemats, coasters, or other protective items to protect your countertops from damage.

What Kind Of Paint Do You Use On Countertops?

If you don’t have money to replace your countertops, one of the best ways to improve their look is painting them. What kind of paint do you use on countertops?

Well, there are plenty of paints on the market you can go for. They include:

Water-based acrylic paints

Whether you want to paint bathroom or kitchen countertops, you can use water-based acrylic paints. The beauty of the paints is that they are highly convenient to use as you can easily clean any messes you make using water without leaving any odor behind.

After applying the topcoat, the paint will take 14 days to cure fully. This means that you will have to stay away from the countertops or be gentle in how you use them.

Water or oil-based latex house paint

Latex paints are known for their low cost, so if you are operating on a tight budget, these are the best to go for.

Textured spray paint

They are easy to use and highly cost-effective, making them a great addition to your arsenal. You also don’t need to use a primer and topcoat to increase their strength and durability.

Two-part water-based epoxy

This paint can be highly intimidating, especially as a first-time DIY. This is because you have to mix the two paint components.

The cool thing is that if you are used to the paint, you will easily mix the two.

The paint components take only four days to cure to full hardness, and you don’t need a primer.

As you apply the epoxy, you should note that the fumes tend to be too harsh, so be cautious and properly ventilate the area you are working on. Going for brands with lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) also doesn’t hurt.

There is no right or wrong paint to use on your countertops—it all depends on your preferences and budget.

What should you consider when choosing the paint to use on your countertops?

Location of the countertops: Are the countertops in the kitchen or bathroom? If they are in the kitchen and you have many people living with you, it means they are heavily trafficked, and you need to use durable paint.

In such a case, the best paint to use is an acrylic paint that tends to dry extremely hard and is good for your countertops. To increase the hardness, use a resin topcoat.

Color of the countertops: It goes without saying that you need to use paint that complements the color of the countertops. In most cases, you will need to hire a professional to help with this.

Desired finish: Do you want a smooth or textured finish? If you want a textured one, you will need to use three or four different paint colors, but one color is enough if you want a smooth finish.

Odor: While it seems like a useless factor, it’s important to consider. If you are asthmatic or you can’t stand strong smells, it’s wise you go with water-based acrylic paints as they have a low odor.

Even when using the low odor paints, turn on the fan and open the windows.

Valuable countertop painting tips

You need to consider several countertop painting tips to get the best results. These tips include:

Remove all the chips and scratches: If your countertops are buckling or peeling, you should smoothen them to remove any chips or scratches that might be present. One of the best tools to use for the work is fine-grit sandpaper.

You should sand the entire countertop, including the edges and backsplash. The purpose of doing this is to remove any rough spots and create a nice smooth surface for the paint to adhere to.

Protect the areas you don’t want to paint: To prevent the paint from spreading to the areas you don’t want, use painter’s tape to protect them. These include the walls, taps, sinks, floor, and cabinets.

Use a smooth foam roller: Instead of a brush that will leave streaks on your precious granite or marble countertops Raleigh, use a foam roller.

Just like the walls, first, apply the primer, then let it fully dry and harden before you apply paint. You should then let it fully dry for at least four hours before applying the second layer.

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.

5 Things You Should Know When Living With Marble Countertops

kitchen countertop replacement

Is this the first time you are using marble in your kitchen or bathroom? There are several things you should know. To help you out, here are 5 things you should know when living with marble countertops:

They won’t retain their pristine condition unless you maintain them

One of the things that draw people to marble is its elegant appeal. While the countertops are beautiful to look at, they don’t retain their look for long, unless you protect them from damage.

As a rule of thumb, never cut onions, tomatoes, or any materials directly on the surfaces. This is because the surfaces are prone to staining and scratching. To avoid damaging your countertops, always have a chopping board on the surfaces that you use instead of cutting them directly.

The other thing you should do is be cautious of the materials you place on the countertops. Some people will chop their vegetables on the countertops then leave them on the chopping board. After some time, the juices from the vegetables flow down the board and get on the countertops. If you don’t remove the juices soon enough, they leave a permanent stain.

To avoid this, place the chopped vegetables on a surface where the juices won’t get onto the countertops and stain them.

They don’t hold too well to a lot of pressure.

On a casual look, marble looks like one of the toughest countertop materials out there. While they are tough and easily withstand the common kitchen and bathroom uses, they can’t withstand a lot of abuse. For example, the countertops can’t withstand the pressure from standing or sitting on them.

Many homeowners sit on the countertops when they are making their meals. This is wrong. It is equally wrong to stand on the countertops to replace the bulb or reach the top shelf.

In the same way you shouldn’t stand or sit on the countertops, you shouldn’t place hot pots or pans on the surfaces as you risk burning the surfaces and leaving a serious permanent scar on the surfaces.

They can be tricky to clean.

Every homeowner wants to maintain their countertops in perfect shape. To do this, some homeowners opt to use tough cleaning products such as water and vinegar. Others go for organic citrus-based cleaners.

At first glance, these products seem ideal for use, but they aren’t as they ruin the marble. Over extended periods of time, these products reduce the shine, so your surfaces don’t look as perfect as they used to.

To avoid damaging your countertops and maintain the shine, avoid any acidic cleaning products, as they will leave deep and narrow scratches on the surfaces. The solutions can also eat away at the protective coating, increasing the countertop’s risk of staining.

For perfect countertops, use cleaners specifically meant for marble. If you can’t find the cleaner, stick to the good old water and soap.

You need to reseal the countertops.

While marble appears tough, you should note that it’s one of the most porous countertop materials in the market. This means that you need to seal it at least once a year. If your kitchen or bathroom is too busy, you may have to reseal the surfaces twice or more a year.

Besides sealing the surfaces preventing them from staining, it also maintains the shine and ensures that the countertops last for a long time.

When you are sealing the countertops, and you notice that the surfaces have mild etching, use marble polishing powder approved for use and ensure that you follow the necessary directions.

If there are stains, try getting rid of them using baking soda. To make the poultice, mix the baking soda using little water and spread it on the stain, then cover it. Wait for 12-24 hours, then gently remove the paste and wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth.

Will marble be a headache to own?

If you haven’t already installed marble kitchen countertops Durham, you must be wondering whether marble is a great choice. The truth is that marble is a high maintenance stone, so if you are a heavy kitchen user, you are better off with another countertop. You also should avoid marble if you have young kids or don’t like home maintenance.

What Is The Best Way To Care For Granite Countertops?

If you recently installed granite countertops, you are aware that the countertops don’t come cheap, so as a responsible homeowner, you would want your countertops to last for as long as possible. And to do this, you need to take care of the countertops.

Are you wondering what is the best way to care for granite countertops? There are many of them, with the common ones being:

Have the countertops professionally installed

Everything begins here, as no amount of care will keep your improperly installed countertops in good shape.

Countertop installation begins from the countertop store. When you are in the store, take care when buying the granite slabs. As a rule of thumb, carefully inspect every slab and ensure it doesn’t have glaring flaws such as large fissures and cracks.

When hiring an installation contractor, ensure that the contractor is experienced and has handled similar before.

Seal the countertops

After the countertops have been professionally installed, the next move should be to seal the countertops. Most countertop installers will seal the countertops immediately after installation, which is vital as it prevents the liquids from getting into the deeper countertop layers and staining them.

To get the most from the sealer, ensure its high quality and specially designed for granite surfaces.

Protect the surfaces from heat

As much as granite is a tough stone, regularly exposing it to a lot of heat puts it at the risk of getting damaged, and you don’t want this, do you?

So, you should keep the hot cooking pots and pans off your countertop surfaces. After cooking, let the pots and pans stay on the stove. If you want to use the stove, hang the pots and pans on the shelves.

If you are eating or drinking on the countertops, make a habit of using coasters to protect the surfaces from the heat. Coasters also prevent juice and tea stains from getting on the countertops and staining them.

Clean the countertops regularly

Cleaning the countertops regularly is vital as it prevents dirt and debris from adhering to the countertop surfaces and staining them. Cleaning the surfaces also keeps your countertops looking great, which comes in handy at improving the countertops’ aesthetic appeal.

Due to the high-end nature of granite, many people feel they need to use special products to clean their countertops. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. All you need is a simple piece of cloth and water.

As a rule of thumb, don’t use any materials that can damage the countertops. For example, don’t use bleach, glass cleaners, and other degreasers that might be containing alkalis, acids, and other chemicals as they will degrade the granite sealer exposing your countertops to harmful liquids that can stain them.

Protect your countertops from scratches

As long as you are using the countertops in your day-to-day activities, they will develop scratches here and there, but they shouldn’t be too big that they deface your countertops.

The best way to avoid having large scratches is to protect the countertops from any items that can damage them. As a rule of thumb, protect the countertops from knives and other materials that can scratch them.

When you are cutting anything on the countertops, ensure that you do it on a cutting board. Never cut directly on the countertop as the stone will dull and damage the knives’ edges.

You also should avoid placing cooking pots and pans with dirty bottoms on the countertops as they will scratch the surfaces, and you don’t want this.

Protect the countertops from excessive pressure

Make no mistake about it. Granite is tough, and it can withstand a lot of abuse, but when you go overboard, you are bound to cause excessive damage to the countertops. As a rule of thumb, don’t put a lot of pressure on the countertops.

This calls for you to avoid placing heavy pots on the countertops. You also should avoid sitting or standing on the kitchen countertops Durham.

Some homeowners with large kitchens and sinks use them for bathing their kids. Don’t do it, as it’s a matter of time before the countertops get damaged.

If you have to reach the top shelf or change the kitchen bulb, don’t stand on the countertops. Instead, step on a ladder.

Does Painting Kitchen Countertops Work?

If your countertops are old or washed out and you don’t have the money to replace them, one way to improve their look is by painting them.

Most homeowners don’t paint their countertops so you will hear them asking, does painting kitchen countertops work?

The good news is that it works but you have to consider several tips to get ideal results. These tips include:

Prepare the surfaces properly

The paint won’t adhere properly to the surface so you need to ensure that you properly prepare it. How do you go about it?

After removing all the items from your countertop, get out the sanding block and sand your countertop surfaces. Avoid using the electric sander as it creates so much dust that you have a problem clearing it and getting the smooth finish you are looking for.

Although the hand sander takes a longer time to give you the results you are looking for, you are able to get the smooth finish you are looking for.

Remember that if you don’t properly sand your countertops, it’s a matter of time before the paint begins to peel.

Use the right painting tools

There is no way you are going to achieve ideal results if you use the wrong tools. As a rule of thumb, ensure that you use paint designed for countertops. This calls for you to avoid wall paints, as they aren’t made to withstand a lot of abuse, heat and spills.

When you are in the stores making the purchase, let the sellers know that you want countertop paint.

When it comes to painting, use a paint roller instead of a brush. The reason for this is because the brush will leave brush strokes on your counters regardless of how good of a painter you are. And you don’t want brush strokes on your surfaces, do you?

To avoid a bumpy counter., use smooth-textured rollers. You should only use a brush when you are applying paint on the edges or other delicate areas. When applying the paint, use the same brush to ensure that the brush strokes don’t show.

If your kitchen is large, you have a large countertop space and you will be too tired painting it with a roller. To save time, hire or buy a paint sprayer.

The cool thing is that besides the sprayer making it possible to complete your work fast, it also gives you a seamless finish and you can paint even the corners and edges even better than with a brush.

Take your time

Like any other project, there is no way you will achieve ideal results if you are in a hurry to get things done. When you are in a hurry painting the countertops, you won’t sand the surfaces properly so the paint will start peeling after a few weeks.

When you are in a hurry, you won’t give the paint enough time to dry which increases its chances of peeling off later on.

To avoid this, have enough time to dedicate as much time to the painting project as much as possible.

As mentioned above, you need to thoroughly sand the surfaces for the paint to properly adhere to the surfaces so you need to have enough time to do it in no hurry.

Each coat of paint requires at least 24-48 hours to dry before you apply another and for the best outcome, apply at least three coats. You need to have this time to see your project to fruition.

To ensure that you aren’t in a hurry, ensure that you have at least a week for painting and a week or two for the sealant to cure. This calls for you to do the project during your holidays or on your job leave.

To ensure that the paint doesn’t take too long to dry and the sealant to cure, do the project in the summer.

Seal the countertops

Once you are done with the painting, apply a sealant to prevent the paint from chipping. Granite countertop installers NC advise that the sealer can make or damage your countertops so splurge on the best sealer in the market.

As a rule of thumb, avoid a cheap sealer, as it will ruin your project.

What Should You Avoid With Granite Countertops?

If you recently installed granite counters, you know the price they come at—they are not cheap, and you wouldn’t want to reinstall them after a few days or months, would you?

To ensure that the countertops last for as long as possible, avoid doing things that can harm them. Are you wondering what should you avoid with granite countertops? Well, there are plenty of things you should avoid, with the common ones being:

Sitting on the countertops.

The countertops appear tough and solid that when you are in the kitchen preparing the meals or having a friend over, you sit on the countertops. Others step on the countertops when reaching the top shelf or replacing the bulb. This is wrong.

While the countertops look strong, they have small fissures that can crack when you place a lot of weight on them, so you should avoid sitting or stepping on your countertops. You also should avoid placing heavy items such as large water bottles on the countertops as these too can lead to the countertops cracking.

To avoid sitting on the countertops, always have a chair in the kitchen to sit on. You also should have a stool or small ladder to step on when you are looking to replace the bulb or reach the top shelf.

Leaving spills on the surfaces

Since you regularly seal granite counters, you don’t have to worry about spills as the water can’t get into the deeper granite layers, right? Wrong!

Even with sealing, the water and other liquid spills can penetrate deeper granite layers when you allow them to sit on the countertops for too long.

So regardless of how often or the quality of sealer you use, ensure that you remove the spills as soon as they happen. Never leave them on the surface for too long.

Cutting materials directly on the surfaces

The same way people stand or sit on the countertops as they appear strong and tough, they cut materials directly on the surfaces, which, as you can tell, is wrong. Although, they are made from stone, chopping your meat or vegetables directly on the surfaces puts the surfaces at the risk of cuts, chips, and scratches that can dull them.

There is also the risk of dulling the knives, which increases the risk of lacerations.

To keep your countertops in top shape for a long time, avoid chopping directly on them.

Whether chopping meat or vegetables, ensure that you use a cutting board.

Remember that knives can cause damage even when you leave them laying on the surfaces, so don’t simply leave them on the countertop surface—keep them inside a protective knife block.

Cleaning the countertops using acidic cleaners

When you have stains, it’s only logical to clean them using vinegar and other tough solutions, right? Wrong.

While you might be having clean intentions, your execution is wrong, and it can lead to countertop damage.

Regardless of the stains on your surfaces, steer clear of acidic materials such as vinegar, citrus fruits, ammonia, and others.

The best way to clean the surfaces is to use basic dish soap. If the stains don’t come off, get in touch with an expert to clean the surfaces professionally. The professionals often use cleaners that are tough on the stains but kind on the countertops, so they don’t cause any damage to the countertops.

If the countertop experts attempt to eliminate the stains, but they won’t come off, consider removing the countertops and replacing them with new, stain-free counters.

Storing liquids and toiletries on the counters

In the kitchen, it’s common for homeowners to place cooking oils and other kitchen liquids on the granite kitchen countertops NC. You will find homeowners placing perfumes, lotions, creams, and other products on the bathroom surfaces in the bathroom.

While this might seem harmless, the creams, oils, and lotions can leak from their bottles and spill on the countertops. These products often contain ammonia, mercury, and other materials that can harm your surfaces, so they end up damaging the countertops when they spill.

The situation is even worse if you don’t use the spilling bottle and the harmful chemical stays on the countertops for weeks.

To protect your bathroom and kitchen countertops, don’t place the liquids and toiletries on the countertops. Instead, place them on shelves or decorative trays.

4 Excellent Kitchen Countertop Options

Kitchen countertops set the tone for the kitchen, so you need to be cautious and ensure that you buy the right material that reflects your style and stays in line with how you use your kitchen.

Thankfully, there are plenty of kitchen countertop materials in the market you can choose from, with the most popular ones being:

Granite countertops

Granite countertops are one of the most popular countertop materials in the market. The material is quarried into blocks and then sliced into slabs. Granite is obtained from different countries, including Italy, China, and South America.

Good quality granite doesn’t come cheap, so you should have a large budget to install the countertops of your dreams. You should have an even deeper pocket if looking to install countertops of unique colors such as red.

While anyone can install these countertops in their kitchen, they are best suited for those that love countertops with unmatched natural beauty and at the same time don’t mind occasional maintenance to keep the countertops in top shape.

You should note that while the countertops are tough, they are highly porous which makes them highly risky to own as the kitchen liquids can easily seep into the deeper layers in the event of a spill.

To protect your investment, ensure that you seal the countertops at the time of installation. You also should seal them at least once a year to maintain the sealant.

Quartz countertops

Quartz is one of the hardest materials on earth, mined and formed with binders and pigments. Quartz quality varies depending on the source so take your time when purchasing and ensure that you buy quartz with a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) rating. For a durable surface resistant to marking and staining, go for a countertop with 93% natural quartz and 7% binders/pigments.

You should highly consider quartz countertops if you are looking to give your countertops a high-class look without having to do a lot of maintenance.

Quartz also makes a great countertop material if you have a high traffic kitchen with plenty of young children, therefore, looking for a surface that is less susceptible to staining and marking.

Although quartz requires little maintenance, you still need to keep an eye on it especially if you have installed lighter colored surfaces.

Marble countertops

The first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they hear the term marble is the luxurious pillars and breathtaking sculptures. In short, elegance comes into the minds of most people.

If you want to give your low traffic kitchen a classic luxury look, marble is the way to go.

Marble comes in various textures and colors such as black, creamy white, slate gray, beige and many others. Your color of choice should be influenced by your likes and the color of the cabinets. For example, if you have white cabinets and a white backsplash, go with gray toned marble to create a unique premium look.

Like granite, the cost of marble varies depending on the marble species. If you don’t have a large budget but still want the high-end marble look, go for Carrara marble. Although the material has a high end look, it’s not as pricey as the other marble countertops in the market.

Carrara marble has also been shown to be highly effective at disguising unsightly chips and stains, so your countertops retain the spectacular look for a long time.

Before installing marble countertops, you should note that they are porous, so you will need to seal them at least once a year. You also should regularly clean the countertops to prevent dirt and other forms of debris from penetrating the deeper layers.

Solid surface countertops

Do you prefer your kitchen countertop surface warm to the touch, with a modern matte look that gives you seamless molding options for the sink and other technology integrations? Solid surface countertops are your answer.

Popularly known as Corian, solid surface countertops are made from a synthetic product formed from mineral derivatives and binders.

Unlike marble countertops NC, the countertops are nonporous, so you don’t need to seal them. While this is the case, the countertops aren’t resistant to stains and can scratch so you need to handle them with care and keep a keen eye on what you place on them.