23

Apr

How to Choose the Right Quartz Countertops

There are many factors involved when it comes to choosing the right quartz kitchen countertops, it is important that you know what they are. You have to consider the slab thickness, color, edge profile, and others, but the most important factor is the slab quality. If you choose one with poor quality, it becomes a fatal mistake that might end up costing more to fix compared to what you spent at first.

A quartz slab can last a long time, but you must never pick a cheap one. You will not be happy staring at your new countertop, and you will wish that you spent more for a good quality one that you will look at every day for many years.

Read more about it now.

Visual Appearance

Part of having a stone countertop is the look it gets from visitors, who might look at them twice. More importantly, how it looks to you, the homeowner. You are the one who can wake up every morning to look at the countertop while drinking your morning coffee or eating breakfast.

Quartz countertops come in several colors. Each one brings a different type of mood or attitude. From the classic pearl white one to the tantalizing and intricate. Remember that there are more colors you can choose from. Quartz slabs also have different designs and patterns. This can be a chemical that your countertop has to be unique or it can stop working with the other parts of the room.

Normally, designers and suppliers will have color palettes you can choose from. Visualize other parts of the space so you can see what works best. You are looking only at the color that might not like.

Neutral Colors are Perfect

Neutral color slabs have attractive and enduring qualities, with a presence that is traditional and classic. Quartz can have a consistent and single color or it features the looks of white marble and other soft, natural patterns. When you choose a quartz countertop, that is designed to last a long time, you should stick to the grays, beige, off-whites, and bright whites. Even if quartz countertops include red, blue, and black, you should remember that the trendy colors can also coexist with traditional hues if they are just small spurts.

Edging

Edging is helpful when it comes to determining the counter style or vanity and how it affects pricing. Standard edges of quartz are straight edges and waterfall edges. These edges are applicable to quartz with a thickness of 1 1/4 inch. The more intricate edging options can include gee, beveled, pencil, bullnose, and laminated edging profiles that add another quartz layer to achieve a more dramatic look.

Overall Motif and Appliances

You should read the room. There is not one item, pattern, color, or finish that is perfect. You can only achieve perfection by combining all the little details and putting them together cohesively.

The countertop value, and how it goes with the space. In other cases, this could be the centerpiece. Sometimes, it can just be a supporting role. One of the best practices is to digitally or physically have a cut out of the room and then superimpose countertop cutouts with different patterns and colors. This is helpful when it comes to visualizing what works and what will not in a more realistic situation instead of relying mainly on imagination.

You should never hesitate to ask for help and take a picture of the countertop when you shop for them.

There are so many to choose from and quartz countertop contractors Rockville can help you.

15

Apr

Tips for Choosing Granite Countertops

When you remodel your home or choose fixtures for a new build, the color you choose is important especially if you are choosing countertops. However, you should not worry about the stone stuff because there are easy tips you can follow if you plan to pay for granite countertops.

When you choose a lighter color or speckled granite is a great option for darker spaces that have very little light. However, a darker color like obsidian and sable granite with streaks would be a great choice for the kitchen that overflows with natural light or if you are busy. Lighting is an important consideration since the darker granite should have sufficient lighting and can make spaces appear smaller compared to what they really are.

Read on to know more.

Listen to Your Gut

Most of the time, the granite slab stands out the most and it will most likely be their first choice. If you have chosen a slab that you think can match your flooring, cabinets, and other designs, you must take note. Most of the time, you are looking at so many granite slabs that have different tones and patterns, which can be daunting and decision-making becomes difficult. Instead, you need to consider what made you think that you should choose that one.

Choose the Peg You Like

Most of the time designers choose an element as the basis for the kitchen color scheme. When you are choosing granite, there are 2 choices you can make. Choose the granite primary color that will best match the kitchen’s dominant color, which is normally the cabinets or you can choose a more subtle approach like finding matching streaks or veins. For instance, if you have white cabinets, you must choose granite with white veins or a background.

Take Samples

If you have available samples, you should take a few of them home so you can see what it looks like in your kitchen. If not, you can take pictures of the samples. Once you get home, you should test them by covering existing countertops with a neutral one such as a paper or white sheet, and then place the samples or photos on the counter. Doing this allows you to see if it looks the same under natural light and the other elements that are in your home. Make sure they are tested several times of the day, even if you choose a mid-tone gray with flecks of dark charcoal and white veins. How you see color depends on the temperature and level of lighting.

Choose an Area

Since each slab is unique, it is going to have valuable grains and color tones in the entire slab. If you are into veining or colors in one area, you can ask the granite countertop installers if you can have that section. Based on the size and shape of the countertop, sometimes your favorite part might not be appropriate for the countertop. For instance, if you want large and flowing patterns, it might work best for a sweeping kitchen island to show the beautiful design.

You Can Always Choose Two

If you cannot decide between two colors, you can always use both. It is also a good idea to choose a lighter color for the island and a darker tone for the cabinets, which creates a nice contrast. Your kitchen will have a pop of color that you might end up loving. Granite is the popular choice because it compliments any color, with neutrals, like taupe and soft cream.

You can contact granite contractor Potomac if you want the best for your home.

07

Apr

How to Keep Your Granite Kitchen Top Clean and Shiny

After you have invested in a granite countertop installation, you must understand how you should maintain its beauty for a long time. These tips are easy to follow, including cleaning ideas and polishing tricks for maintaining your granite countertop.

Granite Countertops are expensive, but maintenance is easy. However, should still know how to do it right. These tips will help you remember to practice regular routine maintenance to make sure that your countertops can keep their glossy shine for many years.

Since granite is expensive, and those who have it normally want their kitchens to look excellent, they always read about tips on how to do that. Keep in mind that you must read and follow the tips even if your countertop is new.

Make Sure it is Sealed Properly

Granite countertops are made using natural stone, so each slab is unique. Relatively, granite is non-porous, and a lot of manufacturers seal slabs before shipping it out, but you should still periodically reapply the sealant. Factory sealants will last for years, depending on the tear and water level present. In order to check if your countertop requires sealing, you must contact your manufacturer or do a bead test. You can put a few drops of water on the countertop, and see if it forms a bead. Your countertop must not be sealed. If the water gets absorbed into the stone or a watermark is left, you must seal your counters.

Retain the Shine

An excellent way to maintain the shininess of your countertop is by keeping it clean. As you wipe the surface with mild-warm water, dish soap, and a paper towel, you will see that it is perfect for cleaning effectively. You would have to use a granite cleaner that is specially made for that. Never use just any common household cleaning product on your granite countertop. Using products like that can damage the granite or cause it to become dull. You do not want this to happen.

Remove Water Spots and Stains

For granite stains – dark spots, rings, or oil stains – you must try using baking soda and a water poultice. After that, place the paste mixture on the stain. You need to cover the paste using plastic wrap and allow it to sit for 24 to 48 hours. Baking soda might absorb the counterstains.

In case that is not working, you need to try sprinkling cornstarch on the stain. You need to cover it using plastic and then wait for a couple of hours. The cornstarch could suck up the leftover stain.

Scrub it

Since granite countertops are sealed so they stay shiny and stain-resistant, you might want to avoid using anything that is too acidic or basic to clean your countertop. If you frequently use vinegar or the basic ones, it is going to make the granite dull and weaken the sealant as well. Instead, you need a little soap and water.

Add Shine to it

If you want to make your granite shiny, you need to pour cooking oil on a cleaning cloth and wipe it across the kitchen countertop. You need to gently buff it, and this makes the counter a little stain-resistant, giving it a glossy shine.

Even if you already know how to clean countertops, your granite should be periodically sealed. Normal wear and tear is going to wear off the sealant, which leaves the counter susceptible and dull to the stains. If you know how to clean the granite countertop, you can make the sealant last longer.

Granite countertop installers Rockville will build the best for you, all you need to