Tag Archives: solid surface countertops

Tricks On How To Extend The Life Of Quartz Countertops And Other Countertop Materials

best quartz countertop

Granite, solid surface or quartz countertops are designed to last for decades. If you don’t have money to replace the countertops after this time, you should take good care of the countertops so that they last for a long time.

There are plenty of things you can do to extend the life of your countertops. Some of these things include:

Get rid of spills

Countertops are constantly being exposed to spills and splashes from tipped can of soda to poured milk. When spills happen, you should get rid of them immediately. This is because granite and solid-surface countertops tend to stain when exposed to wine, and coffee.

You also should regularly clean the countertops even if no spills have happened. When cleaning, use a mild solution of water and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. To do it, spritz the countertop, then run a clean damp piece of cloth over it, then dry the surfaces with a soft dish towel.

Drying the damp countertop prevents hard water stains that form as a result of letting the water droplets dry on their own.

Seal the countertops with a quality sealant

Granite and marble countertops are porous, which makes them prone to absorbing oils and spills. They also tend to accumulate stains easily. To prevent this from happening, seal the countertops.

Remember to use a high-quality sealant that will last for a long time and give excellent results. You also should hire a reputable contractor who understands how the process is done.

You should note that improper sealing tends to weaken the stone, making it dull and also increases the risk of the countertop developing mold and mildew.

Protect the surfaces

While they are heat resistant, natural stone countertops aren’t designed to hold hot items such as hot pans and pots. To give them long life, always use a trivet, mitt or towel to prevent direct contact of the hot plate and the countertop.

If you have a sink molded out of solid surface material, be cautious when draining the boiling water as the sinks are also prone to damage. To protect the surfaces, run cold water when pouring the hot water to temper the boiling water and protect the solid surface sink.

You also should always use a cutting board when chopping onions, vegetables and other products.

When you are in the kitchen, it’s normal to sit on the countertops chatting with a family member or friend. Don’t do this as you will damage the countertops.

Quartz is tough and less likely to crack, but granite can easily crack due to the natural fissures running through the stone. Sometimes the fissures are too weak in certain areas and crack on excess weight.

Use recommended cleaning supplies

Cleaning the countertops is one of the ways of giving the countertops a long life, but if you use the wrong products, you will be destroying them. You want high-quality products that will maintain the natural shine of the countertops.

As a rule of thumb, avoid products containing acids as they will etch the countertops and destroy them. For best results, use products recommended for the specific type of countertop you are looking to clean.

Repair the minor flaws

It’s the minor issues that get worse over time, and when you go for a long time without giving them any attention, you will eventually have to undertake countertop replacement. To avoid this, you should repair the minor scratches as soon as you notice them.

Luckily you can get rid of them by sanding the surface down or using a soft type of a scrubbing product that will smoothen down the edges of the scratches. To ensure that you are doing the right thing, follow the instructions that came with the countertops.

You can also ask a contractor to help you out.

Conclusion

These are some of the tricks you can use to extend the life of your countertops. To have an easy time, ensure that you buy high-quality countertops. You also should ensure that the pieces are professionally installed by experienced granite contractors Raleigh or any other experts.

Bathroom countertop materials, from good to best

Cultured Marble Vanity Tops

Are you looking for a new countertop for your bathroom vanity? Are you searching beyond the traditional bathroom countertop options? Or is your search related to budget friendly bathroom vanity tops? Well, if so, then below mentioned information can be helpful for you. Today, market is full of variety of countertop materials. It is not easy to select the apt material for bathroom vanity, because not all material possess the all the qualities that homeowners want in their bathroom vanity tops. However, there are certain countertop materials that can full fill maximum needs and requirements of the homeowners.

Bathroom countertop materials

Bathroom vanity tops do not need to be boring. You should pay attention over the material, style, edge, color, design and texture. A good vanity top will improve the overall look and feel of your bathroom. It can’t be the focal point of your bathroom (like kitchen countertop), but it can definitely enhance the beauty of your bathroom décor.

Take a sneak peek over below mentioned 5 best bathroom countertop options:

Ceramic Countertops

Ceramic can be a great choice for bathroom countertop surfaces, especially for those homeowners who are looking for budget friendly countertops. It is very cheaper and available in plenty of designs and textures. The installation of ceramic countertops is pretty easy that you can opt for DIY installation as well.

Laminate Countertops

Laminated countertops are new craze in the market. These countertops look rich and royal. They are available in plenty of styles. Laminate countertops are best for the bargain installation, whereas worst for the high end installations. These countertops can be good for guest bathrooms or basement bathrooms.

Solid Surface Countertops

Solid Surface Countertops can be an amazing choice for bathroom vanities. This material is the combination of flexibility and functionality in total style. It is the manmade countertop. If you are looking for a stylish countertop surface to adorn your bathroom décor, solid surface countertop is the best option for you. However, these countertops are a little bit expensive.

Granite countertops

Be it kitchens, fireplaces or bathrooms, granite is the ultimate choice. Granite is non-porous, bacteria resistant, stain resistant and heat resistant material, which can be best for the busy bathrooms.

Quartz countertops

If you are looking something different and ready to spend, then quartz countertop can be the apt choice for your bathroom vanity top. It got look for granite without maintenance hassles.

Benefits of Solid Surface Countertops

While there are many countertops available on the market, solid surface countertops are slowly gaining popularity. Although they are lesser known than the natural stone countertops, availability in various colors, textures and designs is consolidating the reputation of this countertop material. Solid surface is apt for kitchen island, bathroom vanity tops, desks, showers etc. Solid surface countertops are so durable and easy-to-maintain, they are even considered for commercial kitchens.

Why solid surface countertops?

Solid surface is an amazing material for all kinds of countertops. There are many obvious reasons for choosing solid surface countertops over other countertop materials, some of them are:

Looks

Solid surface is a manmade material, so solid surface countertops are available in variety of colors, textures, styles and designs. You can opt for matte as well as polished look. One of the biggest advantages of solid surface is that they are seamless. They are manufactured in a manner to be fitted together tightly and then sanded. Thus, their seams are almost invisible. While solid surface countertops look like natural stone countertops, they are totally manmade. Thus, homeowners who are specific about natural stone countertop should keep this fact in mind.

Durability and Maintenance

Solid surface countertops are quite durable. They can bear the load and stress of heavy kitchen utensils. Unlike natural stone countertops, they are repairable. It means the chips, cracks and scratches can be repaired. Other aspects of solid surface countertops durability, include:

Easy to clean
Low maintenance
Will not stain easily
Can be repaired

These countertops are made from synthetics that can be repaired at lower cost. This makes solid surface countertops a long lasting surface. With proper care and maintenance, it is possible to make them last lifetime.

Cost

Cost is one of the major reasons behind the increasing popularity of solid surface countertops. Though this countertop can look and feel like the natural stone countertops, they are a way cheaper than granite and marble countertops.

So, these are some amazing features of solid stone countertops. No matter which countertop material you opt for, make sure to purchase your countertop from the best kitchen countertop company.

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.

Choosing kitchen countertop surface

Whether you are building a new kitchen or remodeling the old one, kitchen countertop surface is one of the primary things to consider. Kitchen countertop is one of those parts of kitchen which not only increases the aesthetic value of the kitchen, but also provides a comfortable working surface.

Selecting kitchen countertop material

The availability of various countertop materials made it really difficult for homeowners to select one for their kitchens. However, every material has its own pros and cons. It is important to consider the every aspects of the material before choosing it for your kitchen.

Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the most popular countertop materials. It is the first choice of homeowners when it comes to kitchen countertop surface.

Pros:

It offers excellent resistant to heat and scratches
It is available in many different colors

Cons:

It often requires sealing

Solid surface Countertops

These manmade countertops are gaining a lot of popularity. It is made from acrylic and polyester.

Pros:

It is not porous material, hence it is low-maintenance

Cons:

It is not resistant to heat and scratches

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is also known as engineered stone. The quartz countertops are made from quartz chips and resin.

Pros:

This countertop is easy to maintain
It is available in many colors

Cons:

It is pricey

Marble Countertops

There is nothing more beautiful than marble countertop. Incomparable in terms of its beauty and veining, marble is an untraditional choice for kitchen countertop surface.

Pros:

This countertop material looks beautiful in kitchen as well as in bathroom
It has excellent heat resistant capacity

Cons:

It is very susceptible to stains,

Tile Countertops

Tile is an inexpensive countertop material. This type of countertop surfaces are found in modular kitchens.

Pros:

It is heat and stain resistant
It is available in limitless colors and designs

Cons:

Tile countertops provide uneven surface
It can’t stand moisture

Soap stone Countertops

Soap stone is another countertop material which is getting popular among homeowners. The soap stone countertop provides value for money.

Pros:

Soap stone has natural softness
These countertops get darker over time

Cons:

It needs polishing and oiling to stay in the good condition
It can crack over time

The Kitchen Countertop Selection Guide

The countertop acts as workbench for kitchen. It is more functional than decorative. Along with beauty, you should consider durability, maintainability, heat resistant capacity, scratch resistant capacity and strength of the countertop material. A wide range of kitchen countertop material choices are available on the market. You will find many countertop materials to choose from that suit your taste and style. The best material is one that fulfills performance standards, available within budget and looks beautiful.

Things to know before choosing countertop surface

Countertop selection is one of the important parts of the kitchen remodeling. In spite of the wide range of options available, it is important to thoroughly observe every material. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is mandatory to determine your needs, requirements and budget before opting for any countertop material. Spare sometime and check out the following aspects of countertop material before making your decision:

Check both look and feel of the countertop material
Think about practicality and maintainability of the selected material
Analyze the long term durability of the material
Ascertain about the environmental friendliness of the material
Check if material require sealing

Types of kitchen countertops

Laminate Countertops

These are affordable and low-maintenance countertop surfaces. Although they do not offer heat resistance, get scratched and chipped easily, they are available in many colors and textures. If you are not going to use your countertop for heavy duty work, you can think about installing laminate countertops.

Solid Surface countertops

Solid surface countertops are basically plastic. They offer renewable surface. The cuts and scratches can be blended. This surface allows you to use of integrated sinks. Solid surface countertops are non-porous and do not contain any visible seam. You can get fully customized solid surface countertop.

Natural Stone Countertops

90 % homeowners opt for the natural stone countertops for their kitchens and bathrooms. Natural stones such as marble, granite, soapstone and gemstone offer amazing countertop surface. These countertops inherit the beauty of the stone from which they are made. These countertops are scratch and heat tolerant. Natural stone countertops lasts lifetime, if maintained properly. However, you should purchase natural stone countertops from reputable and trustworthy kitchen countertop company to get genuine product.

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.

5 Great Countertops Materials: How to Choose the Best

Are you looking for great countertop options? Are you interested in trying unconventional countertop materials? Or do you simply need cheap and reliable countertop material? Well, if your answer is YES, below mentioned litany can help you out in selecting the best countertop material for kitchen island as well as bathroom vanity.

Kitchen countertop materials

Nowadays, homeowners are looking beyond the convectional countertop materials (granite and marble). This is because now homeowners are much more interested in decorating their bathroom and kitchen in unique manner. Well, if you are planning kitchen or bathroom renovation, you can consider the below mentioned countertop material options:

Solid surface countertops

The acrylic and polyester countertops are gaining a lot of popularity, these days. Solid surface countertops are highly resistant to stains and scratches. Unlike natural stone countertops, it is possible to repair solid surface countertops. These countertops literally come in 100s of color and pattern options.

Plastic laminate countertops

Plastic laminated countertops are one of the most durable and hard-wearing countertop materials available in the market. Plastic laminate counters are generally made from kraft paper. These countertops can survive many years. This material is apt for both bathroom and kitchen countertops.

Ceramic tile countertops

If you are looking for beautiful yet cheap countertop material, then ceramic tile countertops can full fill all your needs and requirements. These countertops come in varieties of beautiful patterns. But don’t expect long lasting services from ceramic tile countertops. But always select the best countertop company.

Wood countertops

Wood countertops can give classic look to your kitchen and bathroom. Many homeowners avoid wood countertops because of mistaken perception that wood can harbor germs. In fact, wood provide 99.9 percent germ free countertop surface. However, wood countertops demand a lot of maintenance.

Concrete countertops

Concrete countertops look similar to natural stone countertops but they are available at cheaper price. They are more apt for bathrooms rather than kitchens. They prevent staining but are prone to cracking.

So, these are the popular countertop materials available in the market. Always choose reputable countertop company for purchasing countertops. Good countertop companies provide installation facility and offer genuine warranty on sold product.

What are the most common bathroom countertop materials?

Bathroom Countertops

Are you thinking of installing a new bathroom countertop? There are virtually limitless countertop options to consider! When it comes to bathroom countertops, some of the most common choices among homeowners in your area include granite countertops, marble countertops and soapstone countertops. These countertop materials are highly durable and can get continuously wet without causing any damage! When you work with a professional countertop contractor, you have the benefit of years of experience on your side. Take a look through your countertop repair contractor’s portfolio to get more ideas for your new bathroom countertops!

Countertop Designs

Some other popular countertop options for the bathroom include quartz countertops, solid surface countertops and recycled glass countertops. There are also several eco friendly countertop options for homeowners who are concerned with lessening their impact on the environment! Before you choose a countertop expert to work with, be sure you find someone with at least ten years of experience installing countertops and repairing countertops. You might be able to get a deal on several countertop options if you decide to install new bathroom and kitchen countertops at the same time! Butcher block countertops, slate countertops and glass countertops are all great choices for your modern kitchen.

What should I use to build my kitchen countertops?

Kitchen Countertops

Are you thinking of installing new kitchen countertops? There are virtually endless countertop options to consider! Most modern kitchens and traditional kitchen designs include some kind of granite countertops. Granite is an extremely popular kitchen countertop material because is it pleasing to the eye, easy to clean and not easily marked by kitchen knives and other utensils. Some other great countertop options for the kitchen include solid surface countertops, recycled glass countertops, quartz countertops and aluminum countertops. You can even install a separate butcher block countertop so you can chop and cook meat away from the rest of your food.

Countertop Contractors

More and more homeowners are becoming interested in eco friendly countertop options to help lower their impacts on the environment! Recycled countertop materials can look just as new and and just as pliable as brand new countertops. We recommend working with a professional countertop contractor to find the best and cheapest eco friendly countertop materials in your area. There are often discount countertop options available as well whether you are looking for LEED certified green countertops or other choices such as soapstone countertops and marble countertops. Once your new kitchen countertop is installed, countertop resurfacing services may be needed every few years.