31

May

When To Replace Your Granite Countertops?

Countertops last for a long time, but how do you know when it’s time to replace them? There are signs which could show the deterioration of countertops and that’s when you know that you need to replace them. Here is everything you need to know about when to replace your granite countertops.

Your Countertops Are Broken

This sign is obvious. If your countertops are very old, to the point where they are beginning to break, then you need to replace them. The top surface of the countertops is affected the most by impact damage and it can really ruin the entire look of the counters. Even though granite is pretty strong, it’s still not going to last forever and it’s bound to break.

There Are Signs Of Erosion

Erosion is the eating away of the material, starting from the top surface of the countertop and penetrating deep. Erosion is usually caused by an acid reaction with the stone. Since granite is a natural stone, it is porous and it will react violently with acid. It is going to eat away the material and over time, you will see huge holes in the countertops and that’s because of not sealing the surface of the countertops.

Water can also damage the countertops and erode them. You can seal them, but if they are old, the best way to get rid of this problem is to get new countertops because, at this point, there’s no turning back.

The Countertops Have Chips

Chips are also a common problem with granite countertops. Chipping of the countertops will usually occur at the sides and edges of the countertops, where the stone is the weakest. This can also occur in edges, where the design is too pointy and it can break or chip under the slightest impact.

Broken countertop edges don’t look appealing at all, and although they can be glued together for the time being, the best way to make the kitchen countertops look beautiful again is to replace them, because chips, at times, can be extremely hard to repair.

There Are Huge Cracks On The Surface

Cracks are also quite common in granite countertops, especially if you haven’t taken good care of them. Granite countertops are heavy on the maintenance side and they will only last long if you take good care of them.

If you don’t seal them or put a lot of weight on them, then they are going to crack and these cracks will only get worse with time if you don’t fill them up right away. This can lead to immense damage and it also allows water and other liquids to freely penetrate into the stone and damage it further. This can lead to the countertops looking extremely unpleasant and over time, it will only get worse. This is about the right time when you should consider getting new countertops.

You Need The Extra Space

Things aren’t going to stay the same. There are going to be times when you want to revamp your kitchen and utilize the extra space. This is done by removing the countertops and putting that space to use.

This is a good time to think about the placement of things and how you want the new kitchen layout to look. This might sound similar to remodeling, but it’s not. It’s more like a minor renovation, where you’re removing the countertops to make extra space, either for a new appliance, a pantry, or some other necessary addition to the kitchen.

You Want To Add More Value To Your Home

If you’re trying to sell your house and want to bag extra cash, then this is a good time to think about changing your countertops. Granite countertops are very much in demand, regardless of their high maintenance and intense care, and people who are going to potentially buy your house, are going to appreciate the installation of fresh and new countertops in the kitchen.

Not only this, but you will get a good deal on your house too and it will be a high-priority purchase for people who have an eye for detail. With new granite kitchen countertops, you can get a substantial increase in the value of your home, which is a huge plus.

You Want To Update The Countertops

Granite is a classic material, but sometimes it can look outdated to you. There might be another color in your mind or a specific design or layout you want. This is a good time to change your countertops too because you can get something that is trendy and classic at the same time and the new countertops will add a nice touch to the rest of your kitchen.

If your kitchen is looking old because of your countertops, then you can change them. It’s an even better time if the countertops are getting old and you want to change up the space a bit. This change is going to give a new look and appeal to your kitchen and the whole place will look more put-together.

There’s No More Room For Repair

Granite countertops can last for a long time and they don’t need to be changed right away. You can get away with repairing it for many years, like filling up cracks with filler, sealing it timely in order to ensure that the countertops are waterproof, and so on, but there will come a time when repairs will cost you more or exactly the same as new countertops. So, the better option is obviously going to be replacing them.

Your countertops will reach a stage where they can’t be repaired anymore and you will have no choice but to replace them entirely.

You Don’t Like The General Look Of Your Kitchen

Old countertops can make your kitchen look dirty and outdated. It can also ruin the whole look of the space. So, if you want to make your kitchen look new without having to go through an entire remodel, then changing up the countertops is a great thing to do.

This is good for when your countertops are old, having surpassed the 10 to 20-year mark. This is a great time to replace the countertops with new ones because this is going to make your kitchen look instantly better and you will enjoy the new look a lot more.

You’re Remodeling The Kitchen

Last but not least, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, then you shouldn’t leave out the countertops either. The whole kitchen is being demolished, so it’s a great time for you to remove the countertops and install new ones.

Once the whole remodeling project is completed, you will fall in love with the new kitchen and it’s going to look beautiful and modern for years to come. During the remodel, you can also change up the place of the existing countertops and make an entirely new layout for the space. This will make the kitchen look new and modern.

Conclusion

There you have it! Granite countertops are extremely durable, but they also have a limit, after which they need to be replaced. Now you know exactly what the signs are to replace your granite countertops. If you spot any of the above signs, get in touch with countertop replacement services Potomac.

18

May

Quartz vs. Marble Countertops: How To Pick The Best One?

Granite, marble, and quartz are the most popular countertop materials for kitchens. We have blogged about the differences between granite and quartz in the past, so this time, we’ll determine which one is better among marble and quartz countertops. Let’s begin!

Defining Marble And Quartz Countertops

Marble is a natural stone that is readily available in most parts of the world. There are veins in marble that are due to the presence of minerals during the formation of the rock below the Earth’s surface. These veins add to the beauty of marble countertops.

Quartz countertops are manmade and manufactured using quartz and resins for stone-looking slabs. They are also called engineered stone countertops.

Face Off: Marble vs Quartz

Appearance

As mentioned before, the appearance of marble slabs is natural due to the minerals underground. They form attractive and beautiful veins in slabs that are unique to each slab. No two marble countertops will have the exact same pattern. So, if you buy a marble countertop, you can be sure there is no other countertop anywhere that will look 100% like the one you’re taking home.

On the other hand, quartz countertops are made in factories so many patterns are manufactured in large quantities. So, it’s possible that you and your neighbor or friend end up with the same-looking quartz countertop without the knowledge of each other’s purchase decisions.

However, the color choice with quartz countertops is virtually endless because any sort of pigment can use for the desired color and pattern. So, although quartz countertops are not unique to each slab, the vast color choices ensure enough diversity. Moreover, there are quartz countertops available that appear similar to natural stones like marble and granite.

Winner of this round: Marble countertops for their unique and gorgeous appearance.

Heat Resistance

Marble is a metamorphic stone. This means that it’s made underneath the Earth’s surface with immense pressure and high temperature – among other factors. So, the heat resistance of marble countertops is higher than quartz countertops.

However, you should avoid putting hot pans on the surface of either type of material because even though marble’s heat resistance is high, it might stain with hot pans. The same is true for quartz countertops. Putting hot pans will leave stains on the beautiful surface of your quartz countertop.

Winner of this round: Marble countertops.

Durability

Quartz countertops resist stains and etching while marble countertops are prone to these problems. Why? Because marble is made of calcite and it reacts with acidic spills that lead to etching. Moreover, calcite allows spills to be absorbed and results in staining.

So, even if you don’t use any acidic things in your kitchen, the usage of common items like tomatoes, sauces, and lemon juice can also etch and stain the surface. Over time, the marble surface will appear dull and unattractive.

Moreover, marble countertops are considered soft and they can crack easily compared to quartz and even granite. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, marble received a 3 while quartz got a 7. The higher the rating, the harder and more durable the material is.

Due to this, stunning is more common in marble countertops as well. Stunning means white marks left due to the fall of a heavy item on the countertop surface. Quartz countertops are more resistant to these problems.

Winner of this round: Quartz countertops.

Sealing

Marble is a natural stone and all natural stones are porous. This is one of the reasons, marble countertops are more susceptible to stains. Sealing marble countertops is mandatory for avoiding stains and bacteria growth inside the slabs to an extent.

Quartz countertops are non-porous and don’t allow stains to be absorbed by the surface. This means you don’t need to seal your quartz countertop at all.

Winner of this round: Quartz countertops.

Maintenance

It’s established in the above points that marble countertops are prone to etching and staining. Due to this, you need to care for your marble countertops much more than quartz.

If a spill happens, you must clean it right away. If it leaves a stain, you will need a poultice for removing the stain. Moreover, you will need to avoid common household cleaners for cleaning the surface because most of them are acidic and can etch the marble surface. You must use a cleaner made specifically for marble or natural stones.

On top of that, you must seal your marble countertop to make it resistant to stains. The seal can wear off over time, so resealing it every six months is necessary.

With quartz countertops, you can be a bit less attentive to maintenance. They resist stains and etches better than marble and are easier to clean as well. However, you should only use special cleaners safe for your quartz slabs.

In terms of repairs like filling in small chips, you can use an epoxy or resin repair kit for both types of materials. However, you need the services of a professional for bigger cracks. As quartz countertops require less maintenance and are less prone to cracks. This means it will be more likely for you to hire a professional to fix a quartz slab than a marble slab.

Winner of this round: Quartz countertops.

Cost

The cost of both marble and quartz countertops is quite similar. However, keep in mind the common rule that you get what you pay for. There are cheaper variants of quartz and marble as well. So, comparing a cheaper variant of quartz with a high-quality variant of marble or vice versa won’t be fair.

Fun fact: Marble and quartz slabs are costlier than granite slabs.

Winner of this round: Tie.

Resale Value

Marble and quartz both are high-end countertop materials. As their cost is similar, their impact on the resale value of your house is also fairly similar. So, whether you install a marble or quartz countertop, it will add value to your house.

If you’re renovating your kitchen or home for sale, check the real estate listings to find out which type of countertop material is desired by the buyers in your locality.

Winner of this round: Tie

Outdoor Use

Marble and quartz are excellent countertop choices for indoor kitchens, but are they as good for outdoor kitchens? You may be surprised to know that both these materials don’t hold up well when exposed to outdoor elements like sun exposure, rain, snow, and temperature changes.

If you love stone countertops and don’t want any other material, then choose granite because it’s more durable than marble. And for outdoors, it’s way better than quartz as well. Other options for your outdoor kitchen are concrete and tiles.

Winner of this round: Tie. (We’re not comparing granite with these materials, otherwise, granite is the winner along with concrete.)

Conclusion

To sum it up, marble countertops are absolutely stunning when it comes to aesthetics, but they require quite a lot of maintenance and are also more prone to chipping and staining than quartz. Quartz on the other hand is more durable than marble but is a bit behind marble in terms of visual appeal. Discuss your preferences with a quartz countertop contractor Potomac to go with the countertop option that is right for you.