29

Nov

How Much Weight Can You Put On Granite Countertops?

If you are asking, how much weight can you put on granite countertops? You must be thinking about standing or sitting on your countertops and unsure whether your countertops will take the weight, right?

Granite is fairly thick, often at the very least ¾ of an inch. If the weight is evenly distributed over a large area, the countertops can hold up to 1000 pounds.

If you are planning on standing on the countertops either to change the lights or reach to the top shelf, you most likely won’t have your weight evenly distributed, which increases the chances of damaging the countertops, especially if your countertops have a weak point or small fissures.

While granite is tough and can handle a lot of weight, granite technicians highly discourage sitting or standing on them. If you have to stand or sit on the countertops, place sturdy plywood on the counters where you will now stand or sit on.

The plywood will help distribute the weight over a large area reducing the chances of caving in the countertops with your weight. To avoid splinters, wear shoes.

Besides sitting or standing on the countertops, there are plenty of other things you should avoid doing to maintain your countertops in top shape. They include:

Placing kids in the sink

If you have a double sink, it might seem cute having your little one there as you are cleaning the dishes but don’t do it. Sinks are often the countertops’ weakest areas, and having your three or four-year-old there you will be damaging your precious countertops.

If you enjoy cleaning the dishes or preparing your meals with the kids in the kitchen, bring them seats to sit on the kitchen island as you go about your duties.

Allowing a lot of sun in the kitchen

Every homeowner wants a well-lit kitchen, and there is nothing wrong with this, but allowing a lot of direct sunlight in the kitchen can cause your countertops to fade. Sunlight can also fade some of the sealants you used on your countertops, giving your surfaces a cheap look.

To avoid this, pull down the shades during the peak daylight hours.

Preparing food in the same area

Do you prepare food in the same spot all the time? Over time, the area suffers from etches, scratches, and other signs of wear and tear.

It’s normal to have a favorite food preparation area, but don’t be too attached to it.

Now and then, prepare your food in different areas of the counter. Who knows, you might even discover a new favorite area you never knew existed?

Placing hot pots and pans on the countertop

Granite is a natural stone, so it has a tough look but don’t fall for it. Placing a hot pan directly on it will cause cracking and discoloration. In some cases, you destroy the granite slab to the extent you have to replace it.

To keep your surfaces in good condition, make it a habit to use potholders and trivets to serve as barriers to avoid burning the surfaces.

Leaning on the edges

What happens when you are preparing your meals with your better half in the kitchen? If there are no chairs in the room, they often lean on the edges, isn’t it? This is wrong as, just like standing or sitting, you put extra pressure on the counters, increasing their chances of getting damaged especially if there are fault lines.

As you should avoid sitting, you should definitely avoid opening a beer bottle on the counters.

Dicing directly on the countertops

The same way homeowners think they can place hot items on the countertops and get away with it is the same way they think they can chop directly on the granite kitchen countertops Rockville and cause no harm.

Oh boy, how wrong are they? When you cut directly on the surfaces, you cause fine scratches that can disrupt the waterproof sealant on the countertops, making them more susceptible to damage.

To maintain your countertops in top condition, always use a cutting board whenever you are chopping, slicing, or dicing.

07

Nov

Granite Installers: 6 Factors To Consider When Installing Granite Countertops

The kitchen and bathroom countertops you install in your home significantly affect the look of the room. It also dramatically affects the resale value of the house.

Granite countertops remain the go-to countertop materials for many people as they are durable, easy to maintain, and give the house an elegant look.

Installing the countertops isn’t simply hiring the nearest granite installers. You need to consider plenty of factors for you to choose the right countertop pieces for your surfaces:

Think about the thickness of the countertops

Granite slabs come in three thicknesses: three-quarter inch, one and one-half inch, and one and one-quarter inch.

While it’s up to you to choose the slab size that is right for your home, avoid the one, and one-half inch as attaching the two slabs will bring about plenty of problems in the long run.

Due to the large size of the countertops, glue begins to deteriorate, which creates gaps in the seams along the horizontal edges of the countertops.

The large slabs also easily get damaged, forcing you to keep on repairing the countertops. Sometimes the damage is so extensive that you have to replace the countertops.

Pay attention to the color of the countertops

Granite comes in all types of colors. The color you choose depends on your activities. If your countertops are active and you often use them, go with darker colors as they are less likely to stain.

On the other hand, if you rarely use your countertops, go with lighter colors with a complex pattern. If you have kids and you are always worried about spills, go with countertop surfaces that have a dark color with less of a pattern.

Think about how the countertops will look after installation

Many homeowners make the mistake of buying countertops that look good in the store. While the slabs are pleasant to look at there, they often don’t give your surfaces a good look when you install them.

This is because the floor, the cabinets, and other areas of your kitchen don’t match the countertops.

Before you decide to buy the countertops, first take samples with you to your home. Place them on the surfaces and see how they blend with the rest of the kitchen. For you to have countertop surfaces you will be proud of, try out several slabs and settle on the ones that give your countertops the best look.

Think about the sink

Did you know the style of the kitchen sink has a significant impact on how the countertops look? For a crispy, tidy look, go with an under-mount sink style. Avoid a top-mounted sink as it not only gives your surfaces an ugly, confused look, it also collects bacteria around the visible edges.

For you to install a sink of the right design and size, work with an experienced professional.

Think about the edges of the countertops

The edges affect the overall look of the countertops. So you should be cautious of the ones you go for. Beveled or flat edges look great with a house with modern cabinets. If the cabinets have a traditional design, go with a bullnose edge.

Do you have small children in the house? They are more likely to bump their heads on the edges of granite, so go with round corners.

The contractor you hire will go a long way into helping you choose the right edge design for your countertops.

Pay attention to the number of seams

For the contractors to tightly bind the countertops, they have to use seams.  Granite countertops don’t come cheap, so you don’t want countertop surfaces that look cheap.

According to granite technicians, there is nothing that can give your surfaces a cheap look as many improperly installed seams. For you to reduce the number of seams on the countertops, work with the right contractor.

You also should work with a countertop contractor Rockville who is highly experienced at hiding the seams. You don’t want a professional that lets everyone know where the seams are.

Before you decide to work with a given contractor, ask him/her for photos of previous work. Carefully go through the pictures and find out whether you can automatically tell where the seams are.