27

May

How To Choose Granite Countertops For Your Outdoor Kitchen?

Since the weather is getting nice with the warm sun and the light breeze, an outdoor kitchen sounds like the perfect place to fire up the stove and cook some delicious food. So, if you want to build an outdoor kitchen and you are stumped on the countertops, then here is everything you need to know about choosing granite countertops.

Why Granite For Outdoor Kitchen?

Granite Is Durable

Granite’s middle name is durable, which is something that you don’t see every day with kitchen countertop materials. If you want to go for a material that will not only look amazing but is amazing at staying that way for longer, then granite is what you want to choose for your outdoor kitchen.

It is a perfect material for the outdoors because the patterns, the colors, and everything just look so natural, and add to that its amazing strength and durability and you’ve got yourself the entire package.

Can It Handle High Temperatures?

Shortly, yes, granite can handle high temperatures. If you live in a place where the sun is always mercilessly blazing and there is no shade whatsoever, then you will see that granite will do just fine. It is a natural stone that is made underneath the Earth under unimaginable pressures and temperatures, so what’s a little bit of sun?

Granite is an amazing option to go for if you want something that will last you for a long time without fading away.

Granite Boosts Home Value

This is something that will convince you to get granite for your outdoor kitchen. Granite, even though it is expensive and not everyone can get their hands on a material like this, is amazing when it comes to return on investment.

When you go ahead and sell your house in the future and you add details of everything in the description of your house and the features, then you’ll see that people will flock over to see what the deal is. So, if you’re going to spend money on granite, then don’t worry because it will come back in one way or another.

Tips For Choosing Granite Countertops For An Outdoor Kitchen

Think About The Budget

When going for granite, one of the biggest things you have to think about is the budget. You don’t want to jump into granite without any financial prep. Think about it – granite is an expensive material. It is going to need a hefty budget for you to be able to afford it. You want to set a budget when getting granite, because the last thing you need is to go completely broke thanks to not planning things ahead of time. So, a budget, as tedious as it sounds, is crucial.

You want to think about how much will granite cost. Do your research on the internet and retailer shops, and then figure out an estimate for the slabs. That is how you will know how much you have to spend on getting granite for your outdoor kitchen.

Don’t Forget The Maintenance Aspect

Granite, as amazing as it is, is a very maintenance-heavy material. It is something that you have to keep in mind when going in for granite. Granite is a very durable material, but it also needs a bit of maintenance, especially when it is going to be outside almost all the time. So, you want to ensure that you’re thinking about how much maintenance it will require and also how much it will cost because that is another debacle that you have to sort out.

Things are not as easy when it comes to marble and you have to do everything you can to think about every possible thing before going for granite for your outdoor kitchen countertops.

Select The Color

The next thing you want to go over is the color of the countertops. Granite is available in a lot of colors and all of them are very pretty and majestic, but you want to choose the color you desire carefully. If you like darker colors, then check out the darker variants in granite.

If you love light and more neutral colors, then you can go for lighter ones. However, the part where you need to think about something else is the availability of said colors. Usually, dark colors are easily available, but light colors, not so much. So, you need to search the right places to get what you want.

Granite Needs Protection

Since the granite countertops will be exposed to extreme temperatures and weather 24/7, you need to think about protecting these bad boys and that is possible through proper sealing and taking care of the granite countertops. This is something that a lot of people don’t think about, but you have to if you’re going to get granite for your outdoor kitchen.

You will need to seal it more frequently than indoors because when you’re concerned with an outdoor kitchen, whatever you’re doing to protect your countertops indoors has to be done almost twice or three times as much.

Check Samples For A Better Idea

When you’re choosing granite, this is something that you want to avoid doing online or not in person. This is something that you have to do in a store under the different lights, checking and feeling for textures. This is why samples exist. Samples can give you a better idea of what the stone looks like and what it can feel like.

Yes, some samples can also be deceiving, but they’re very close to the real deal. Samples are worn out and the color may also be a bit dull, so the natural stone will be brighter and will look new because it hasn’t been touched and felt by hundreds of buyers before.

Go To A Trusted Retailer

When you’re getting granite for your outdoor kitchen you want to make sure that you’re going to a trusted and reliable retailer. There are lots of people who can scam you in any way and you want to steer clear of these circumstances at all costs.

If you’re spending the money on granite, then you should at least get something from a good retailer. So, check reviews of different places and even check different stores by yourself. You can’t fool what you see.

Slabs Or Tiles?

You also want to go over the choice of slabs or tiles. Granite is available in both forms. Slabs are thicker stones with a more edgier look to them, whereas tiles give a more unique look to the kitchen.

Slabs are thicker, so they’re stronger, but also heavier to deal with and install, whereas tiles are lightweight and can be easily installed, however, they’re fragile and can break easily. So, take your pick because it all boils down to what you like the most in your outdoor kitchen.

Conclusion

Granite is an amazing material and it is suitable for outdoor kitchens too. Buying granite countertops can be easy if you know your requirements and consult a trusted granite contractor Potomac who can guide you through the process. Good luck!

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.