31

Jul

How Long Do Granite Countertops Last? Find It Here

One of the reasons homeowners are attracted to granite is because it’s durable. Since it’s made from tough materials, it’s resistant to scratching and heat.

Homeowners know granite is durable, but how long do granite countertops last?  When properly maintained, granite can last for a long time. Experts say the countertops can last for more than 100 years.

Comparing granite to other countertop materials

So how does granite compare to the other countertop materials?

  • Natural stone and granite: 100+ years
  • Cultured marble: 20 years
  • Laminate: 20-30 years
  • Concrete countertops: 20 years
  • Tile: 100+ years

How can you ensure the countertops last for as long as possible?

As mentioned above, you need to do the right things for the countertops to last for a long time. Some of the things you should do include:

Choose the right color.

Did you know the color of the stone has a great impact on the durability of the countertops? When you choose the wrong color for your lifestyle, you will be bored with it fast, or it will get stained, forcing you to replace it. The most popular colors to choose from are:

Black: Black is sleek, elegant, and never gets out of style. Black can also give your kitchen the impression of space.

White: Looking to give your kitchen a modern and contemporary look? White is the way to go. For a great look that you will proud of for years, pair it with white appliances and sinks.

Red: It’s said to be the color of daring and energetic. Many homeowners shy away from it so that you won’t find it in many homes. It’s rare to come across pure red, but it’s easy to bump into red granite featuring white, blue, or light-colored highlights that you can use to make a powerful statement.

Green: For a traditional and earthy look, green is the right color to go with. You can also pair green with bursts of grey and brown to create an old-fashioned, comforting vibe that makes your kitchen one of the most relaxing places to be.

Seal the countertops

Another way to make your countertops last for a long time is to seal them. Granite is naturally porous, so air can pass through it. At the time of installation, you should seal the stone so no liquids can go through and cause stains.

To maintain the sealing properties, make it a habit to seal the counters at least once every one or two years.

You can do the sealing yourself or hire an expert to help you out. Regardless of who does the work, ensure you use a high-quality sealing product.

Clean the countertops regularly

Can you imagine a simple act as cleaning the countertops can give your surfaces a long life? Every day, clean granite with warm water and a soft rag. You also should consider investing in a disinfectant cleaner designed specifically for granite surfaces.

You should avoid regular cleaning products on granite as they tend to be too abrasive, and they can easily break down the sealants, exposing your countertops to stains and damage.

Protect the surfaces from damage

Even if the surfaces are tough, when you hit them with heavy material, they will crack, and you have to replace the entire slab. You don’t want this, do you? To protect the surfaces, don’t hit them with a heavy object.

When preparing your food, always use a cutting board.

Ensure the countertops are properly installed

Everything begins here. If your countertops aren’t properly installed, it’s a matter of time before they break. To prevent this, ensure you use extra beams and other support systems necessary to hold up granite.

This calls for you to hire experienced granite contractors Rockville. While they will be a little bit expensive, they will properly install the countertops, which will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Use the countertops properly.

You will have the most properly installed countertops, but they will crack or suffer from other forms of damage if you misuse them. To avoid damage, don’t stand, sit, or use the countertops for any other purpose other than what they are designed to do.

15

May

How Far Can Granite Countertops Span Without Support?

When you are installing granite countertops, it’s common to wonder, how far can granite span without support? This depends on the thickness of the granite slab that you have. If your slab is 10” thick, you can get away with an overhang that is 1-1/4”.

The thicker the slab, the longer the overhang you can have without worrying about the countertop being unbalanced.

In addition to adding the supports at the right places, there are plenty of other tips you need to consider:

Rod the countertops

Rodding aims at reinforcing the countertops to prevent cracking and breaking of the countertops in areas where the stone could be more susceptible to pressure. One of the most effective ways of reinforcing the countertops is by using fiber rodding.

If you don’t know how to do it, there are plenty of guides online that you can follow. You can do the reinforcement by yourself or hire an expert to help you out.

Work at hiding the granite seams

When you bring two slabs together, you are bound to have seams. The big issue is, how can you make the seams less noticeable? Luckily, there are plenty of tricks you can use:

One of the ways is ensuring that the edges of the stone are clean. When they are clean, you are more than likely to have a cleaner seam. As you are bonding two slabs, pull the stones together. This way, you narrow the gap between the stone edges, making the seams less noticeable.

Another highly effective technique is dressing the edges, so they are as straight as possible. When choosing the adhesive color, go for one that closely matches that of the stone.

One of the highly effective ways of hiding the seam is putting it on a 45° edge. When you combine the edge lamination with clean edges, color-matched adhesive, and tight seams, you are bound to have excellent results.

Invest in high-quality slabs

Granite is a natural stone that varies greatly in color, veining, and patterns. It also comes in a variety of grades that include: commercial, builder, standard, and premium. For you to get the most from the stone you are installing, you should invest in a high-quality stone.

When you are shopping, be on the lookout for a stone selling at meager prices as it’s most likely of cheap quality. For you to buy a high-quality stone, only shop at reputable stores with a proven record.

Work with a reputable granite company.

Unless you are an expert, you should refrain from installing the countertops by yourself. Instead, hire an expert countertop company to help you out. One of the prime mistakes homeowners make is being in a hurry when hiring the contractors. Don’t do this.

Take your time to visit as many contractors as possible. As you are interviewing them, ask them for their past work. You also should visit review sites and see what other customers have to say about their experience with the countertop installation company.

For excellent results, ensure that the company is using the latest and properly maintained equipment. This ensures that the cuts are clean and accurate. This way, you are sure that the contractor will get the work done fast and accurately.

Consider granite remnants

If you are looking to install the countertops on a small countertop and you don’t have a large budget, you shouldn’t stress yourself over it. Instead, get granite remnants from friends and family. You also can ask a granite company whether it has any granite leftovers that you can use.

Most of the companies will sell you the remnants at meager prices. If you have a good relationship, the company can even give them to you.

Take good care of the countertops.

Installing the countertops isn’t enough—you have to take good care of them. In addition to protecting the countertops from the heat by placing pans and trivets when cooking, granite installers Rockville recommends that you also regularly seal the countertops so that spills don’t stain the countertops.

Also, regularly clean the countertops. When doing it, take care not to use abrasive materials that can etch the surfaces.