28

Sep

8 Questions To Ask When Choosing Granite Countertops

If you haven’t bought countertops for your kitchen before, then selecting the material may be a tricky and daunting task. You might have heard of the big names in the countertop world such as quartz, marble, and granite countertops. If you want to go for granite, then these questions are really important to keep in mind.

Questions To Ask When Buying Granite Countertops

Is Checking Samples Enough?

Samples are small pieces of the actual stone that you see when you are in a retail store for granite countertops. When you’re looking at the color and texture, the sample and the actual stone may vary a lot.

So, you want to try your best and check retailers that have actual slabs on display too. Going to a slab yard will also do wonders when it comes to selecting granite and the color you want. So, no, samples aren’t going to cut it.

What Should Be The Color?

This is a question whose answer will be different for everyone. You can’t expect to have a cookie-cutter answer to a question that only you can answer and the best way to do that is to look at your kitchen and figure out what color looks the best, and then check your preference too.

If you love lighter colors, then you can go for them. If you love dark and the signature looks of granite, then you can go for that. Availability is also something that you have to factor in, because not all retailers have all the colors available in granite countertops.

Is The Thickness Of Slabs Important?

Yes, checking the slab thickness is really important, but that doesn’t mean that you have to get the thickest slab in order for it to be indestructible. Thicker slabs will be heavier and they will ultimately be a lot more expensive too. So, that is something that you have to keep in mind.

Also, thicker slabs can look very chunky at times, they are hard to install, and they just won’t go with your kitchen aesthetic either. Therefore, you need to hone in on this factor and consider which thickness will be the best for your kitchen and your budget.

Do I Have To Decide On The Edges?

Yes, the edges of the countertops are just as important as the color and pattern you’re choosing at the time of buying granite. There are lots of countertop edge styles out there and they’re all different. When you go to a retailer for granite countertops, you want to finalize the edges before the fabrication process begins.

This will ensure that you’ve dealt with everything and you don’t have to worry about anything else. So, if you love a certain edge design or its practicality, then you need to finalize it before calling it a day.

Is Granite High Maintenance?

Granite is a natural stone, which means that it is porous and it is also susceptible to damage due to harsh substances used in cleaning. When you think about maintaining granite, you need to seal it regularly to ensure that stains and splotches won’t be a problem in the future. You also have to buy special gentle cleaners that will clean the countertops and keep them from damage.

This is something that you really have to take care of, because you’re talking about an expensive stone and one wrong mistake can lead to irreversible damage, and you don’t want that.

Is Granite Worth The Price?

A lot of people know that granite is not a “reasonable” material when it comes to price. It is extremely expensive and, sometimes, people are not convinced by the price they’re paying and the stone that they’re getting. Well, granite is a very spectacular material when it comes to durability and longevity.

It outlives everything and it is one of the most loved stones ever. So, when you factor all of these things in, along with its hefty maintenance, it is worth it in the end. You just need to take care of it and you’ll be good to go for a long time.

Where Can I Get The Best Granite Countertops?

This is also something that will vary based on where you live and where you will find the best retailers for granite. There are countertop retailers everywhere, but are they good? That is something that you’ll only find out when you go through reviews and check the products for yourself.

Some granite countertop retailers have amazing reviews and their products are high quality too, so those are the ones you want to go for. They will surely give you the best of the best materials out there and you will be satisfied.

Which Type Of Granite Finish To Go For?

When you’re choosing granite as your kitchen countertop material, you need to figure out what finish you’re going for. This is going to be crucial for your kitchen, because based on the type of finish you choose, you’ll need to take care of a few things too. So, here are some of the very commonly found finishes of granite.

Honed Granite

First up is the granite finish, which is matte and not reflective at all. This is known as a honed finish. When you opt for a honed finish, you can expect the surface to look matte and not glossy at all. This is perfect for people who don’t want such a flashy or bright granite countertop. They can go for honed finishes, because they are easy to clean and you don’t need to maintain them a lot.

Polished Granite

Polished granite is exactly what it sounds like. It is highly reflective, it reflects light off the surface, and it is very glossy to the point that it looks wet. Polished granite is amazing if you want to hide the scratches on the surface, because the light will hide them really well. Also, the glossy finish looks really clean and new.

So, if that is something you like, then you can go for it. However, polished finishes tend to fade away over time, so you really need to preserve the shine by getting the stone polished every now and then. If you don’t, then the polish will get dull and it will disappear over the years.

Leathered Granite

Honed and polished granite surfaces don’t necessarily have any textures on the surface. They’re pretty much smooth to the touch. So, if you want something that has a bit of grit and texture on the surface, then you need to go for textured or leathered granite. Leathered granite has a grainy texture on the surface, like leather and it is not smooth.

So, if that is something that seems right up your alley, then you can go for it. It gives the kitchen a very rustic look, but it does need to be cleaned more thoroughly, thanks to the very texture you love.

Conclusion

When you’re choosing granite as your kitchen countertop material, you need ask these questions to make sure you’re buying something that’s right for you. If you need help in choosing materials or installing countertops, get in touch with granite companies Rockville.

18

Sep

Should I Choose Dolomite Or Quartz Countertops?

There are many countertop options out there. If you’re wondering what are the differences between dolomite and quartz countertops, then here is a comparison between them. You’ll figure out which one you like the most.

Dolomite Vs. Quartz Countertops

The Material

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite is a sedimentary rock and it is mainly composed of, well, dolomite. Dolomite is magnesium carbonate, but it has a high water content. This rock is usually found near water aquifers or groundwater bodies below the Earth’s surface and they have a very high water concentration.

From the looks of it, dolomite is really similar to a hybrid of granite and marble. It’s kind of like a dark marble with veining, but it is beautiful nonetheless. It is an amazing option to go for if you are looking for something that won’t look too harsh, but still natural and can sate your inner natural stone lover. Dolomite will impress you to no end and that is amazing.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a man-made stone. It is mainly composed of pulverized rocks and minerals, and they are all bound together by resin, which gives the countertop that glossy but super-hard finish.

Quartz is an amazing material because it has a striking similarity to marble, but it is not as fragile as marble. It is going to last you a very long time and it is going to be a winner in the kitchen, so you know that the material you chose is going to be good.

Durability

If you’re going to go through the trouble of getting a countertop material for your kitchen, then the least you can do is ensure that it is a strong cookie that will not get damaged if you breathe too loudly in front of it.

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite is not the hardest material on the block, but it is definitely a lot more harder than marble and other very fragile natural stones. Since this is also a natural stone, you can notice an innate strength in the stone and that is what makes this material so much better than those really fragile and very prone to damage materials. So, if you want something decently durable, then dolomite is the way to go.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is also an amazing material when it comes to durability. Since it is a man-made material, the manufacturer has free rein to make it as hard as the customer wants. This just means that they will put more stone and resin in the mixture and they will treat it under high pressure to turn the mushy substance into a solid rock that can scratch any surface.

So, quartz is definitely up there in durability, even more than most natural stones, which is saying a lot.

Cost

Both dolomite and quartz are very reasonable materials, but when you compare the two, dolomite wins this round, because it is more reasonable. Quartz can run a bit more expensive, but the things is that the cost of quartz counters is variable and it changes a bit with the quality and brand you choose.

So, if you’re concerned about the price, then now you know which one can fit your budget more seamlessly, without leaving your wallet empty and sad. So, take your pick wisely.

Heat & Scratch Resistance

This is also something that you want to consider when you’re looking for countertop options. They have to be strong enough to deal with scratches and stains.

Dolomite Countertops

When it comes to dolomite, it might be lacking in both. See, dolomite is a natural stone, which means that it has open pores on the surface. These pores, although they may seem harmless, can have really lasting effects when it comes to stains.

They will suck in water or moisture and you’ll be left with a mottled surface that has stains everywhere you look. Also, dolomite doesn’t scratch easily, but that is not to say that it doesn’t get scratched at all.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a material that is literally a stone, quality-wise. When you look at quartz, you can tell that it is a densely packed material with no pores on the surface at all. So, you can say goodbye to water damage forever.

As for scratches, since quartz is quite hard, it’s going to take a lot for it to get scratched, but you still want to play it safe. Just because something can endure scratches doesn’t mean that you should test its limits.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is also an important factor to consider, because you’re literally concerned with the kitchen here. There is going to be a lot of water usage, exposure, and contact. This is not something that you want to take lightly.

Dolomite Countertops

As far as dolomite is concerned, it can be made waterproof if you seal it. Think of sealant as a clear coat that is applied to the dolomite countertops to fill the exposed pores.

This dries to a rock-hard finish and then even if you leave water on the surface, it won’t get sucked into the rocky vortex. It will bead up on the surface, giving you plenty of time to wipe it all off.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz is waterproof so what you will get after sealing dolomite is something that is an innate quality of quartz, which is amazing. This means that you don’t need to go the extra mile and apply a sealant. This is something that really cuts down the maintenance and it is just amazing if a material can hold its own in the kitchen.

Maintenance

When you get a countertop material for your kitchen, you have to commit to maintaining it. It is not something that you can just set and forget. This is why you want to choose a material that is easy to maintain and won’t give you a headache in the long run.

Dolomite Countertops

Dolomite, being a natural stone, is going to be demanding when it comes to maintaining it. It is just something that comes with the baggage of natural stones. You have to seal them so that water doesn’t ruin them. You have to clean it, but then you have to let the countertops get fully dry too, because wet countertops are a no-go.

You also sometimes need specialty cleaners to clean and get rid of stains on the surface of dolomite because regular detergent can do more bad than good for the countertops. So, this is a lot.

Quartz Countertops

For quartz surface, all you really need to do is just clean the surfaces nicely and protect them from heat. Yes, quartz and heat don’t go well together and if you put something really hot on the surface of quartz, then you’ll be greeted by heat blisters, which is honestly the last thing you need. These stains or blisters are really hard to remove and they ruin the surface for good.

Conclusion

Quartz and dolomite are very different from each other as one is a man-made stone and the other is a natural stone. If you want to know about quartz, dolomite, or any other countertop material, consult a quartz countertop contractor Potomac.