Tag Archives: granite kitchens

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.

Why granite countertops are your best option for the kitchen?

granite kitchen countertops

Using granite kitchen countertops may be the next best thing for your kitchen. Not only are they good to look at, but are also extremely hard and sturdy. Using steel and wooden materials these days has become the norm and that should give you adequate reason to look for other options.

Six reasons why you should consider granite countertops for your home:

While there may be some reasons granite countertops find so many critics, there are several reasons why incorporating it in your kitchen will work for you.

Appealing – It is extremely good to look at and with the right type of surroundings and aesthetics, your kitchen will sparkle with an unparalleled radiance. There are several layouts and designs that you can choose from.
Longevity – One of the biggest advantages when it comes to using granite countertops is the durability. Needless to say, it can withstand all weathers conditions as well as the heat and cold from the various elements that are there in the kitchen.
Upkeep – As far as maintenance is concerned, there is very little you will have to do. Basic cleanliness using soap and water will do the trick for you. Also, frequent cleaning won’t cause any harm to it so you can give it a rub as frequently as you like.
Options – Granite countertops provide adequate scope for improvisation since they come in a range of colours, shapes and sizes. Mix and match it in any way that you would like in order to brighten up your kitchen.
Distinctive – Since granite comes in dynamic shapes and sizes, it is safe to say that your kitchen will have a unique and distinct look as compared to others who use mundane materials.
Pocket-friendly – A big reason why you should choose granite countertops is because they are extremely light on the wallet.

Remodel your kitchen anytime without former planning

The versatility of the granite kitchen countertop is that it can be used in a variety of settings. They blend in with almost any surroundings. Usually, any other material that is used for a countertop requires quite a bit of planning.
From the above mentioned points, it may be safe to say that granite countertop installers are the most affordable and trendy way for you to design your kitchen. The longevity of it and the minimum effort required for its upkeep make it a feasible investment in the long run. Granite countertops should be your go—to choice for your kitchen needs.

Want to know how to seal granite countertops?

At The Countertop Factory, one of our specialties is sealing granite countertops. We also come highly recommended for sealing other solid surface countertops such as marble countertops, limestone countertops, quartz countertops, Cambria countertops and Corian countertops! The topic of granite vs quartz countertops is often the subject of debate at our customers, as they are our most popular countertop materials. We have built more granite kitchens in North Carolina than anyone else, period! The wide number of granite colors and granite countertop sealer available are part of the reason granite is so popular. Our granite contractors will use the very best granite sealer available during countertop installation to ensure a long-lasting product!

We don’t only seal granite countertops! We are brimming with countertop ideas for all types of homes. We are proud of the fact that our inexpensive countertops are the very best countertops money can buy. Be sure to call us today to speak with a countertop expert!