25

Apr

When To Replace Your Kitchen Island Surface? 10 Signs

Kitchen Islands are an important part of kitchens. Most people love them because they’re so practical and versatile and look for ways to make it the best part of their kitchen. However, there are also some people who think they can use the extra space for something else. Anyways, if you’re wondering when to replace your kitchen island surface with granite or quartz countertops, here is what to know.

Signs To Replace Your Kitchen Island Countertop

There Are Chips On The Surface

Kitchen Islands, just like kitchen countertops, can get a little worse for wear and the first signs of wear are shown through chips, small and thin hairline cracks, and fissures along the sides. The edges of a kitchen island are the most fragile parts, so they can get chipped from there as well if you bump into the sides of the countertop while working.

So, when you see a couple of cracks and chips, that is usually fine and that doesn’t mean that you need to replace the island, but if you see a lot of cracks and there are more cracks on the surface than anything, that is alarming. You want to consider changing the island because it is going to lead to more damage in the long run. So, this is a sign that you need to look out for.

The Island Is Too Old

Have you had your kitchen island for more than a decade? Has it been a long time since you’ve changed the kitchen island? Well, the perfect time to replace a kitchen island is when it gets really old. There are loads of stains on the surface of the island, you are maintaining it a lot and it is costing you a lot of money.

Well, that is when you can consider replacing the island with another material. It’s better to splurge on a new material rather than getting the old one fixed over and over again.

Stains Aren’t Going Away

Speaking of stains, the kitchen island can be covered in them. Cleaning them can remove the splotches of stains, but some go very deep and they’re hard to get rid of. Well, if your kitchen island is covered in stains and you’ve tried everything on the face of this planet to get them to go away and they didn’t budge, then maybe they’re permanent stains.

If they’re black and permanent, then it means that those are heat stains and you can forget about removing them, because they’re going nowhere. So, if stains decorate the surface of the island more than the design of the material, then you know what to do.

The Island Is Not Strong Enough

The kitchen island is a small rectangular or square-shaped foundation on which you can set a couple of countertop slabs and turn them into an extra workspace or even a breakfast bar. Well, sometimes, the very foundation of the kitchen island can be wobbly.

This can happen if the installation wasn’t professional and it was more like a makeshift island than anything. So, you want to be very careful, because this island can turn into a hazard quickly. This is why you want to get it removed and install a new one if that’s what you need.

You’re Remodeling

One of the best times to tackle those really hard and time-consuming kitchen projects is when you’re remodeling. The space is already a mess, so what’s one more? If you are remodeling your kitchen, then it is the perfect time to replace your old kitchen island, especially if it’s a little rough around the edges.

This will be a breeze for you and you’ll see a whole new kitchen emerge at the end of the remodeling project, which is amazing. So, don’t miss the chance of replacing your island when you’re remodeling.

You’re Changing The Layout

Sometimes, you’re going a step further than just regular remodeling. You’re changing the entire outlook of the kitchen and this only means one thing. You’re going to change the place of the kitchen island too because that’s how the whole kitchen layout will be changed.

So, if that’s the case, this is also the perfect time to replace your kitchen island. If it’s old and it’s showing those unmistakable signs of cracks, permanent stains, and questionable integrity, then now is the time to tackle everything and change your kitchen completely for a fresh and new look.

It Looks Outdated

You know how you look at your contemporary kitchen? Everything is bright, modern, and looks up-to-date. Well, that’s all fine until you look over at your kitchen island. It sticks out like a sore thumb. The design is outdated, the edges are so 90s and there is just not one thing that makes the island look modern. Well, if that’s the case, then you want to change it.

An outdated kitchen island will only put a damper on the rest of the outlook and you want everything to look brand new and fresh. Well, that’s your cue to replace the island surface.

The Material Is Too Demanding

You know how you’re so excited about a certain material for a kitchen island? It might be the grand and alluring granite or it might be the pristine marble. All of these materials look striking and they are beautiful in every sense of the word. That is until the maintenance part of things rolls around.

Suddenly, the material doesn’t look or feel so appealing anymore. Of anything, it’s a burden and you just can’t keep this up any longer. Well, in this case, you will need to change the material or the whole island. This will save you from years of slaving over a material.

You’re Selling The House

Wait! Doesn’t that sound weird? Why would you change or replace a kitchen island when you’re close to closing the deal on your house and handing over the keys? Well, it has everything to do with return on investment. If you want to get a good deal on your house, then you have to throw in some perks. But not just any perks.

You want to play it smart and have features that will bring that dough to you. In this case, you want the kitchen island to be a main feature of the kitchen with an exquisite material that is high in demand. Buyers will flock to your house like bees to a hive.

You Need Space

Sometimes, you’re just over the kitchen island. It’s taking up too much space and you just don’t want it in your kitchen anymore. That’s when you can replace the kitchen island altogether and go for something more space-saving. Let’s be real – a kitchen island can take up a lot of space and if you’re not committed to using it, then it’s just a waste of space. So, make sure that you’re making the decision wisely.

Conclusion

Kitchen Islands are great but if you want to keep everything in your kitchen looking amazing and brand new, then you have to look out for these signs because that means replacement is necessary. For kitchen island countertop replacement, consult quartz countertop contractors Rockville who will help you through the entire process – from the material selection to the installation.

14

Apr

Dos And Don’ts Of Choosing Granite Countertops

There are dozens of countertop materials out there. Some are natural stones, while some are man-made like quartz. If you want natural stones and have your eyes set on granite countertops, then remember to follow these dos and don’ts of granite countertop selection.

What To Do And Not To Do When Selecting Granite Countertops?

Do Keep Budget In Mind

One of the most important things to do before choosing any countertop material really, is to look at your budget. When you’re looking at countertop materials, there are tons of options to choose from. However, they also vary a lot in price. This is why you want a countertop material that fits your budget. But, how do you make a budget?

Well, it’s relatively simple since you can find out most of the prices of countertop materials online, and then you can allocate a set amount of money toward buying said material. This will not only make you choose options that you can afford, but it will also ensure that you don’t overspend on a material.

A lot of people tend to forget that buying a material isn’t just the only thing to worry about. You have to get it installed and maybe resize it according to your kitchen’s dimensions.

Don’t Forget About The Layout

The next thing you absolutely shouldn’t forget when it comes to choosing granite countertops is the layout of your counters. You might have the sink somewhere. You might have different-sized countertops and all of these things make up the unique layout of the kitchen.

If you don’t want the new countertops to mess up your layout, then you need to be careful when choosing prefabricated countertops because those are like puzzle pieces that are meant to fit in a specific place. So, when you’re trying to decide between getting custom granite slabs or pre-cut countertops, this is something to keep in mind.

Do Take Care Of Dimensions

The next thing that you want to keep in mind is the dimensions of the countertops when you’re choosing granite as your kitchen material. This is something that should go without saying, but you’ll be surprised at the fact that many people forget about the dimensions and they can either buy too big or too small countertops and then have them resized, which is doable, but tedious nonetheless.

So, if you want to save yourself from the trouble, then make sure that you’re taking the dimensions of the place where your new countertops will go and double and triple-check it, just in case. You don’t want to get these numbers wrong.

Don’t Ignore The Slab Thickness

The thickness of the granite slab is also very important to consider. It will determine the weight, the strength as well as the look of the side profile. There are varying thicknesses available in granite and you might think that getting the thickest slab possible is going to be a good decision but you know what they say: The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

However, that also doesn’t mean that you have to get paper-thin slabs. You want to choose something thick enough to be sturdy and strong, but manageable enough to get installed without the worry of it falling or damaging the cabinets just because it weighs too much.

Do Consider Edging

Countertop edges are also very important to go over and with granite, you have a ton of options. There isn’t just the simple edge but also the rounded edge, the bullnose edge, the tapered edge, and more. There are lots of edging design variations for granite countertops and you need to choose one that speaks to you.

Most edging designs are practical but some can be very difficult to deal with, so you want to look at a couple of designs and then make your decision.

Don’t Knock The Colors Till You Try Them

A lot of people love granite because it is available in lighter colors. Well, this is the very reason why a huge group of people tends to stay away from it. Light colors are just not their cup of tea. Well, you still might want to look at granite because it is a very aesthetic material.

Yes, it is light in color, but the way it looks similar to marble and the way it just compliments your kitchen is a thing that you don’t see in a lot of materials every day. They either overpower everything or they don’t look characteristic at all. Well, granite is the perfect balance of simplicity and magnificence. Moreover, their are darker granite colors as well for people who don’t like lighter tones.

Do Look At Samples

When you’re out buying granite countertops, one of the things you don’t want to forget is looking at the samples. Just like when you buy clothes and you check fabric samples, this is the same thing even though you’re looking at slabs for kitchen countertops.

Before saying yes to a material, you want to check the samples for the look, the feel, and the overall appearance of the material under different lights. This will give you an idea as to what the actual slab will look like.

Don’t Overlook Lighting

Speaking of light, you also want to keep the flow of light and the type of light coming into your kitchen in mind. Whether you have natural light, artificial light, overhead lights, hanging lights, or recessed lights, all of this will make a huge difference when it comes to how granite countertops look in the kitchen.

You might think that this is a bit too over the top, but once you see how the light reflects off the surface, you will want to keep this as a habit when selecting countertops for anywhere in the house. Light makes all of the difference.

Do Hire A Professional

Granite is a heavy material. So, if you think that you can install it by yourself and cut the costs of the installation crew, then you might want to think again.

If you want a seamless and effortless installation without breaking a sweat, then you need to hire a professional because they will install the slabs quickly and efficiently without even frowning. This is something that you will not regret because the results will speak for themselves.

Don’t Buy Before Comparing

You already have granite on your mind, so chances are that you will probably go for it. But this is where you’ll be making a mistake. If you’re spending the money on a kitchen countertop material, then it needs to be done the right way.

You want to explore all the options and while it doesn’t mean abandoning the option of granite altogether, it certainly does mean that you should not compare other materials and weigh out their pros and cons. This will lead you to make the right decision for choosing the best countertop material for your kitchen.

Conclusion

Granite countertops are amazing and all, but you need to know everything from the front to the back about these natural stone slabs so that you can make a decision you won’t regret in the future. Do get in touch with a reliable granite contractor Rockville who can guide you through the entire process of countertop selection and installation.