07

Jan

How to Choose the Right Material of Countertop

If you are thinking of replacing kitchen counters, you can freely do it anytime. Gone are those days when the only choices you had were wood butcherblock or plastic laminate. Nowadays, there are dozens of available countertops, which range from natural stone and renewable sheets made of acrylic to tinted concrete and quartz composites. Countertops come in different patterns, colors, and textures in order to satisfy a design goal.

You can opt for quartz kitchen countertops or granite, depending on what you prefer. If you do not know which material is the best for you, this article is going to help you find out. There are a couple of factors to consider, so read on now to know more.

What to Consider in the Material

Durability

You need to think about how you are going to use the countertops and who are going to use them. In case you have children that make a mess, or you want to prepare meals directly on countertops, the material should be able to take the heat.

Appearance

As mentioned, you should not choose a countertop material according to its looks. However, the aesthetic is an important part of the countertop and overall design. Each material is visually quite different, so remember the finished look you want when deciding.

Performance

Several materials perform differently, regardless of how resistant they are to bacteria growth or cracking to how they are holding up against spills and water. Also, consider what happens when they encounter boiling water.

Do You Cook Often?

If you are preparing most of your meals and giving your kitchen countertop a heavy workout, you will want a material that is durable and easy to clean. You should opt for a non-porous material such as porcelain, stainless steel, glass, quartz, solid surface, laminate or resin. If you go for a solid surface or laminate, you should have trivets and hot pads handy for your pots and pans, since these materials cannot handle heat well.

Your Budget

The price of the material is important because you will need an option that can fit your budget. When you have a price in mind, you should consider a cost-effective material that is more similar to an expensive material. You can also choose to mix and match the countertop material, such as making the island different from the countertop.

Even if kitchen countertop spaces have different prices, they are going to last for years with proper care. Choosing an option that meets your budget could mean you are going to have money left to invest in other parts of your kitchen.

 

Do You Want Something Eco-Friendly?

Recycled materials are now being used to build kitchen countertops. Recycled glass countertops use about 90% of recycled material. Other solid ones are made from a high percentage of particle board, recycled material, and wood. There are attractive options with every recycled and repurposed material that is environmentally friendly. The glass needs little maintenance; the others are going to consume more time so they stay in shape.

Maintenance

Any type of kitchen countertop needs maintenance to keep its appearance, but maintenance requirements are different for each of them. Virtually, some countertops do not require any maintenance, while others need frequent maintenance. If you are too busy to regularly seal your countertop, choose something that is more low maintenance. If you can do countertop maintenance, you can opt for more high-maintenance materials. This will depend on how much time you can devote to maintaining your kitchen countertop.

 

You can contact quartz countertops Rockville if you want to replace your kitchen countertops.     

28

Dec

How to Start the Buying Process of Kitchen Countertops

When it comes to granite selection, there are more than 14,000 unique slabs you can choose from. There are a lot of different countertop materials that can make it challenging for you to decide. Even if it is easy to love the aesthetic, other factors such as budget and lifestyle are both considerations when you are decking out your kitchen.

Before you start renovating and contacting countertop replacement services, you need to understand how the buying process of countertops work. You need to make sure that everything is running smoothly and efficiently. Everyone wants you to have new countertops installed right away so you can begin to enjoy your new bathroom or kitchen. Read on to know more.

You Need to Establish a Budget

For a lot of people, their decisions depend on their budget. Countertops have a wide price range, from cheaper ones made of white quartz to gold marble.

If the countertop you have is only a small area, you might discover that you can afford a more expensive one than you might originally think. The only way for you to establish a proper budget is to quote it. You also need to remember that you must consider the price of the stone and labor costs.

Take Note of the Sink

Are you aware that the sink you choose for your kitchen or bathroom also affects the timeline of installation? For instance, you can opt for a top-mounted sink paired with any countertop, so it creates a seamless look.

Determine the Amount of Material You Need

After you get a new countertop for the kitchen or remodel a few rooms in your house, you need to have the proper estimate. And your fabricator would have to determine how many square feet the project is. Normally, a quick and simple sketch with measurements of the project would be enough.

Work Out the Details of the Project

Have you thought of the project details, or are you only browsing? Are the current cabinets strong enough to bear the stone’s heavy weight, or do they need a replacement? Do you know the countertop measurements? Do you want to install a backsplash?

With budgeting, you know the details and full scope of what you are hoping to achieve because this can help fabricators to better assist you and make recommendations. Averagely, 10% of your budget should be for countertops.

Decide on the Edge Details

With a countertop installation, you should take note of the edge detail. There are various edges that reflect a unique style to emphasize the design of your home; whether you want an ultra-modern kitchen or a traditional-looking one, there is an edge for you. Based on the material you choose, your fabricator can share different edge options with you which are common for the stone you chose – even the edge style that suits your personality.

Look for the Seller’s Warranty

No matter what countertop material you want to buy, you should ask about the warranty. Similarly to this, you should always have your countertops installed by professionals. Sometimes, the manufacturer will not give a warranty if a different service installs it.

Height

The average height of a countertop is 36 inches, but if you are thinking of having a kitchen island-cum-bar countertop, you need to increase it to 42 inches. Ergonomic basics imply that kitchens need to be designed to achieve tasks in an efficient way, including height. Those that have limited mobility might decrease their countertop height.

You can contact granite countertop installers Rockville anytime once you are ready.

12

Dec

What You Need to Know About Countertop Replacement

Even if countertop replacement can be challenging, it increases the value of your home. You can spend time researching all the countertops before you start to remodel your kitchen. By reading this guide, you are going to learn about different types of countertop materials, and how you can choose the right kitchen countertop.

You can go for quartz kitchen countertops or other natural stone countertops. Pricing will also dictate the quality and maintenance. The low-end countertops are for high-traffic use but they are less appealing with shorter lifespans.

The high-end countertops are made using attractive materials, but they need more maintenance, while some require certain cleaning materials. Find out more about it now.

The Existing Material

High-definition laminate countertops or solid ones can easily screw together in place, so they can be changed easily, especially if you just want to resell your home.

Hard stones may fall prey to cracking or pitting. So, even if it is not the easiest countertop to take out, you might want to replace the damaged stone instead of repairing it. This way, you can also enjoy having a newly installed countertop that will last even longer.

Hard Surface

These countertops are cutting-edge. It is originally created to replicate how the stone looks, and these countertops are made using resin and acrylics to create a nice surface.

They sit between laminates and real stones in the price range. This is problematic because they have unique vulnerabilities. The biggest one is that they will take heat damage from the pots and pans.

They are very easy to repair and someone with a few friends to help carry countertops might probably install them.

Warranty Protection

Most manufacturers of countertops have a warranty, which ensures that your product has no factory defects.

The most crucial warranty to check into is the warranty of fabricators. This warranty will cover countertop installation, which includes seams and sinks.

Seams can break because of the house settling, cabinets improperly installed, or the sink pulling apart from your countertop.

Plumbing

You should assume that you are replacing a tile countertop using a solid surface, like stone or an engineered composite surface like Silestone. Even if the cabinets might be in place, the sink almost always should be replaced. The only exception is when the sink is mounted under the existing stone countertop.

Replace the Cabinets

If you are going to tip out all the countertops, you might want to consider replacing the cabinets as well.

You can match new countertop cabinets instead of trying to match countertops to current labels. The majority of countertops are attached to cabinets, making them hard to detach.

You should also risk damaging countertops if you need to replace countertops as well.

Old Appliances

You should consider how your old appliances are going to blend with the new countertop. You should think of it like wearing a new outfit together with a pair of shoes. Sometimes, they can look unpleasant.

However, if appliances are new and in excellent shape, do not worry, even if you own a cooktop instead of a freestanding range. A cooktop is normally mounted on the surface and can be removed easily before you reset it in the same location. You can assume that the base cabinet is the same, which assumes the base cabinet is the same or there is no change in the size.

Structural or Smoke Damage

A kitchen fire that has caused smoke or structural damage to countertops will generally result in having to replace them.

If you need a quartz countertop installer Potomac, you can call them anytime.

31

Mar

Water On Granite Countertops: Can You Leave Water On Granite Countertops?

If you are asking, can you leave water on granite countertops? Yes, you can, but it comes with repercussions.

If your countertops are properly sealed, you can get away with having water on the surfaces for some time, as the countertops won’t absorb water, but when you leave the water on the surfaces for a long time, there is the risk of it getting to the deeper layers of the countertops and staining them.

The situation is worse when you have hard water on your premises as the hard water leaves a white, filmy residue that is hard to remove.

What should you do about water stains?

To restore your countertops, you need to remove the water stains. How you go about it depends on the type of stains you have. To help you out, here are ways to remove these stains:

Removing light stains on a daily basis

You need to use a mild detergent and water on a sponge to remove these stains. If you have the budget, use a commercial cleaning product designed specially for granite cleaning.

When buying the commercial cleaner, ensure that it’s suitable for granite and it’s not acidic, as this can damage the sealant and stone.

Buying the best sealer is one thing and an entire animal using it. To be on the safe side and get perfect results, use the product as per the directions given by the manufacturer.

To have an easy time, clean the stains as soon as you notice them, which means less work on your part.

Light hard water stains

Have you noticed light spots around your sink or basin? These are light hard water stains, and you should move with haste and remove them. For the best outcome, remove them using a mild detergent and brush them with soft bristles. You can also use a toothbrush.

To lift the mineral deposits, put a cleanser on the stain, then gently scrub it with a brush. Once you are done, rinse it off with clean water and dry it with a towel.

You can also use a designated cleaning agent and let it sit on the stain for about 30 minutes to loosen the minerals. After this, scrub the surfaces gently with a soft brush and rinse it dry once the stain is gone.

Slightly stubborn hard water stains.

If the detergent and brush aren’t removing the water stains, use a home remedy such as baking soda. Start with creating a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water until you form a paste. You should then apply the paste to the hard water stain then gently scrub it with a soft bristle brush, then once you are done, rinse the fresh water and dry with a towel.

Removing water rings around the base of your faucet

If you have got hard water running through your system, you will sometimes have water rings around the base. These rings are often hard to remove, so you need to use tough removal products, often plastic scraper or razor blade.

To remove the water ring using a plastic putty knife, ensure that the edge is flat against your granite surface. You should then remove the mineral deposits by pushing the blade against them by applying gentle pressure.

If doing it correctly, the buildup should start flaking off, and you should wipe it off with a sponge, rinse it with clean water, and dry it with a towel.

If you try using the putty knife, but it doesn’t remove the deposits, use a sharp, clean razor blade. Keep the razor blade level with the granite surface, then slowly and gently loosen the mineral deposits.

Of course, take care not to cut your fingers or the granite surface as you are doing the cleaning.

There you have it

You can leave water on your countertops, but it will come with repercussions. To prevent the stains from resulting, move with haste and remove the water as soon as you notice it.

To reduce the absorption rate of the countertops, work with your granite contractor Rockville and install a high-quality sealant on the surface of the stone.

17

Jan

Do You Need Trivets On Granite?

If you are asking, do you need trivets on granite, you must have installed granite countertops in your kitchen, and you are wondering whether you should protect them using a trivet, right?

You place trivets between the countertop and the hot pan to protect the surfaces from getting burned. And yes, you need trivets on granite.

The cool thing is that trivets do more than protect the counters from burn marks—they also protect you from having broken baking dishes or a cracked countertop due to thermal shock.

Overall, having a trivet in place reduces the chances of damaging your valuable items, so it’s wise always to have them in place.

But aren’t granite countertops heat resistant?

Yes, granite countertops are heat resistant, and this is one of the primary reasons they are heavily used in the kitchen, but they aren’t heatproof.

This means that while you might not experience any damage on the countertops when you place hot pans on them for the first few times, when you repeatedly do it, you risk causing permanent damage to the surfaces.

What are other granite best practices?

Besides having a trivet or hot pad on your countertops to protect them from damage, there are plenty of other best practices that ensure your countertops retain their good looks for a long time. Some of these best practices include:

Clean the countertops regularly

There is no way your countertops will look good if you don’t clean them regularly, is there? Make it a habit to clean your surfaces at least once every day.

The cool thing is that cleaning the countertops is easy as all you need is soap and water. Spray some soapy water on your countertops, then wipe it with a clean piece of cloth, and you are good to go.

Regardless of how dirty your countertops are, don’t clean them with ammonia, bleach, degreasers, glass cleaner, and other abrasive products as they reduce the effectiveness of the granite sealer, leaving your countertops vulnerable to stains. To avoid damage and keep your countertops looking good for a long time, stick to cleaning them with soap and water.

When choosing the soap type, avoid dish soap as its repeated use causes a soapy build-up that dulls the shine of your surfaces, leaving them ugly and uninviting. For the best outcome, use soap designed to clean granite surfaces.

Seal the countertops regularly

As much as they are tough, granite counters are porous. This means they have pores on them that increase their chances of staining should spills happen. You should seal the countertops with countertop sealing products to seal these pores.

There are plenty of products in the market, but not all are right for your countertops. Research and find one designed for your countertops.

You should do the sealing at the time of installation then once a year thereafter. You can do the sealing work yourself or hire a professional to help you out.

For the best outcome, it’s always wise to have a professional do it.

Clean spills as soon as they happen

As you are preparing the meals, accidents are bound to happen. For example, coffee, soda, citrus juice, tomato sauce, or even water will spill on your surfaces. Even if you have sealed the countertops, the liquids can find their way under your countertops and cause hard-to-remove stains, when you allow them to stand there for a long time.

To avoid this, make it a habit to clean spills from your countertops as soon as they happen.

Use cutting boards

When you are chopping meat, fruits, or vegetables, it’s tempting to want to chop directly on your countertops due to how tough they look, but don’t. This is because you will scratch the countertops, which gives the surfaces a cheap, dull look.

To keep your countertops scratch-free, always use a chopping/cutting board to protect both your countertops and knives.

Granite installers Rockville also recommend you keep off hard objects such as rings and bottles as they can scratch or even dent the countertops, and you don’t want this, do you?

 Yes, you need trivets on your countertops.

To keep your countertops in pristine shape, you need trivets. There are no right or wrong trivets. As long as the units provide you with the protection you need, you are good to go.

20

Dec

Can You Paint Granite Countertops?

If your countertops are old or you don’t like their current look, instead of removing them, one of the ways to improve their look is to paint them. So to answer your question, can you paint granite countertops? Yes, you can do it.

To get the most from painting your countertops, you need to do several things that include:

Properly prepare the surface

There is no way the paint will properly adhere to the surface if you don’t properly prepare it. For the paint to adhere properly, you need to rough up the surface by sanding it. The surface also needs to be clean, so after sanding the area, you should clean it so no dust or dirt particles might make their way into the paint, primer, or sealer during the project.

Apply the right primer

For the paint to adhere well without chipping or rubbing off, you should apply the right primer. If this is the first time doing it, take your time to find the right primer for your surfaces. You can apply the primer by yourself, but let it be done by an experienced professional who knows what they are doing for the best outcome.

Choose the right color scheme and paint.

There is no way your countertops will look good if you choose the wrong color scheme or use the wrong paint, so you should be cautious when making your choice.

As a rule of thumb, choose a paint color that goes along with the rest of the house. For example, if you are going for the marble look or any other color palette, choose multiple colors to complete the design.

If you have a small room, go for lighter colors to give the impression of space. And if you are one of the lucky people and have a large room, there is no harm in going for darker colors that will absorb light and make the room look and feel smaller and cozy.

If you aren’t sure about the right color or color combinations to go with, get the input of a professional.

When it comes to the type of paint, you should go for epoxy, latex, or acrylic that is known to be durable.

The best paint type to choose is acrylic latex paint that holds up well against heat and water, so you are sure that it will last for a long time when you apply it.

Don’t rush

When many homeowners decide to paint their countertops, they rush to find granite colors, and paints. While this is good as it gets you into doing rather than pondering, it often results in more mistakes.

To avoid mistakes, take your time and fully understand what you need before beginning your project. It’s always wise to consult a professional so that you understand your project better and find out whether you can handle it by yourself or you have to hire an expert.

For the best outcome, be patient throughout the countertop painting process. Carefully sand the surfaces, patiently prime them, paint them with precision, and you will have the surfaces of your dreams.

Seal the surfaces

After painting the surfaces and giving them enough time to dry, the next thing you should do is seal them. The purpose of sealing the countertops is to lock in the paint and protect the beautiful work underneath.

Like the paint and other materials, you used before, ensure that you use a high-quality primer that will last for a long time and give your surfaces the top-notch protection they deserve.

While there are many sealers you can apply, the best to go for is the masonry sealer that works the best on granite and other natural stones.

You can apply the sealer yourself or ask a granite contractor Rockville to help out. When making the application, you can use a roller or paintbrush.

Once you are done with sealing, give the countertops at least 24 hours to completely dry before placing items on them.

30

Sep

Do Granite Countertops Chip Easily?

If you are wondering, do granite countertops chip easily? No, they don’t. Granite is one of the toughest countertop materials in the market, and as long as you install counters that are thick enough and you take good care of them, you don’t have to worry about them chipping.

While the countertops are tough, they will chip when you exact a lot of pressure on them. For example, if you sit or hit them. They will also chip if you place a weighty material on the edges.

What should you do when you have a chip on your countertops?

The logical thing to do is to fix the chip to prevent your countertops from staining or giving your surfaces an ugly look. While any chip on granite can be fixed, you should note that there is no way the granite surface will look as it used before.

You can fix the chip by yourself if you have the skills, but let a professional handle it for the best outcome.

When you contact a professional, they will come to your home and fill the spot with Epoxy. The unfortunate thing is that while Epoxy makes the surface flat and even, it doesn’t look exactly as granite you are replacing.

Epoxy’s sheen is different from granite, and it doesn’t match the granite pattern. This means that anyone can easily tell that you fixed the countertop.

Since there is no way to fix the countertop and it retains its original look, if the chip is small or in a hidden corner, you are better off leaving it the way it is.

How do you prevent chips on your granite countertop?

There are plenty of tricks you can use to prevent the chips from coming about in the first place. These tricks include:

Seal the countertop

Most homeowners seal their granite countertops to prevent stains from coming about. Sealing the countertops not only prevents stains, but also prevents chipping of the surfaces.

To protect your surfaces, seal the countertops with a quality sealer. Apply the sealer in layers a few times a year.

If you aren’t sure when to do the sealing, do a water test. Here you pour ¼ cup of water on the countertop surface and make a note of the time you placed the water on the surfaces.

If it takes more than 30 minutes, and the surface hasn’t darkened, the sealant is still in good shape, and you don’t need to reapply it. On the other hand, if the surface darkens, it’s time to apply a sealant. If the water gets absorbed immediately, apply several layers of the sealant.

Clean the countertops

You might wonder how cleaning the countertops will protect them from damage, but it comes in handy. When the countertops are clean, you not only have an easy time noticing the damage on the surfaces, but you also get rid of items that could lead to etching and staining.

While there are many cleaners in the market, few are right for you. As a rule of thumb, use a quality cleaner that will clean and shine the granite while offering a protective layer.

For the best results, ensure that the cleaner you go with is specially designed for granite counters. To be even sure that the cleaner isn’t causing any damage to your counters, go for one recommended for your specific color and brand.

Make use of bendable trivets.

Instead of placing your hot pots and pans directly on the countertops, place them on trivets, and as a consequence, you protect your surfaces. For peace of mind, make a habit of placing your pots on the heating pads and trivets at all times—regardless of whether they are hot or cold.

The reason for this is because some cold pots and pans might be having a vinegar base, and when you place them on the countertops, they leave the vinegar on the countertops. When the temperatures change, the vinegar begins to react with the sealant, which exposes your surfaces to stains and other forms of damage.

So, do granite countertops chip easily?

As mentioned, granite is tough and doesn’t chip easily. While this is the case, ensure that your countertops are installed by experienced granite installers Rockville. This way, you are sure the contractor won’t install countertops with a large edge that easily chips.

24

Sep

Can You Mess Up Granite Countertops?

Due to its tough nature, many homeowners have the impression that granite is indestructible. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

Can you mess up granite countertops? Yes, you can do it. Some of the ways you can mess your countertops include:

Cleaning the countertops with the wrong materials

To keep the countertop surfaces smooth and bacteria-free, you have to clean them regularly, but you need to use the right cleaning products as using the wrong ones will mess them up.

As a rule of thumb, never use these products to clean your granite:

  • Glass cleaner
  • Ammonia
  • Vinegar
  • Bleach
  • Generic cleaning supplies with strong acids and alkalis
  • Bathtub, bathroom, and tile cleaners

The reason for this is because the acidic and abrasive ingredients in many household cleaners will eat away at your countertop’s sealant, making it more susceptible to staining and extensive damage.

To keep your countertops clean with as minor damage as possible, clean the countertops using a soft washcloth, warm water, and mild soap.

Regardless of how clean you want the countertops, don’t use abrasive products.

Having poor food preparation practices

Did you know how you prepare the food can mess up your countertops? Due to the perception that granite is tough, some homeowners chop their onions, tomatoes, and even meat directly on the granite surfaces. This is wrong as it leaves large scratches on the surfaces giving your countertops a cheap, unkempt look.

To protect your countertops, always have a cutting board in a place where you do your cutting. Regardless of how minor the cutting you are doing, do it on a cutting board.

On the same breath, don’t place a hot pot or pan directly on the countertops as they will burn the surfaces leaving ugly stains that force you to replace the countertops. You might get away with placing the hot pots and pans directly on the surfaces, but you will be in trouble when you repeatedly do it.

Always let the pans and pots cool on the even and only place them on the countertops when they are fully cold and harmless to the countertop surfaces. The same thing applies to hot plates and cups.

If you have to have them on hot surfaces, place them on hot pads and trivets.

When preparing meat, don’t leave it sitting directly on the countertops. This is because it will leave a mess, and if you don’t clean it early enough, it will stain the surfaces.

Meat also allows bacteria to work their way into the countertops and, over time, get into other foods, which can lead to food spoilage and even food poisoning when you take the food.

Being careless with what you place on the countertops

Granite countertops can handle plenty of items, but how you place them goes a long way towards determining how long the countertops last. Placing uncovered lotions, cooking oils, bottled liquids, and other materials will, over time, leave a layer of grease and oil on the countertops.

While the layer won’t erode the sealant, the oil will seep through it and stain the countertops, forcing you to replace the countertop.

Ensure that the oils and greases you place on the surfaces are fully covered to prevent this from happening. You will even be better off if you can keep the bottles in the cupboards under the countertops. You can also use a tray and keep the bottles in an elevated area.

Standing and sitting on the countertops.

Granite is tough, and due to this, many homeowners stand on their surfaces when reaching the top shelf or sit on them when preparing their meals. While the countertops can withstand the pressure, repeatedly exposing the countertops to a lot of weight can cause the slab to crack or split, and you don’t want this to happen, do you?

To protect your surfaces and maintain the sanity of your countertops for as long as possible, don’t sit or stand on your countertops. If you have to reach the top floor, granite countertop installers Rockville recommend using a ladder or stool.

Always have a chair in the kitchen for people to sit on instead of sitting on the countertops.

16

Sep

Do Granite Countertops Need Special Care?

Granite countertops are one of the most popular countertop materials in the market. Due to their popularity and high-end perception, you might have the impression that they require specialized care.

Do granite countertops need special care? Absolutely not. In fact, they are one of the easiest countertops to maintain.

To keep your counters in top shape, you need to:

Seal them

Granite is porous, meaning that when you pour water and other liquids on it, the water will get into the inner layers, where it puts the countertops at the risk of staining.

To protect your countertops, you should seal them the first thing after installing them.

If you have a busy kitchen, it’s common for the sealant to wear off after a few months or a year, so it’s wise that you test the countertops and confirm that they are ready for resealing.

How do you do it? One of the most effective tests you can do is the water absorption test. Here you pour water on the countertops and let the puddle stay there for at least 10 minutes. If the water gets absorbed and the countertop turns a shade dark, the sealer has most likely worn off, and it’s time to reapply it.

Whether sealing or resealing the countertops, ensure that you use a high-quality sealant that will provide your countertops with the protection they need and at the same time last for a long time.

Clean the countertops daily

The last thing you want are countertops caked with dust and debris. Such countertops are not only unpleasant to look at, but they also tend to be hygienic, which puts you at the risk of suffering from a myriad of diseases.

To clean the countertops, you need a lint-free cloth or paper towel and water. Remove all the dirt and debris on the countertops, then dry the surface with a clean cloth or paper towel.

You might be tempted to clean the surfaces with abrasive cleaners such as ammonia to get the perfect look, but don’t. These cleaners will destroy the protective sealant on the countertops, so you are forced to reseal the surfaces.

Get rid of spills as soon as they happen.

Spills are one of the biggest granite enemies, so you should remove them as soon as they happen. You might argue that the sealant will prevent the water from getting into the deeper layers, but this isn’t the case.

It’s true that the sealant will prevent the water from absorbing fast, but when you leave the liquids on the surfaces for too long, they will soon get to the inner layers and stain the countertops. You don’t want this, do you?

To ensure that it doesn’t happen, don’t take chances. Even if the sealant halts the liquids from getting absorbed, failing to wipe off the liquids will be as good as if you hadn’t sealed the countertops in the first place so, when a spill happens, move with haste and remove it.

Protect the surfaces from heat

Like with many other countertop materials, heat will damage your granite surfaces, so you should protect them as much as possible.

One of the things you should do is to never place hot pots and pans directly on the countertops. This is because hot cooking items give the countertops ugly stains that you have to replace them.

To protect the surfaces, always have heat pads and trivets in place at all times. Even with these in place, let the pot cool for a little bit before placing it on the countertops.

Besides protecting your countertops from heat, you also should protect them from knife scratches. This calls for you to never cut anything directly on the countertops. Instead, use a cutting board.

Install the countertops properly

You can put all the maintenance measures in place, but it’s all useless if you haven’t properly installed the countertops. So, the first thing you should do is have the countertops expertly installed by experienced and certified granite contractors Rockville.

When hiring the contractors, take your time and ensure that the contractor has installed similar countertops before and know what they are doing.

31

Aug

Do You Need Hot Pads On Granite?

If you are wondering, do you need hot pads on granite? You must be new with granite countertops, and you are wondering whether they need any form of protection, right?

The answer is yes, you need to place hot pads on granite to protect the surfaces from damage.

It might sound weird that you need to protect granite while it’s one of the toughest materials in the market, but the truth is that while granite is tough, it’s not heatproof. This means that when you repeatedly place hot items on it, it’s a matter of time before you completely damage it.

To prevent this from happening, you need to use hot pads or trivets at all times. If you don’t have them, let the food cool in the oven, then bring it down once it has completely cooled down and is harmless to the countertops.

What other things do you need when using granite?

Besides the hot pads and trivets, there are plenty of other things you need to have when using granite. They include:

Sealer

Although granite surfaces are tough, they are porous. This means that when water and other liquids spill on the surfaces, if you don’t remove them early enough, they sink to the inner layers and stain your countertops. You don’t want this, do you?

To prevent the staining from coming about, always seal your countertops. You should do the sealing when you are installing the countertops then at least once a year thereafter.

The purpose of the sealer is to prevent the liquids from moving too fast into the inner layers, and as a consequence, you have enough time to wipe them down.

You should note that even if you have sealed your countertops, you should still move with haste and remove the spills because if you delay, the liquids will still get to the inner layers and stain your expensive countertops.

Cutting block

The other thing you need when you are working with granite is a cutting block. Again, even if the countertops appear tough, they aren’t damage-proof. If you repeatedly cut your vegetables and onions directly on the countertops, you will leave knife marks on them, which, as you can guess, will make your countertops ugly, forcing you to replace them so that you can have the countertops of your dreams.

The right thing to do is to always have a cutting board on the countertops at all times—this is where you should cut your vegetables and onions. At no time should you cut directly on the countertops, as you will damage them.

Ladder or stool

The other thing you should have with you as a granite owner is a ladder or stool. What do most homeowners do when reaching for the top shelf? They step on the countertops. Others sit on the countertops as they are preparing the meals. This is wrong.

Yes, granite counters are tough, but when you put a lot of pressure on them, they are bound to snap and break. You don’t want this to happen to your expensive countertops, do you?

To ensure that it doesn’t happen, have a stool in the kitchen to sit on as you wait for the meals to cook. When you want to reach the top shelf or change the bulb, don’t step on the countertops—have a ladder in place instead.

Water and soap

To keep the countertops looking great, you should have water and soap to do the cleaning. Some homeowners think that they should use tough cleaning agents such as ammonia and others for the best-looking countertops, but they shouldn’t.

While these cleaners are great, they are tough on your countertops, so they end up damaging them when you repeatedly use them.

Granite counters are one of the easiest countertops to maintain, and all you need to do is clean them with soap and water.

Stains are the biggest enemies of the countertops, so you should strive to keep them as much as possible. Granite installers Montgomery County MD recommend you avoid using liquids on the countertops as much as possible.

When spills happen, move with haste and get rid of them before they get to the deeper levels and stain the countertops.