24

Aug

Why Engineered Stones Countertops are Ideal for your Kitchen

Engineered stone countertops are made of crushed stones which are bound together by polymer resin or cement mix. Marble and quartz are the most used stones that produce engineered stones and are bonded together to create non-porous and beautiful engineered stone countertops. Apart from kitchen countertops, the engineered stone can be used for flooring and on walls. The engineered stone is made by forming blocks using machines after which the blocks are made into slabs for countertops or tiles.

Why Engineered Countertops

  • Strong, Durable and Attractive

Engineered kitchen countertops have a consistent look and will not fade for the longest time and have a uniform color making it perfect if you want to match your kitchen colors. The countertop comes in a variety of colors including earth tones colors. Colourants can be added to achieve the desired tone. While the engineered countertop is much cheaper, it has the same qualities as granite or any other slab. Engineered stones are resilient and durable ensuring that they last longer especially in a busy kitchen.

  • Heat Resistant

The engineered stones countertop is heat resistant and won’t crack easily. The engineered kitchen countertop is resistant to your cracks, which makes it ideal for the kitchen. Engineered stone does not accumulate bacteria or mold making more hygienic to use as the kitchen countertop.

  • Easy to Clean

The engineered countertops don’t absorb water or any dirt making it easy to clean. The stone is not susceptible to stains and that makes cleaning the engineered stone easier

  • Hygienic

The engineered countertop is non-porous and will not attract any germs or ide germs in the spaces.

The disadvantage of Engineered Kitchen Countertops

The only con to the Engineered kitchen countertops is, it’s hard to curve.

Steps to follow when maintaining Engineered Kitchen Countertops

  • Engineered countertops require minimal maintenance to keep their look
  • Regularly clean the countertop with warm water and mild soap. The countertop is highly resistant to stains and therefore don’t require much cleaning. Glossy finished surfaces require mild cleaners.
  • Don’t use strong chemicals, to clean the surface. Use the ingredients as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • In case of any stubborn stains, use a mild scouring pad to clean off the stain.
  • While installing the countertops, contact an expert installer to ensure its well done. Ensure that during installation there is expansion and contraction space for the countertop.
  • Scrape off any materials stuff on the countertop with a plastic knife
  • Occasionally polish the surface to give a shiny look
  • Avoid placing hot and very cold items on the countertop, as this will cause damage to the engineered countertop

Whether you choose granite countertops Rockville, quartz countertops or the Engineered stone countertops ensure it serves your purpose. Engineered stone countertops are ideal, especially for a busy kitchen. The countertop doesn’t require much maintenance; therefore if you are looking for simple and elegant, then this will work perfectly for you.

24

Aug

What You Need to Know About Quartz Kitchen Countertops

When remodeling your kitchen or building a new one you may be wondering what options you have on the kitchen countertop. It may be hard to decide whether to use granite or quartz or vanity countertops. To make your choice less daunting, we explore quartz kitchen countertops and everything about them that you need to know. Quartz is manmade and relatively new as compared to granite. Its durable and will give your kitchen the aesthetic value that it needs.

Advantages of Using Quartz

Quartz is made of around 95% quartz stones, and the rest of the composition is polymer resin to create a durable stone.

  • Non-Porous

Quartz has no pores in between; the resin polymer fills the gap in the crushed quartz to ensure that there are no spaces, making it more hygienic and easy to clean. The nonporous nature of the stone makes the stone resistant to stains, and food particles have no space to infiltrate making it ideal for a kitchen countertop as this will ensure high hygiene levels. You will find that bacteria, especially in the kitchen, will inhabit such spaces, but with quartz kitchen tops they ensure that there are no spaces for bacteria to latch on.

  • Scratch Resistant

Quartz stones are made of hard minerals and will take a long time before they yield to scratches making it a durable option for your kitchen. Quartz will not crack easily and therefore durable than natural stones

  • Heat Resistant

Quartz is not affected by heat and will take a long time, and any marks due to heat can be cleared if you use sandpaper on it.

  • Variety of Colors

Quartz is manmade and therefore comes in many colors as compared to natural stones. Consequently, it gives you a wider selection of colors.

Ensure that the quartz countertop is professionally installed by a quartz installer to achieve a professional look.

Disadvantages of Quartz

  • Quartz is humanmade and may not match the beauty of granites, and though its available in many colors, it may not match the regal look that comes with granite. We may not consider this a disadvantage as the beauty of something depends mainly on the buyer
  • Since the quartz is human-made, its likely to more expensive than natural stones as the manufacturer controls their availability.
  • Quartz is not ideal for outdoor use as exposure to sun, and other environmental factors will make the resin and color pigments to fade.
  • A quartz countertop will also have seams but they are less visible with a darker countertop. The quartz seams are easier to hide as color can be applied on the seams

Depending on your kitchen countertop needs, quartz is durable and easy to maintain. It’s ideal for use in high traffic kitchens as they are durable and heat resistant.