Tag Archives: Granite

Everything you should know about kitchen countertop options

Kitchen countertops have to bear a lot of wear and tear because of regular exposure to heat, knives, heavy utensils, acids, foods spills and more. If you want your countertop to look good and seve you for a long period of time, you should pay attention while selecting the countertop material for your kitchen. There are plenty of materials available for kitchen island countertops, every material has its own pros and cons. In order to make an informed decision, you should consider every aspect of the respective material. Then only you will be able to make the right choice for your kitchen countertop.

Selecting the right kitchen countertop surface

You can always rely on the opinion of your kitchen remodeler or interior decorator to choose the kitchen countertop material, but if you want a personalized touch, you should take interest in countertop surfaces available on the market. To narrow down your search for ideal kitchen countertop and kitchen island surface, below mentioned is the pros and cons to the popular kitchen countertop materials:

Granite kitchen countertop

Granite is ruling the kitchen countertop market for years. It is the first choice of the homeowners and interior decorators when it comes to the kitchen countertops. This material has its own perks and flaws.

Pros:

It is durable and long-lasting
It is easy to clean
It looks beautiful and increases the value of the property
It resist chips and cracks

Cons:

It is quite expensive
It requires annual sealing

Quartz kitchen countertops

Quartz, especially engineered quartz is gaining a lot of popularity in the kitchen countertop market. This manmade countertop material is highly customizable and offer many benefits, and it has its own flaws as well.

Pros:

It is highly durable
It is Available in plenty of colors and textures
It has bacteria resistant qualities

Cons:

Quartz get discolored over time
It is not a heat resistant material

Tile kitchen countertops

Tile is not a new name in the kitchen countertop market. Tile countertops are one of the best choices available in mid to low-budget.

Pros:

It is affordable material
It is easy to clean

Cons:

It get chipped easily
Annual sealing is required

Straight talk about solid surface countertops

Solid surface is a great manmade countertop material. This material is combination of acrylic and polyester. The solid surface countertops can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, decks and even in commercial kitchens. This surface is durable and easy to maintain. It is capable of withstanding daily wear and tear with grace. There are plenty of reasons to opt for the solid surface countertops over convectional countertop surfaces, such as marble, granite, quartz and tiles.

Choosing solid surface countertops

Solid surface countertops are gaining popularity these days among interior decoration experts. In fact, several home improvement magazines have featured the solid surface countertops, and highly recommended for kitchens and bathrooms. These countertops are capable of transforming any mediocre space into plush area. It brightens up the aura of the room where it is installed.

Benefits of solid surface countertops

Variety: Since solid surface countertops are manufactured in factories, they are available in variety of designs. You can find plenty of colors and textures in the solid surface countertops. You can even finish it with polished or matte.

Beauty: Solid surface countertops look incredibly beautiful in kitchens. Their presence can actually increase the value of your kitchen. Since they are available in plenty of colors, you can find a perfectly matching countertop to complement your kitchen décor.

Durability: Solid surface countertops are engineered to bear the load and stress of busy kitchens. They are highly durable and strong. You can enjoy beauty and strength of this countertop surface for a long period of time.

Low-maintenance: Solid surface countertops do not require much maintenance. They don’t get stained easily. Moreover, you can easily clean them using soap water and cloth.

Hygienic surface: Solid surface do not harbor bacteria. This makes them apt choice for kitchen countertops as well as bathroom countertops. You can enjoy this aseptically clean surface in both kitchen and bathroom.

Repair: Unlike natural stone countertop surfaces, solid surface countertops can be repaired if they are broken. You can hire a contractor and get your countertop repaired.

Cost: In terms of cost, solid surface countertops are cheaper than natural stone countertops. This countertop is a great investment as well.

Highlighted benefits of Bamboo Countertops

Bamboo is a pretty remarkable countertop material. The bamboo countertops are durable, unique and green. If you are looking for an alternative countertop that has unique appearance but still perform well in the kitchen, bamboo might be the right choice. These countertops offer quality and elegance.

Learn More about bamboo countertops

Bamboo is actually an unusual choice for kitchen countertop. This countertop is available in variety of shapes, size, color, thickness and price. This is another natural surface countertop. However, bamboo countertops are made from bamboo trees, they don’t look and feel like wood surface countertops.

Maintenance and cleaning of bamboo countertop is easy. This countertop requires sealing just like granite. In order to use it as a kitchen countertop surface, you need to seal it. The sealant will protect the bamboo surface underneath. You should consider using good sealant for this purpose.

Benefits of Bamboo countertop

Easy to install: Bamboo is cheap and easy to install. This surface is not heavy. You can consider DIY installation, if you are comfortable with it.

Strong: This countertop surface is stronger than concrete, and its durability can be compared with steel. The degree of durability of bamboo is higher if it is treated properly. If you are using this material with good sealer, the appearance and strength of bamboo can be preserved for a longer duration. However, avoid using this surface as a cutting board and do not place hot pots too often to prevent burns and cuts.

Cost effective: Bamboo countertops are very economic as compared to other countertop surfaces, such as quartz, granite, marble and other natural stone. Furthermore, the cost of bamboo countertop varies with the length, thickness and finish of the bamboo surface.

Environmentally friendly: This countertop is made from one of the fastest growing plant on the earth. Bamboo is renewable raw material. Beside countertops, it is used of making fabrics, paper, textile, food and even medicine.

Nowadays, you can find many bamboo countertop contractors with a range of countertops. You should wisely consider choosing the countertop material and countertop contractor. Only a reputable and trustworthy contractor can provide you the best surface.

Choose Countertops With Confidence

Kitchen countertop plays an important role in your kitchen décor. It helps you to set tone and style for your space. There are plenty of kitchen countertop replacement options, from granite to marble to wood. The entre process of selecting the countertop material is confusing. It is not easy to settle for a countertop surface, as every material has its own benefit. It is important to list out your needs and requirements before choosing the countertop surface.

How to select the right countertop for your kitchen

The very first thing that you have to consider while choosing the countertop is “how much you are willing to spend?” Kitchen countertops are available in variety of price range. You are required to set your budget first and then explore the options within that budget. You can find oodles of options in one range also.

Next thing to consider is your lifestyle. It is important to look qualities such as durability, and heat and scratch resistance in the countertop material. A countertop material should be capable of withstanding daily wear and tear.

Another important thing to consider while choosing the kitchen countertop surface is maintainability. A good countertop surface should not demand much maintenance to remain in a presentable condition. Some countertop requires regular sealing. It is important to consider these aspects before choosing the countertop surface.

More on selecting the kitchen countertop surface

Modern countertops have many distinct features that you have never heard about. Some countertop surfaces have excellent germ resistant features. These countertops provide you a healthy and hygienic work surface.

Some countertop materials are not good for environment. It is good to select the environmentally friendly countertop for your kitchen. By doing this, you can actually promote environmentally friendly activities in your home.

Kitchen countertops are made to get dirty. Make sure the countertop you choose should be easy to clean. It should get cleaned with soap water and cloth. This is one of the qualities that should consider. Last, choose the right kitchen countertop contractor for countertop installation. Only a professional can install your countertop in an adequate manner.

Choosing the best kitchen worktop

A lot of kitchen countertop materials are available in all shapes, colors and styles. Choosing the right countertop material is not an easy task. The countertop you install in your kitchen will set the tone for your kitchen. You should choose kitchen countertop material on the basis of: durability, look, feel and cost. It is important that your chosen material should have multiple benefits, as countertop has to bear regular wear and tear, and still has to look good all the times.

Selecting the Right Kitchen Countertops

Countertop material selection becomes easy if you truly know what you are looking for. Different countertops have different set of benefits. It is your responsibility to understand your needs and requirements clearly before choosing the kitchen worktop surface. The more precise you will be about your specifications, the better worktop surface you will be able to find. Consider following aspects about countertop material before making purchase.

How durable you need your countertop to be?

Kitchen countertop is a big investment. You definitely want that your kitchen countertop should last for years. Thus, before opting for any countertop material, check if it is durable enough to bear daily wear and tear of your busy kitchen. Granite, quartz and marble are a few durable kitchen countertop materials available on the market.

How much you are prepared to look after the countertop?

Some countertops require more maintenance, while some require lesser maintenance. It is good to consider maintenance aspects before finalizing the countertop material. For example: Granite countertops require annual sealing to maintain sheen and shine.

How countertop material looks?

Since you are investing a lot of money in countertop, you definitely want your countertop to look good. Some countertop materials have natural sheen and shine that remain as it is for years, while some countertop materials are polished. The polished countertops lose their beauty over time.

How much countertop material cost?

Kitchen countertop prices vary. In fact, you can find price variations in same material. It is because quality of the material. However, if you want to purchase the best quality at fair price, you should choose the kitchen countertop company wisely.

All you need to know about Solid Surface Countertops

Solid surface countertops are stylish, durable, non-porous and easy to maintain. These are great for busy kitchens and bathrooms. Solid surface countertops are heat and stain resistant. Their resistance to mildew and mold make solid surfaces a popular countertop choice for hygiene loving homeowners. Solid surface countertops come in a variety of colors and patterns. With their seamless look, solid surface countertops are always an eye-catching countertop option. These countertops definitely look better than traditional countertop materials like granite, marble, concrete and glass.

Solid surface countertops for kitchens and bathrooms

Solid surfaces are actually man-made acrylic products that are composed of resins, minerals and pigments. Solid surface countertops reduce maintenance hassles. They are easy to repair, resist scratches and stains, and require very little maintenance. Perhaps the best quality of solid surface is the fact that this countertop material can be carved, cut, cast and molded (without any visible seams) to the shape of your choice.

Pros to solid surface countertops

These surfaces are easy to clean
These surfaces are heat resistant
These surfaces are stain resistant
These surfaces are durable
These surfaces are available in a variety of colors and textures
These surfaces can be customized according to your needs and requirements

Considerations When Purchasing Solid Surface Countertops

Edge and thickness: Choose solid surfaces that are at least ½ inch thick. The edge can be carved and transformed into virtually endless options.

Maintenance: You should opt for solid surface that is easy to look after. Generally, solid surfaces can be cleaned with a cloth and warm water. So, consult with a countertop contractor before making purchase.

Eco Friendly Materials: You should opt for solid surface materials with 15% recycled contents. Good quality solid surface countertops are environmentally friendly. They are something that you can feel good about.

There are many types of solid surface countertops. In order to get all above mentioned benefits of solid surface countertops, invest your hardly earned money in the good quality countertop. Also, hire the best countertop contractor for kitchen or bathroom countertop installation. Only a skilled and experienced contractor can adequately install countertop at your premises.

Which Durable Countertop is the best for Your Kitchen?

With continuous exposure to heat, water, knives, acids and more, countertops bear huge wear and tear in the kitchens. It is important to choose a kitchen countertop material that not only looks good but also hold up under the kitchen activities. You can find many kitchen countertop materials on the market. Every material has its own perks and limitations.

Best kitchen countertop materials

While purchasing kitchen countertop, you should pay heed over several factors such as, countertop maintenance, purchase and installation cost, finishing, durability, heat resistance, scratch resistance and sealing requirements. Selecting the countertop material is one of the most important decisions to be made while planning kitchen remodeling. It is always good to check out all available countertop options to choose the most apt countertop material for your kitchen.

To narrow down you ideal countertop material search, take sneak peek over the pros and cons of the best countertop materials:

Granite Kitchen Counters

Granite is the king of kitchen countertops. Granite has all the qualities of an ideal countertop material. It comes in variety of colors, textures and styles.

Pros

It is durable material.
It resists chips and cracks.
It stands up to stains

Cons

It requires annual sealing.
It is tough but not indestructible.

Quartz Kitchen Counters

Quartz is a highly durable manmade kitchen countertop material. You can easily find fully customized quartz countertop.

Pros

It is highly durable countertop material.
It can bear knife cuts and other scratches.
It is stain and bacteria resistant.

Cons

It is not heat resistant material.
Quartz countertops are expensive.
Quartz countertops get discolored over time.

Tile Kitchen Counters

Tile countertops look very beautiful and contemporary. It is very low maintenance countertop material.

Pros

It is very tough material.
Tile counters are easy to clean.
This material resist stains, cuts and heat.

Cons

It is a porous material.
It cracks easily.
Annual sealing is required

There are many countertop materials. In order to choose the right countertop for your kitchen or bathroom, you should opt for the best kitchen countertop contractor. The countertop contractor can better guide you about the suitable countertop material according to your needs and requirements.

Perks of owning a faux granite countertop

Undoubtedly, granite is the first material which strike in the mind whenever people think about the kitchen or bathroom countertop installation. If you also want to install granite countertop but granite appear out of budget, you could find the perfect solution in faux granite countertops.

Know about faux granite countertops

The faux granite countertops are a replication of the granite countertops. These countertops are manufactured by applying a few layers of paint and primer in multiple layers. Once the layer of paint gets dried, several sealant layers are applied to create a protective layer on the countertop surface. As a result, a countertop surface is created which nearly appears like granite.

Advantages of faux granite countertops

There are many advantages of owning a faux granite countertop, such as-

Affordability

The biggest advantage offered by faux granite countertop is affordability. Its price will not put much stress on your wallet. By paying small amount of money, you can get a countertop which looks no different than expensive granite countertop.

Easy replacement

You can easily replace your old countertop with faux granite countertop. It is possible to convert old countertop into faux granite countertop without actually uninstalling your countertop. You need not have to go through the complicated countertop installation process because you can paint your countertop by yourself. Just clean and scrub your old countertop, bring paint and apply that paint. And your faux granite countertop is ready.

Offers a Sophisticated Look and Feel

By spending minimal money in faux granite countertops, you will get rewarded with a look which is far beyond from your expectations. If you do the painting job well, then it is not possible for other people to recognize that you have faux granite countertop installed in your kitchen or bathroom. Faux granite offer same scintillating shine and smooth touch of granite.

Long Lasting

If you pay attention over countertop maintenance, your faux granite countertop can provide you with years of trouble free services. You need to apply sealant to avoid peeling of the paint underneath.

Easy to maintain

Faux granite countertops do not require any special maintenance. While using faux granite countertop, you need not have to worry about cracks and chips on the countertop surface because actual countertop remains safe under layers of paint.

Your Complete Guide To Silestone Countertops

Thanks to its remarkable features, Silestone has come out as the ideal countertop material. Silestone is the perfect choice to transform your bathroom or kitchen into a unique space. It is the only quartz surface which offers years of services without any wear and tear. You can find many color and texture options in Silestone countertops. This material allows you to configure your kitchen or bathroom in desired manner.

Know about Silestone countertops

Silestone has become the popular countertop material, as it creates the fantasy aura where you can freely unleash your creativity. Silestone countertops have special properties that provide ease of use and hygiene to a space where they are installed. With the help of the custom-made style of Silestone, you can turn your bathroom or kitchen into a unique space. In fact, renowned kitchen contractors have started preferring Silestone over Granite and Marble.

Benefits of Silestone countertops

Strain resistant: Silestone is a nonporous material, thus it does not get stained easily. It is highly resistant to coffee, oil, wine, lemon, vinegar, makeup items and many more everyday products. Stain resistant features make ideal for both bathrooms and kitchens.

Acid resistant: Quartz is one of the hardest mineral in the world. This property makes Silestone countertops resistant to acid. It means now you don’t have to worry about toilet cleaning material spills.

Scratch resistant: Now you need not have to worry about ugly scratches on your countertop. Silestone is a highly durable material, which easily resist scratches.

Impact resistant: Silestone is an impact resistant surface just like granite and other solid surfaces. This feature assures the safety of the countertop when handling hard objects such as hot pan, big pots etc.

Available in a wide range of textures: Silestone countertops come in oodles of beautiful textures. You will get fair number of option to choose one according to your specifications.

Available in a variety of color choices: On the contrary, to other countertop materials which come in limited color choices, silestone countertops come in a wide variety of colors. This helps you in keeping your bathroom or kitchen décor in sync.

So, these are the amazing features of Silestone countertops. Do remember to choose the best countertop company when purchasing countertop.

The proper way of caring the granite countertop

Granite is a very attractive and trustworthy stone which comes in a wide variety of hues and colors. Granite has been used for many centuries as a reliable building material, due to its durability. Granite countertops are considered as an extravagant enhancement for any house, the granite countertops are beautiful to behold and are also capable of giving a classy and graceful touch to any room.

The Granite countertop

Granite countertops are useful investment for any house. The granite countertop installation increases the beauty and value of house to a great extent. But it is important to supply proper maintenance and care to this countertop to keep its look intact.

Tip for granite countertop maintenance

Here are a few suggestions that will guide you to keep your granite countertop in the top notch condition.

Proper cleaning: To have beautiful looking granite countertop, all you have to do is clean them on a regular basis. Small food particles or scum build-up can cause your countertop feel “boorish” and your countertop can also lose its shine. You can use wet cloth to clean the countertop, but do not forget to ask your professional countertop service providers about countertop cleaning instructions.

Prevent staining: You should try and prevent the stains from settling on the countertop surface. Oftentimes the stains can be removed by just cleaning the countertop surface with soap water. In case the stains are not removed with just soap water, please do not try the acidic cleanser to remove the stain as they might leave scratches on the countertop. After proper cleaning wipe the countertop with clean, dry cloth.

Sealing: You can also try the Sealing on your kitchen countertop to prevent it from getting stained. Sealing act as a barrier between the various materials and hence prevent the countertop from getting any sort of damage. Sealing can also keep your countertop in a healthy condition as it prevents moisture to get in the porous surface of granite.

Granite is a durable stone, and with the right kind of care, you can keep your granite countertops in an impeccable condition for many years.