29

Oct

How Granite Countertops are Timeless

Some elements of home design are always in style. For instance, porcelain bathtubs have always been linked with comfort and elegance. Large picture windows have attracted bright and natural light, plus the positivity into homes for hundreds of years. In addition, granite has always been a prime material since they were first incorporated in a kitchen or bathroom. Aside from that, granite companies are not hard to find and they will happily install the best countertops for you.

There are a lot of reasons why granite is timeless and its popularity never fades. There are also more reasons why granite will always be popular. Here are the top reasons why granite countertops are still the top choice today:

Its Equity is Forever

When you observe people who are trying to improve their homes for reselling in the future, it would be good to be acquainted with what prospective buyers want. Similar to what you see on TV, people are going to walk away from home because it lacks granite countertops. You should know what homeowners want, and you can tell that there is a higher demand for natural stone right now. If you want to invest money in your home, but cannot install something that will be outdated soon, choose granite.

Possesses Natural Beauty

Granite is naturally beautiful. A kind of igneous rock that is found deep underground, granite is because of quartz and other natural minerals such as phosphorus that undergoes intense heat, pressure, and underground. It will take many years before granite forms. Every piece of natural granite stone will represent something real that comes naturally from the earth with a unique characteristic. The unique phenomenon behind every granite slab makes it timeless.

Composition

A lot of granites have semiprecious stones. They provide different flecks of color that will add interest and appeal to the stone, however they make it more expensive because those slabs are not as common.

Visual Appeal

Even if there are different types of flooring that is available in the market, granite tiles are likely the most sophisticated ones. They are going to highlight neutral themes that are eye-catching. Architects that use granite tiles choose to do so because of their outstanding looks.

Durability

Why does granite continue to be among the best options for a bathroom or kitchen countertop? The reason is that granite resists moisture damage, which can withstand both heat and cold, and is hard to scratch or scruff. It does not lose the natural coloring or patterns over time. Even if granite can stain if you are not cleaning it well, or if you expose it too caustic substances like bleach, regular re-sealing ensures the stone maintains its original beauty. A few materials have the same lifespan as granite. Even marble is another popular natural stone.

Ancient

When people are masking themselves if granite is only a trend, maybe they should look farther back than just the last fifty or a hundred years. Granite has definitely stood the test of time. If you have a granite countertop, what you have in your home is something that has been part of architecture for thousands of years.

A way to determine if something is only part of a trend is whether or not it can look dated after a couple of years. For instance, huge bellbottoms might have been in fashion, but not anymore. But you know what you might have worn in the 1970s, a pair of jeans in 2015, or out in the west like a leather jacket? Granite is the same thing.

You can talk to granite installers Potomac anytime.

 

 

21

Oct

How to Protect Your Countertops Over the Holidays

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, especially when you celebrate it with friends and family. However, if the holidays are approaching quickly, you might forget about the care and maintenance of the countertops.

If you want to protect your granite or quartz countertops, you should take note of what the experts say because they can provide the best tips.

During the holiday season, the need for cooking and baking increases, which will definitely land on the countertops. Therefore, you should put measures to protect countertops each time there are festivities. Even if the stone is able to withstand the holiday season, you might have to go the extra mile. Learn more by reading further.

Clean the Countertops Right Away

You should not wait to clean your countertops until the end and clean up messes that happen. The acidic ingredients, hot food, and drinks are going to leave dull spots on the stone if you do not take care of it right away. Remember that the most dangerous messes are those that have different acids. They will only leave dull spots, which is also called etching, but they leave difficult stains. You should give counters thorough cleaning using dish soap after you bake and cook.

Wipe up the Spills

Your kitchen will have a lot of activity over the holidays. With a lot of kitchen traffic, you can forget to care for the counters.

The majority of surfaces can easily get stained. Unfortunately, family gatherings and parties normally do not end with no spills. If you invite family members and loved ones for Christmas or Thanksgiving, make sure you immediately wipe up spills.

Failure can give the liquid enough time to penetrate the stone. If you are wiping up spills right away, you will also prevent the formation of stains.

Avoid Any Damage

There are a lot of things you can do in order to protect stone countertops and it helps prevent damage. Ask your guests to use coasters to avoid spilled liquids and drink rings. They should be placed out to make them accessible to anyone. This will also encourage your guests to use coasters without you having to prompt them.

One way to avoid damage is to use heat-resistant pads. These kitchen essentials are excellent for pots and pans, together with casserole dishes, crockpots, and others.

Even if this is given, it should be said that you must always a cutting board when you prepare food. Sharp knives could leave etches on stone countertops, which cannot be repaired most of the time.

Seal Your Countertops

Since granite is a natural stone, it should be resealed. The primary way you can protect granite countertops is to have them resealed regularly. If your granite countertops are sealed within the past years, then you might want to make this a top priority. A sealed countertop will be resistant to stains, spills, and heat, taking the stress off your shoulders and worrying about any damage. Aside from that, resealing is a good habit. In case you have more questions about resealing your countertops, you should take them to your countertop installers.

Only Use Mild Household Cleaners

Quartz or granite countertops are tougher and resistant to stains, scorches, and scratches. Even if the finishing enables them to be stain-resistant, they use cleaners to protect counters from stains despite the kind of stone.

Using mild household products because they help clean counters while protecting them from any permanent damage. Avoid using harsh cleaners to get rid of stubborn spills and stains.

You can talk to countertop replacement services Potomac anytime if you want them to check your countertops before the holidays.

 

21

Sep

Why the Best Countertops for Baking are Quartz

Kitchen workspaces for pastries are important for individuals who are passionate about baking. Quartz countertops give you an appropriate space when it comes to pursuing your home baking as a career or hobby. Quartz countertops are very versatile and attractive, but they are economical and low-risk.

The countertop, flooring, fixtures, lighting, fittings, and finishes are among the top factors that can contribute to memories created in the kitchen. Kitchen countertops are an important and exceptional component while it functions at the center of kitchen activities. Quartz is an excellent material that is resistant and strong to heat, which makes it ideal for chopping, mixing, baking, and frying. You will learn more about it now.

It is Not Porous

Quartz countertops are now more popular in recent years and it is not surprising. They are durable and beautiful, and taking care of them is easy. However, one of the best features of quartz is that it is not porous. That means it will not absorb any spills or stains like other kinds of countertops, which makes it easy to maintain cleanliness.

If you love to bake, it is ideal to use quartz. It is cool and smooth, so it is the perfect surface for rolling dough in your bakery kitchen. Since it does not absorb liquids or food particles, it is easy to keep it clean. Regardless if you are a professional baker or you only enjoy making, go for quartz.

Acid-Resistant

Lemon bars and using acidic materials is a common baking recipes, therefore using a quartz countertop prevents damage in case there are spills. Baking ingredients are safe whenever you use an acid-resistant quartz countertop. Nevertheless, your countertop should always be regularly cleaned no matter what type of baking ingredients you are using.

Low-maintenance

At the same time, since they are poreless, routine maintenance and cleanup have become simpler. You can wipe down the countertops using a damp cloth and then you are done.

With quartz countertops, they are never a seal you can see. Unlike the more porous countertops such as marble, quartz countertops do not need harsh chemical seals. Your countertops can live and breathe without a yearly checkup that drains your bank account and time.

Durable

Quartz countertops are among the most durable surfaces that you can have for your kitchen. They are made using the hardest minerals you will find, which means they are resistant to stains and scratches. Durability is crucial for any layout in the kitchen baking, but it is mainly important for people who love to bake.

If you are always rolling the dough or working with chocolate and sugar, you will require a countertop that is able to stand up to wear and tear. The truth is, that quartz is durable that it is normally used in commercial kitchens. In case it can stand up to professional kitchen demands, it can definitely stand up to baking projects you love to do.

It Can Keep its Temperature

A consistent and dependable temperature is important when you bake. Quartz countertops have a consistent temperature since they do not conform to temperature changes in the kitchen. When you bake, you do not have to worry about the dough sticking after a rollout due to cold temperatures. Your cookies are going to cool right away, and the butter will not melt before the time you need it to. This is very helpful and any baker will love this about having quartz countertops.

You can contact quartz countertop contractors Potomac anytime once you are ready to have them installed and make your kitchen ready for a lot of baking.

 

 

13

Sep

Choosing the Right Countertop Backsplash

With a modern kitchen design inspiration, most of the time the backsplash is an oversight. You will most likely plan your appliances, countertops, and kitchen cabinets in advance, but a lot of homeowners forget the backsplash.

Even if a kitchen backsplash is mostly a practical tool that is used for stopping walls from becoming dirty, it also serves as an aesthetic backdrop and focal point in the kitchen. It depends on the design, but you should know which one to choose. You can ask the advice on countertop replacement services, but it would also be good to have your own ideas.

The nice thing about choosing a beautiful backsplash is that you do not have to be a professional interior designer to choose one that matches your style.

Tile or Stone Backsplash

There are many kinds of kitchen backsplashes to pick from, but the majority of homeowners choose a stone or tile. If you have granite or quartz countertops, you can get a matching backsplash that goes along the walls. This option is not for all applications, it can be expensive to install. The stone is heavy and it needs sturdy bracing to secure the walls. It is hard to cut around the cabinet layout.

For the majority of kitchen designs, tile is the best way to go. You can have it customized, installation is easy, and it is more cost-effective as time goes by.

Calculate How much You Need

If you want to calculate how much backsplash you will need, you should take the length of the area where the tile is going to be placed and multiplied by the area height. You can complete this calculation for each tile area. You can then add each amount together and multiply it by 1.1. This allows a 10% overage if there is a broken tile or odd tile cut.

Design Accent

In a lot of kitchens, the area on top of the stove is the best place for an added feature. This is normally a rectangle or square tile that looks a little different compared to the rest of the backsplash. If your backsplash is fake, the accent can be a herringbone pattern of brick that has a square border. These small changes help in making your kitchen look personalized and thought out.

Glass Tile

You would not think it will be a nice backsplash for your kitchen, but glass is 100% waterproof, so it is a great backsplash option if your kitchen has a lot of moisture, steam, and splashes.

And it will not easily shatter, so do not worry.

Glass tile has a lot of colors and the natural translucency can create a dazzling shiny effect unlike anything else. Usually, the glass will be reinforced and scratch-resistant as well.

However, since glass is translucent, you will see grouting that is poorly done beneath it, so a professional installation is required. No one wants to look at their glass style and see adhesive or grout staring at them.

Do Not Break Your Budget

If you are currently remodeling your kitchen, the costs add up, which is why it is important to balance your budget. Even if there are areas where you can splurge and save on some, you can be more conservative if you choose tiles.

With a lot of tile options available at great prices, it is not sensible to dedicate a huge part of the budget to your backsplash. Therefore, you do not have to pay too much.

You can contact granite companies Rockville once you have chosen a backsplash so they can install them already.

22

Aug

What You Did Not Know About Kitchen Countertops

Among the countertop materials available are granite countertops, and granite is normally the most sought-after. It is beautiful, elegant, and lasts a lifetime if you compare it to other countertop materials. Most of the time, it offers numerous benefits. Being a homeowner who considers granite as an option for kitchen remodeling. It is important for you to know what you can about it. This knowledge is helpful when it comes to ensuring that you make the right choice for your lifestyle and family, and it helps you in making an informed decision regarding your investment.

There are a lot of common and popular facts about granite, and an average person does not know all of them as well. Read on.

Granite is Among the Hardest Materials to Ever Exist on Earth

You for sure knew that granite is solid and hard, but are you aware that it is among the hardest materials you will ever encounter? Granite is so hard that it comes second to diamond, which is the hardest material. Granite cannot get chipped or cracked using any substance, but you need to be careful if you have a diamond ring and you are close to the countertop because that can chip it. Granite is the toughest and hardest material you can buy for a countertop. Granite installers are going to recommend you make a heavy and hard cabinet base in order to withstand the pressure and granite countertop weight.

Granite is Comprised of Many Materials

The granite mineral composition is mainly mica, feldspar, and quartz. Other materials also make up the granite composition, and these materials determine different stone colors. For example, red or pink granite comes with a high concentration of feldspar. Dark brown or black granite has plenty of amphibole and mica.

Granite is a Little Radioactive

This is a fun fact, but you should know this because, even if it is true, it gets reduced most of the time. Granite emits some radon, but that should not scare you. The amount granite emits is less than common compared to garden soil. Mostly, the fear that is aroused by radioactive countertop is because of fact. Granite is a safe substance for the home and where you will prepare food.

The Cost Depends on the Color

The granite countertop color depends on the granite slab’s mineral composition. The most common colors of granite kitchen countertops are beige, sand, and brown. The rarest colors are red, blues, dark brown, and maroon. The mineral content of feldspar is what makes it red while a higher mica quantity gives the dark and brown color. Blue and red colors are rare, and they are very expensive. In addition, increased crystal content in granite countertops costs more. A granite countertop is a colored sand with low crystal content.

Granite is Not Totally Smooth

When people look at granite, they think it is totally smooth, but that is not completely true. There are small pits and spaces between different crystals in stone. These pits are because of the mineral called biotite, and you should expect them when you buy a natural stone, which includes granite. Some people could believe that these pits make an undesirable granite slab, but this is not the case because all-natural stone slabs come with pits.

Granite Should be Sealed

While it is durable and scratch-resistant, granite is a bit permeable to moisture unless you seal it. ideally, you should do this once a year so it stays intact.

You can contact granite countertop installers Rockville anytime for the best outcome.

09

Aug

Causes of Stain on a Quartz Countertop

Quartz countertops are made using two main materials: natural quartz and polymer resins. Natural quartz is the one that is impervious to different liquids, non-reactive, and impermeable to gases.

The polymer resins are binding the quartz particles. However, in certain conditions, the polymer might experience some chemical transformations. This can occur if you leave behind any harsh chemicals on the countertop for a longer period.

Slow reactions can lead to staining. This might sound alarming but different manufacturers use stable polymers with high resistance to chemicals, which makes countertops safe for preparing food. The quartz will unlikely stain since it is non-porous and hard.

Here are the causes of staining on a quartz countertop.

Acids

Acidic liquids such as vinegar are a huge no-no regardless if you have granite or quartz countertops. The spills can be wiped off, but you can try to prevent your vinegar from drying on the surface. The same goes for wine. The wine stains can be cleaned easily, but when you cook using these ingredients together with balsamic vinegar, you would want to clean up all the mess right away.

From Cleaning Chemicals

You must never use chlorine or bleach-based products on your countertop. These are corrosive chemicals and cause heavy etching. When you use these chemicals, the sealant can also degrade on your countertops.

The time you can use bleach is through deep cleaning where you might have to use it on the surfaces inside your home. It can be used once the quartz countertops are dry and then it should be immediately wiped off.

The top cleaning solution you can use for quartz countertops is a commercial-level cleaner that is primarily made for stone surfaces. These cleaners are going to ensure that your quartz countertop will always look new and shiny for many years to come.

Coffee and Tea

Like wine and vinegar, you should never allow coffee and tea spills to linger on the quartz countertop until it becomes dry. The tannins that give these drinks their colors will slowly penetrate your quartz countertop’s seal. Through time, this will slowly make your countertops appear more aged than it is. Thankfully, the majority of coffee stains can easily be removed using a quick wipe of a damp cloth. For the tougher stains, you can use a granite cleaner and mild quartz.

Heat Damage Caused by Hot Pots

Similar to hot spills produced by coffee, oil, etc. It can cause your quartz surfaces to get badly stained, heat damage coming from hot pans, and others can cause stains to appear on the quartz.

If you put a hot pot on the quartz surface, the heat damages the resins that hold the stone together which causes staining.

Even if you can use a hot pad or trivet to prevent any heat damage, you should avoid putting anything that goes directly on quartz surfaces.

In case you end up with heat damage, talk to a professional right away to restore the surfaces. They can provide you with resurfacing and cleaning solutions that effectively remove stains without damaging your quartz surface.

Sealants

As much as you want to keep future stains from happening with physical barriers, you should not use sealants that are for natural slabs. Quartz is non-porous, while natural slabs are, which means the sealants will not absorb and adhere.

Sealants are not going to be effective on quartz surfaces, and sometimes, sealants can change the color of quartz surface so it becomes hazy.

You can contact quartz countertop installer Rockville anytime if you have questions about the care and maintenance of your countertop.

 

 

30

Jul

Countertop Installation Mistakes

When you observe a person who steals installing countertops, with their given materials, making the job easy. However, people are unable to understand that installing a countertop, even the walls, floors, and cupboards are not always perfect, squared, or leveled. Professional kitchen and home builders will anticipate that expected places where they should be installed are imperfect and out of their control. It is going to take skills, experiences, and knowledge in order to set these items in place.

Aside from the capabilities of experts in installing granite countertop installers and doing things for you. It is worth it to know more countertop installation issues so you can understand the process. Therefore, here are common fitting issues and how they can be fixed.

Using the Wrong Material

When you choose a material for your countertop, you must consider if the slab is natural or man-made and is going to suit your needs. Natural stones of the slab are porous in nature, and it requires the application of a great quality sealer. Granite that is properly sealed and natural is durable and sustainable, but the marble slabs are susceptible to getting damaged by anything acidic such as citrus juices, wine, or vinegar. If you leave it out too long, they can leave a dull mark on your marble countertops. For some people, this gives you a beautiful patina, but some see it as a frustrating mistake.

The Granite is Too Thick

Granite slabs should not be glued together. The reason behind this is that even if your granite slabs are going to last for years, the adhesives do not offer the same amount of durability. Therefore, if you choose a slab that is 1.5” thick but you are looking for something thicker, you might want to glue two slabs together if you want the desired look. This should not be done because the glue is going to begin deteriorating and they will have gaps between them, and this leads to irreplaceable damage.

Choosing the Wrong Edge

You should consider the edge of your countertop. This is mainly true for a family house or if there are kids because the wrong edge could cause a bigger hazard. Therefore, it is important that you should think about which edge is making sense for your home countertops. Usually, a counter must be smooth-edged so you can maximize the value it brings you.

Cracks

One common problem with countertop installation is cracks. This normally occurs when the countertop installers do not handle the slab carefully or place too much pressure on it. But the granite countertop will only crack after the installation. Chances are, it was in an uneven era. If you spot cracks after the installation, you should inform the countertop installer right away.

However, if you want to avoid this, you need to allow installation experts to check the surface first. You will witness them using a laser level while measuring the surface prior to installing a countertop. This is going to help them in identifying imperfections on the surface and they can formulate the right strategy for them. The countertop should be cleaned before installation.

The Sink is Not Levelled

With granite countertops, you can have an under-mounted sink, making it easier to clean. However, if you do not level the sink properly with the granite countertop, there are loose particles that will spill and roll in several directions, which is going to make everyday tasks harder.

Those who work within the space should clean up after.

You should talk to granite contractors Potomac so that you can be sure that the installation will go smoothly.

 

09

Jul

How Granite Countertops Increase Home Value

If you own a home and you know that you will eventually sell the property, you should consider renovating carefully. While a home renovation is appealing, not all upgrades can improve the value of your home as much.

One room that a lot of homeowners normally improve and renovate is their kitchen. Granite countertops are among the first areas in your kitchen where you can consider upgrades. These granite countertops are now more popular, but a lot of homeowners are wondering if the value-added can justify the expense of an upgrade.

If you are investing in kitchen renovation, one way to revamp your room is to use granite for a clean and high-end look. They are very durable and contemporary in any kitchen. Read on to know more reasons why granite increases the value of your home.

The Appeal is Timeless

Granite retained its popularity and appeal for a lot of reasons, which include strength, beauty, and durability. The veining, marbling, and colors occur naturally, and no two swabs are the same. If your concern is about adding home value and making it more appealing to future buyers, go for granite with neutral or earth tones such as black, white, or brown. Granite is very popular that a lot of home buyers consider it a necessity.

Aesthetically Appealing

Granite countertops are known for having rich colors and they have distinctive veining, which adds unique character and unparalleled appeal to the décor of your kitchen. Each slab has its own shade and flecks, as well as streaks that allow you to see impressive visual effects and personalized designs as well. These subtle variations and contrasts make granite look so stylish and luxurious.

High Return on Investment

Real estate experts will tell you that kitchens are going to sell homes. When you update your kitchen, homebuyers will appreciate it even more. However, a kitchen upgrade does not have to cost a fortune.  A minor to moderate kitchen renovation can cost between $20,000 to $25,000, which offers a return on investment between 90% to 100%. This might include upgrading your granite countertops, which the majority of buyers see as a desirable material.

They are Practical and Durable

Granite is strong and hard, which means it can retain the gorgeous look and feel even after many years of use. When you seal it properly, it is scratch-resistant and stain-free, which takes the normal wear and tear very well. In addition, granite is not a heat conductor and it can withstand 900 degrees Fahrenheit without getting damaged. Granite surfaces do not get marred by scraping, cutting, or other kitchen activities and have little requirements for maintenance. All you have to do is to keep your countertops looking good and clean by wiping the surface using a dampened cloth with warm water and mild detergent when the day ends.

They are easy to clean and durable, resistant to heat and scratch, suitable for preparing food, and great for kitchen countertops.

Environmentally Friendly

Unlike a lot of countertop materials sold in the market today that are harmfully manufactured, granite is a product that is naturally quarried from the earth without chemical damage. You can polish or hone granite before installation, but there is no need for a manufacturing process. If you properly maintain it, granite countertops can last a long time, which reduces landfill waste. You should clean it regularly to maintain your granite countertop, and it is a lot easier than other countertop materials.

You can talk to granite installers Rockville if you want to increase your home value with the best outcome.

29

Jun

How to Choose the Right Granite Slab for Your Kitchen

While kitchen remodels might feel overwhelming, there are so many options these days you can choose from, including the colors of granite you choose. All of them look beautiful because granite is natural, and each slab varies in color and pattern. Therefore, which color do you choose? In this article, you will learn a couple of principles to remember before choosing the color for your countertop.

Granite is among the most popular material for countertops. Aside from its durability, it is available in many styles and colors, which makes it easy to pair with any kind of appliance and cabinetry.

Once you contact the countertop replacement services, at least you already have an idea of what you want. Read on to know more.

Match it with the Cabinets

There are two main ways that you can pair cabinets and granite: matching the color with cabinets or you can pair the marbling and veining. The first way to match granite counters is to opt for granite with the same color as the cabinets but the veining is darker. For instance, white cabinets are gorgeous looking and have grey veins, brown, and black. If you are interested in granite with color contrast, you should choose the one with veins that will match your cabinetry. The same one pairs beautifully with espresso cabinets. It might also be helpful to check out popular things of granite countertops and cabinetry.

Consider Your Kitchen Size

Do you have a small or large kitchen? The kitchen size is an important factor when it comes to picking the perfect slab, and the pattern. If you have a small kitchen, you should opt for light-color granite because it gives your kitchen a spacious look. When there is little natural lighting, your kitchen is going to look smaller. You can correct this effect when you use light-colored granite. Dark granites that veins running through will work for this purpose as well. As for the large kitchens, you can safely experiment with dark colors. In addition, choose the patterns based on your kitchen size. The three main patterns are speckled, solid, and marbled. Solid granite is an excellent choice for kitchens that are smaller. Busy patterns make a small kitchen seem cramped. If you have a large kitchen, marbled and speckled forms are great. Two colors of granite also go well with larger kitchens.

Contrast Makes the Kitchen Look More Pleasing

If you check photos of designer kitchens or watch several home makeover TV shows, you will notice that the majority of them feature some contrast between dark and light. For instance, in case the kitchen cabinets are dark then you want light kitchen countertops. If there are light and dark elements in a room, they will add visual balance: Dark colors serve as anchors and lighter ones take off some weight and make your room feel more open and spacious. Therefore, when you consider using a contrasting color to cabinets for your countertops, it will be good.

Choose a Unique Granite Pattern

Aside from choosing a color, you can also choose a granite pattern. Solid granite does not have a lot of variation in the pattern, and it is a great choice for smaller kitchens where a busy pattern makes the area look cramped. Marbled granite comes with a smooth transition between color and texture. Speckled granite is a great option with a lot of variation in texture and color and it would be excellent if you want to make a statement.

These are the best ways to choose granite countertops Rockville for your kitchen.

 

16

Jun

Mistakes to Avoid When You Have a Quartz Kitchen Countertop

The majority of homeowners still see kitchen remodeling as one of the most important home renovation aspects. Based on statistics, one in every household does a kitchen remodel yearly.

The most important surface in your home is the countertop, and it is the main feature that homeowners want to replace. They contact countertop replacement services to have their quartz countertop installed. However, there are mistakes that some people make when it comes to their countertop. If you are planning to get quartz countertops, you should know what not to do in order to properly maintain it. Find out what you must not do so that it will last for a long time.

Relying Too Much on Harsh Cleaners

Harsh cleaners loaded with chemicals do not mix well with quartz countertops. It is important to stay away from alkaline and acidic cleaners because they can weaken the bonds between quartz and resin and can damage the surface layer over time. While it hampers the sealant’s efficacy too, the countertop can become prone to easily getting stained.

You Do Not Wipe Spills Right Away

If you allow any type of spill to sit on your countertop, specifically an acidic solution like vinegar or wine, for a long time on your countertop, it is going to penetrate the stone. This will result in staining. Quartz is normally marketed to be stain-resistant. It is crucial to remember that the engineered stone is not stain-proof.

The best way for you to prevent stains is to make sure they do not happen at first. However, if you spill something, make sure that you clean up the mess right away. You can take a dish cloth together with warm soapy water in order to clean up spills.

Using Pads that are Too Abrasive

Some homeowners like to use abrasive cleaning pads that can starch and dull quartz countertops. You need to avoid hard-bristled brushes, metal scourers, and scrubbing pads. You should use a gentle approach, ideally a soft rug for cleaning and clean cotton cloth for drying. This way, the quartz surface will remain beautiful and shiny for a long time.

You Place Hot Items on the Countertop Directly

Even if quartz countertops have heat-resistant properties, you should not assume that it is immune to heat. If the temperature is over 300 degrees F, it can damage your countertop.

You should not place hot pans or pots on the countertop because extreme heat can be damaging to the resin of your countertop’s surface, which results in discoloration. Discoloration, because heat damage is irreversible, and you would have to replace the entire slab of stone to remove the damage.

You Cut Food Directly on the Countertop

Most of the quartz slabs are NSF-approved. They can be used for food preparation. However, with the right force, using your knife directly on the countertop’s surface to cut and chop ingredients can cause scratches. The small scratches and nicks will gradually dull the surface and erode the beauty of your countertop.

Placing Your Sizzling Hot Utensils on the Countertop

Yes, quartz countertops are resistant to heat by nature. However, placing sizzling hot utensils on the countertop all the time will cause discoloration on the countertop. At the same time, it becomes more prone to cracks. Before placing your sizzling hot utensils on the countertop, you should put a tray or cloth where you can place your utensils so that they do not directly go on the quartz surface.

You can contact the quartz countertop installer Rockville for your kitchen countertop replacement.