Tag Archives: Granite

Questions to Ask When Choosing Kitchen Counter tops

best quartz countertop

Kitchen countertops play a major role as they serve as a kitchen workhorse and a showpiece. The countertops you select during your remodel should be durable, stain resistant, heat resistant, nonporous and elegant. Choosing a countertop that has all these qualities is not easy and can make one feel disconcerted. Your countertop is an investment and it’s important that you make the right decision.

To make the choosing process less intimidating we tell you questions you should ask yourself and get advice from the granite countertop installers before you select the kitchen countertop.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Kitchen Countertop

How will you use your countertops?

It’s important that you assess how you are going to use the countertop. If you have a busy kitchen the countertop you choose should be able to withstand the activities in your kitchen without being extra careful. If you run a restaurant you need to get a countertop that can withstand hot pans, stain resistant without wearing off too quickly. Quartz countertops will be able to withstand busy kitchens while granite will work for an outdoor kitchen island. It’s imperative that you analyze the kind of activities in your kitchen and select the countertop that suits you. If you cannot decide whether your kitchen is high traffic or not, talk to the experts at the granite company on the best countertop for your kitchen.

How much maintenance can you handle?

Different countertops require a different amount of care. Some materials are resilient while others require a lot of care. You need to be realistic on how much effort you are willing to put to maintain your countertop. Granite countertops require resealing every two years while Quartz countertop doesn’t require to be sealed. Assess the demands of each countertop carefully before you settle for that material. If your kitchen has little activity, the care and maintenance are minimal.

What are your kitchen requirements?

It’s important to know the number of linear feet you require. With the requirements, you will be able to get quotations for various materials and compare. It’s important that you work within your budget.

What materials brings out your style?

The material you choose should give your kitchen an elegant look. Choose the material that will bring out style, but also one that will last long.

Questions to Ask the Countertop Experts

Before selection below are some of the questions to ask the granite installer or fabricator.

What is the best Countertop for Your Kitchen?

Once you have given the experts your requirement, its best to ask for their expert advice on what will work best for you. The granite countertop installer will be able to give you advice on which countertop to choose depending on the state of your kitchen, your lifestyle and the traffic.

Where are the seams going to be located?

It’s important to confirm where the seams will be located. The granite countertop installer will be able to tell where the seams will be and whether they will be visible. Depending on the shape of your kitchen, it may not be possible to avoid seams

How will you maintain your Countertop?

The expert at the countertop company should be able to advise you on how best to maintain your top. Seek advice on the detergents you should use to keep your countertop looking good. Different surfaces require different care practices and you need to choose the one you can handle. Quartz countertop doesn’t require much care while you may need to reseal granite or marble countertops.

Ask About Certification and Experience

Your countertop is an investment and it’s imperative that the installer has the expertise and experience to do a professional installation. Confirm the installer is certified and they have the expertise to install the countertop without damaging it.

Ask about the quotation

Ask for a quotation and confirm any cost that you don’t understand. It’s best to work with a granite company that installs and delivers as that will make your work easier. Confirm that all the cost is in the quotation to avoid surprises.

The kitchen countertop you choose will cost you money and determine how your kitchen will appear. Its therefore important that the countertop products NC you use is durable, functional and gives your kitchen an elegant look. Whether you choose granite countertop, marble or solid surface countertop make sure you bring out style.

Myths About Granite Counter tops Debunked

marble countertop

Granite countertop is one of the most used countertops. The beauty, variety and its durability make it one of the most used kitchen countertop and bathroom vanity countertop. However, there are a lot of debate and myths surrounding the countertop material. In this article, we debunk the myths and give you advice on what you should avoid making sure your countertop last a lifetime.

Things You Should Avoid on Your Countertop

Avoid Pouring Acidic Liquid on the Countertop

The acidic liquid can make your granite countertop to etch and damage the seal on the countertop. Liquids such as vinegar, citrus drinks, and some perfumes are acidic and may destroy your granite. In the bathroom ensure your perfumes are well sealed to avoid pouring.

Clean any Spills as soon as possible

In case of any spill ensure its as clean as possible to prevent your countertop from etching. Clean the countertop with mild detergent and warm water. If the spills are left for long they will cause the kitchen countertops to become stained and etched.

Avoid using knives directly

Granite is a hard material but to ensure it last a long time looking shiny and gloss avoid using knives directly. while cutting any foods make sure you use cutting boards to avoid leaving marks on the countertop

Avoid sitting on the countertop

You may be tempted to sit on your kitchen island especially if you have a lot of guest in the house or stand on it while trying to reach things from the upper cabinets. Granite is likely to crack under pressure. avoid placing any weight in the undersink that would cause pressure on the granite.

Debunking the myth’s

Hot pans will destroy Granite countertops

One of the most commonly asked question is whether hot pans will damage your granite counter top. Granite is formed as result of pressure and extreme heat in earth surface and it’s, therefore, able to resist heat from pans. Granite is made from heat ranging from 1300 to 2400 degrees and it’s, therefore, able to withstand heat from pans without getting damage. it’s however important to place the hot pans on a cloth because the heat may destroy the sealer allowing stains to penetrate the countertop.

Normal kitchen activities such as baking, and cooking don’t produce enough heat to destroy the granite, but as a good maintenance practice always use the heat coaster to protect the granite. Extreme high temperatures will, however, damage the countertop.

Granite Countertop Will Stain easily

Granite kitchen countertops are resistant to stains. Any liquid spilled on the countertop will not cause a stain if wiped immediately. if liquids are left on the countertop for long, may cause the countertop to discolor.

Granite is hard to maintain

Granite countertops require sealing after every two years. After sealing all you need to do to keep the countertop shinning and elegant are mild soap and warm water. Clean the top regularly and in case of any spills wipe immediately. The expert at the granite company will advise you on how often you should polish your countertop. To debunk the myth, we can confidently say that your granite kitchen countertop is easy to maintain.

Granite will harbor bacteria

Granite is porous and that’s why it requires sealing. Once the sealing is done that will keep out any bacteria and that makes it safe for use in the kitchen. It’s therefore untrue that your granite will harbor any bacteria. Keep the countertop clean and that will ensure there are no bacteria in your food.

Granite is indestructible

Granite is one of the hardest natural stone and its resistant to chemicals, heat, stains, and scratches but only to a certain level. While granite is heat resistant, its only resists heat to a certain level. Your countertop can also get stained if the liquid is left for too long on the surface. Although its scratch resistant, the harder object may scratch the countertop. Granite can be destroyed by too much force and it’s important that take care of your countertop

Granite countertop remains one of the best and easy to maintain kitchen countertop. When professional installed by the granite countertop Raleigh installers and properly maintained you can be sure your countertop will last a lifetime. Granite is one of the best kitchen countertop material and with proper installation and maintenance it will last you a lifetime

Granite VS Marble; Which one Suits Your Home

best kitchen countertop

When building a new home or remodeling your kitchen you are faced with the decision on which countertop material to use. The kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity countertop material you choose should bring out the elegance and style. Granite and marble countertops are both very elegant materials that will keep their look for decades when properly take care of and maintained. Granite has been the countertop king for ages while marble is synonymous with high class and luxury. In this article, we look at the similarities and differences between the two countertop materials and where best to use each one of them.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Countertop Material

Use of the countertop

Before you choose the countertop to use, choose the one that suits your kitchen needs. If your kitchen is high traffic then you require a hard stone such as granite

Budget and cost

Talk to the granite company and get a quotation for each countertop material. Choose the one that suits your budget

Style

Marble is more classic and elegant as compared to granite which is more common. Granite, however, comes in different colors as compared to marble.

Making of Granite and Marble

Marble is a natural stone which is made from limestone which has been subjected to intense heat due to tectonic shifting of the earth’s crust

Granite is also a natural rock made from compressed quartz, feldspar, mica and other minerals. Granite is harder than marble.

Both the materials are porous and offer good quality countertop material.

Granite Vs Marble

The comparison will help you decide which countertop to use for your kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity countertop.

Appearance

Although both materials are made from the natural rock they are different in appearance. Granite has speckled colors that it gets from melded stones and comes from numerous shades and tones.

Marble has veining characteristics with a deep, rich feel and comes in fewer colors and variety. Marble is commonly available in black and white.

Granite is shiny and glossy as compared to marble which has a dull smoothness. Marble can be made to look like granite by applying a sealant.

Cost of the Countertop

The cost of marble vs granite varies according to the collar and appearance. Marble is, however, more expensive than granite. It may not be possible to get large chunks of marble due to its soft nature while you can get for granite as its sturdier.

Durability

Granite is hard and resists chipping and cracking when it’s well maintained. On the other hand, marble is softer and it’s more prone to scratches and cracks and therefore require more care.

Both the rocks are porous but marble is softer, making it easy to stain and damage as compared to granite. Marble is susceptible to heat and any acidic liquids and it’s therefore important that extra care is taken. Granite, however, is harder and can withstand heat to a certain level.

Use of the Countertop Material

Granite is harder and therefore more durable and can be used in kitchens with moderate traffic as a kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity countertop. Marble is appropriate in places with little traffic and can be used both in the kitchen and bathroom.

Maintenance

Both granite and marble are porous and require sealing so that they don’t absorb spills. You need to reseal marble countertops at least twice per year while you can seal your granite countertop once every two years. Marble will require more maintenance work as compared to granite.

Repair and Installation

In case of chips, the repaired chips are more visible in a marble than in granite due to its flecked pattern. Make sure that the installation of both granite and marble is done by the expert from the granite company to avoid any installation problems and breakage.

Marble countertops require more maintenance and care but if you are willing to trade that for the classic and elegant look then go for it. Granite, on the other hand, is common in most homes, but it’s harder and more durable. Granite countertop Durham will work well even for the outdoor kitchen island and it requires moderate care and maintenance. Before making your choice speak to the granite countertop installers and they will advise you on the best kitchen countertop and bathroom vanity countertop for your house.

Why You Need an Expert for Your Counter top Installation

best quartz countertop

Proper installation is pertinent to the durability and the final look of the kitchen countertop. Whether you choose quartz, granite or engineered stone the versatility makes your home perk up in value and look elegant. The installation process is critical to the end result and it’s therefore important that it’s done by an expert. It’s paramount that you find the right granite countertop installers Durham to get the desired results. There are several factors you need to consider when choosing the best installer for granite countertop.

How to Get a Professional Countertop Installer

Recommendations

Ask for recommendations from your family or close friends and do your research on the recommended granite company. Ensure that the company has reputable granite countertop installers. Visit the homes with the installed granite countertops and check on the progress of the countertops. After checking on several choose the best countertop installers

Visit the Granite Companies

Once you have identified the company whose work is outstanding, visit their fabrication warehouse and check on the variety they have. On visiting the warehouse be sure to ask all the questions and get a quote from the company. Ensure that all installation cost is in the quote to avoid surprises during installation. Visiting the fabrication warehouse will give you a picture of what kitchen countertop will look like once installed. The granite countertop installer allocated to you will take you through the installation process and answer all your questions. Make sure the company you choose offers after installation services just in case of any arising issue.

Ask for work References

Once you have settled on the installer from granite company, ask for references on his work. Visit the references given and view the work. Talk to the previous clients and hear their experiences on with the installer. A good granite installer will gladly give you the contacts of the previous work.

Ask for the credentials of the Granite installer

Look out for the reputation of the granite companies you are dealing with and also ask for the credential of the installers. Your granite countertop is a major investment and it’s therefore important that you get the best installation to make your house elegant.

Benefits of Professional Granite Countertop Installation

Avoid Mistakes

Granite is durable and will last long but it’s also fragile and temperamental while installing and transporting from the granite warehouse. The granite installer knows the best way to transport and the installation techniques to use to avoid damage and breakage. It’s an advantage to have the professional install the countertop for an elegant finish. It also the granite company liability in case anything happens before the installation process is over. Hiring professionals will give you the guarantee that your worktop is of high quality. The installer has the knowledge and tips on countertop installation from start to finish.

Speed

The expert installers will ensure that the granite countertop is installed quickly. It may take a while for you to DIY and probably result in the unprofessional application of the countertop. An expert will have all the machinery to ensure your granite-quartz countertop is quickly installed. The company will prefer to have the granite installed quickly and effectively.

Cost

It cheaper to let the granite installer do the installation as they will have the necessary tools to install the granite. Installing the granite on your own will require that you buy the tools that you may not use again. Let the expert do the installation to reduce the cost involved

Convenience

Installing a granite or quartz is a tough and delicate job. Cutting, measuring, sanding, polishing, and sealing requires a specialist to ensure that professional outcome. Hiring the right team will leave your worktop looking amazing and your kitchen cleaner than it was before. Having a specialist is convenient and will ensure that you achieve the desired result.

Peace Of Mind

When you let the expert do the installation then you have peace of mind knowing that your expectations on the look and finish are achievable.

Tips to Get the Best Installers

Interview several before settling
Always get written estimates
Take time to view previous work and talk to previous clients
Ensure that the granite installers are insured in case of any accidents
Ensure that you have fully researched on the granite countertops Durham installation process

How to Choose the Most Suitable Granite Top for Your House

kitchen renovation

Granite countertop will give your kitchen ambiance and class. Proper installation of the granite countertops is imperative to provide the house with the much-deserved value. Granites are formed from granite rocks, and through machines, they are cut to different sizes. Granites come in different colors and sizes. The size of your granite depends on how your kitchen is structured.

How to Choose Granite Counter Top for Your Kitchen

Colour

Colors like pure white granite are rare to find, but they are timeless and will never lose their appeal value. Red granite kitchen tops are bold and have a lot of history behind it while green granite gives an earthy feeling.Depending on what outcome and message you want to deliver choose from a variety of colors. Given your kitchen an ultimate look and if you want to sell your property ensure to pick a color that the buyers will love. Also, choose the color depending on the use of granites, dark colors are less likely to get stained and therefore ideal for the kitchen.

Colors of your Other equipment and items

Choose a granite color that will complement the look of your house. Check the color of your cabinets and other accessories and choose a color that will compliment and not contrast. If your cabinets are bright, then you can choose a darker granite. You can also pair your granite with one of the cabinet colors. It’s important to check the cabinet and color combination from the dealer you are buying from to ensure you get the best color for your house.

Thickness

It’s imperative to have the right thickness of the granite depending on the purpose. It’s essential to ensure that the granite thickness will endure its purpose. If the granite is for commercial purposes, consider choosing a thicker one as compared to home use.

Avoid Seams

While buying the granite, one that has no seams is better than one with seams. Ensure that your granite has no seams especially at the focal points.

Size

Bright colors will work for small areas better than dark colors. Brightly colored granite make the kitchen feel huge.

How to Choose the Right Colors

Visit the workshop and ask for samples

Granite sellers will typically have a small cutting that you can take home and compare with cabinet color and wall colors.

Choose from online selection

If the workshop has an online store, visit their website and select the best granite color based on the above considerations

Tips to save you Money While Buying a Granite Kitchen Countertop

Measure the granite size you need to avoid wastage
Use less complicated edge treatments
Use a granite countertop installer to fix the granite to avoid damage
Some colors are cheaper than others, opt for a more inexpensive color that matches with your cabinetry.

Avoid these mistakes while selecting bathroom vanity tops

Cultured Marble Vanity Tops

Homeowners do not pay a lot of attention when it comes to selecting the bathroom vanity top. Then end up with the wrong vanity material and regret later. Bathroom vanity top is as much as important as kitchen countertops. It is important to pay attention over material, style, design and color of the vanity top before installing it on your bathroom vanity. One small mistake can ruin the overall look and feel of your beautiful bathroom.

Bathroom vanity top mistakes

–Not paying attention over size: Bathroom vanity size should be an important consideration while purchasing the one. If size is not chosen properly, it will look too big in the bathroom and cover a lot of area. Plus, it is create inconvenience in using the bathroom vanity in the small area.

–Not paying attention over bathroom vanity top shape: Bathroom vanity top shape is an important consideration. You should pay special attention over the vanity top shape. It is possible to provide a touch of style by choosing a stylish shape. Modern vanity tops comes in a lot of stylish shapes.

-Selecting random color: The vanity top should match with the entire decor of your bathroom. If you install vanity top of any random color, it will look odd. Modern countertops are available in variety of colors and textures.

-Selecting the wrong countertop material: Bathroom vanity top material is the most important thing that you should consider while selecting the vanity top material. The vanity tops are available in a lot of materials such as –granite, marble, quartz, silestone, tile etc. Different countertop materials have different qualities. Some materials are heat resistant, some are scratch resistant, some are stain resistant and so on. The countertop material, you should select should be capable of coping up with the day to day activities of your bathroom.

-Purchasing overpriced countertop: A lot of contractors and companies are selling bathroom vanity tops at different prices. Along with the quality, you need to consider the price of the countertop before investing your fortune. Compare the price of the same material with different bathroom vanity top contractors, and then finalize the one who is offering the best quality at the best price. It is possible to save a lot of money by choosing the right contractor.

What is Silestone and what are its competitive characteristics?

fabricated granite countertops

Silestone is an amalgamation of raw materials and natural quartz. This material is extraordinarily resilient and hard. These features combine to form an amazing surface for kitchen counters, bathroom islands, floorings and wall sidings. Silestone countertops are manufactured for outstanding kitchen and bathroom design applications. Homeowners and commercial property owners can enjoy the amazing benefits of this material at reasonable price.

All about Silestone countertops

Silestone countertops are as beautiful as natural stone countertops such as marble, granite etc. These countertops are available in wide varieties of colors and astonishing textures. The silestone countertops look amazingly beautiful wherever they are installed. You can match the countertop to the existing décor of your kitchen or bathroom.

Silestone countertops are not just pleasing to eyes. They have many amazing qualities, such as:

Stain Resistant

Silestone countertops are non-porous in nature. These surfaces are highly resistant to staining caused by wine, lemon juice, coffee, vinegar, olive oil, makeup and any other products that are useful in everyday life.

Acid Resistant

Since silestone countertops are composed of one the hardest materials, they are exceptionally durable when it comes to resistance to acids. It means, you need not have to worry about spills of vinegar, lemon juice, shampoo and cosmetic on your countertop. The silestone won’t get stained because of acids.

Impact Resistant

The high impact resistance quality of silestone countertops can be compared to granite and solid surface products. This material gets the hardness from quartz, the elasticity from polyester resin and the beauty from vibro-compression procedure used during the production of the silestone countertops. This quality increases the safety when it comes to handling hard objects such as pans and pots.

Scratch Resistant

Silestone is scratch resistant material just like quartz. This material won’t get scratched with knives, spoons, clips etc. This is the reason why it is one of the most popular choices for kitchen and bathroom countertops.

More about silestone countertops

Silestone can be an apt choice for bathroom and kitchen countertops. This material has amazing qualities to fulfill the needs and requirements of your home. The silestone countertops are available everywhere in the market, but not all silestone countertops are same. In order to enjoy all the benefits of this material, you need to invest in the right product. Thus, find the right countertop vendor of contractor to get the right product.

Best countertops for busy kitchens

soild surface countertops

Kitchen countertops are one of the most ignored parts of the kitchens –it bears daily wear and tear, it gets dirty, and it abides load and heat. Still kitchen owners don’t play attention over the maintenance and care of the kitchen countertops. Be it restaurant kitchen, be it bakery kitchen or be it restaurant kitchen, the countertop has its role to play in the kitchen. The role of kitchen countertop varies kitchen to kitchen. It is very much important to treat the countertop right to enjoy years of services.

Everything about kitchen countertop

In residential kitchens, countertop is integrated part. It provides the surface where people can do a variety of tasks, such as:

Preparing dough
Cutting fruits and vegetables
Putting hot pots and pans
Preparing meal

Since kitchen countertop is used for a variety of tasks, it gets damaged in several ways. The countertop remains under load, stress, heat and moisture. This is the reason why homeowners are recommended to purchase countertop which is not only beautiful but durable, scratch resistant, heat resistant and long lasting. It is not possible to find all these qualities in single countertop material, but some materials full fill this criterion. The most recommended countertop material for residential kitchens are:

Granite
Marble
Quartz
Tile
Wood
Bamboo
Soapstone
Glass

In commercial kitchens, countertops remain under constant pressure. More than one person uses the counter for different tasks at one time. The countertop is exposed to more heat, more load, more moisture and more scratches in the commercial kitchens. This is the reason why stronger countertops are recommended for the commercial kitchen, such as granite and quartz.

More about kitchen countertops

Kitchen countertop selection: Different kitchens have different requirements. The countertop material should be selected by analyzing the needs and requirements of the kitchens.

Kitchen countertop installation: No matter which countertop material you choose for your kitchen, the countertop should be installed properly.

Kitchen countertop cleaning: Kitchen countertops must be cleaned on the regular basis. Generally, countertops are easy to clean. You just need wet cloth to get rid of the food spills.

Kitchen countertop sealing: Some countertop materials are porous, hence they are required to be sealed. It is important to hire the countertop contractor and schedule the sealing.

Quartz Countertops: All the Basics of This Stone

fabricated granite countertops

Once unknown, quartz is a popular name now in kitchen remodelling market. It has become one of the popular choices for kitchen countertops competing natural stone countertops. Quartz is a hard and manmade material, which is good for kitchens and bathrooms. It somewhat looks like natural stone and bound well with resins. Since this countertop does not require sealing, it is preferred by many homeowners over natural stone countertops, such as marble and granite.

Know more about quartz countertops

Quartz is an engineered stone. It has luster, hardness and translucence of its own. Quartz is 93 % made from stone while it contains 7% resins and polyesters. This makes it look different from natural stone countertops. This countertop contains remains of granite, marble, glasses, mirrors, ceramics and other industrial wastes. That’s how quartz countertops get their unique texture.

Benefits and features of quartz countertops

Great looks: Quartz countertops look amazingly beautiful. Quartz countertops are available in various colors and textures. You can easily match your countertop with cabinets and floors. It increases the value and beauty of place where it is installed.
Hardness: Quartz countertops are quite hard. They are good for both kitchen and bathroom. They are largely made from minerals, and these minerals define their hardness. Quartz countertop does not chip or crack easily. You can put hot pat or flattening iron on the countertop. This countertop can provide you years of service without any trouble.
A few imperfections: Since quartz is a manmade material, which contains some percentage of industrial waste, it has some imperfections. The slab of quartz countertop does not look as perfect as granite and marble slabs.
Non-porous: Quartz is a non-porous material. It does not absorb water easily. It means it will not absorb the spills of water, milk, juice and oil. This countertop is really very easy to clean. You just need water and cloth to remove the stains from the quartz countertop
Price: Even though quartz countertops are not as perfect as granite countertops, they are equally expensive. There is no significant amount of different between the price of granite countertop and quartz countertops.

Things to Know Before Replacing Kitchen Countertop

Kitchen countertop plays functional as well as aesthetic role in the kitchen. The countertop material needs to be capable of enduring daily wear and tear, and still look beautiful all the time. Over time, even the strongest countertop material starts looking worn out. The scratches, burn marks, and chips not only make countertop to look bad, but also cause discomfort in kitchen. It is the time when you need to think about the kitchen countertop replacement.

Kitchen countertop replacement

Once you decide to replace your countertop, you will have to choose a new countertop material which full-fills the needs and requirements of your kitchen. Well, kitchen countertop replacement is a big investment, it is important to choose the right material. Consider below mentioned things before splurging money on the new kitchen countertop material:

The Existing Countertop Material

If you are happy with your existing countertop material, then look for kitchen countertop material that has same qualities as your existing material. On the other hand, if you are not satisfied with your existing kitchen countertop material, enlist the features that you don’t want in your new countertop. This will help you in searching countertop material which is better than your existing countertop.

The Cabinets

Kitchen countertop should complement the kitchen cabinets. Look for countertop color that looks good with the kitchen cabinets. Nowadays, kitchen countertops are available in oodles of colors and textures. You can match your countertop with the cabinet design to obtain the ultimate look.

The Plumbing

When kitchen countertop contractor install the countertop in your kitchen make sure that your plumbing remain intact. Many times plumbing system gets damaged while installing the kitchen countertop.

Kitchen countertop installation

Kitchen countertop replacement should be done by the professionals. It is not easy to install the countertop on your own. There are many good kitchen countertop materials, such as:

Granite
Faux granite
Marble
Quartz
Soapstone
Bamboo
Glass
Tile

Among all these materials, tile and faux granite countertops are easy to install. If you don’t have experience of installing countertop material, you should totally consider opting for services of professional kitchen countertop contractor.