25

Feb

Countertops: What to Consider When Choosing Them

When looking for countertops for your kitchen or bathroom, you shouldn’t go blindly at it—you need to consider several factors to buy the right ones. Which are these factors to consider? Here they are:

Countertop material

If you have been researching countertops, you must have realized that they come in different materials ideal for various applications. The common materials are:

Solid surface: These materials are often artificially modified, but they contain some natural stone. Due to this combination, the countertops are durable and more affordable hence the perfect units to go for when operating on a tight budget.

The most popular countertops under this category are quartz countertops. Others are Corian, Avonite, polyester, acrylic, or a mix of the two.

Natural stone: As the name suggests, these are made from natural stone. Other than some cutting and shining, the countertops are unmodified. The most popular countertops under this category are: slate, soapstone, marble, and granite.

Since the pieces are unmodified and natural, they are often costly.

Wood: Wooden countertops are affordable, durable, and highly hygienic. Most wooden countertops are made from cherry, walnut, teak, marble, and oak.

Concrete: Although not as popular as the above countertops, concrete is beautiful when properly installed and durable when you take good care of it. When installing it, remember to give it time to cure for a couple of weeks before sealing it.

The most common problem with the countertop is cracking. To reduce the cracking, work with experienced contractors that know what they are doing. They will advise you on the best cement to use, the strengthening materials, and any other important fact.

Usage

How will you be using the countertops? This is important as different countertops are ideal for various applications. For example, if you love cooking and spend most of your time in the kitchen, you need a durable but easy-to-maintain countertop that can withstand abuse.

Do you love baking? Marble countertops are the best to go for.

If you aren’t sure about the right countertops to install, install two countertop materials in different areas of your house. For example, you can install granite countertops in one area and butcher block counters in another.

This not only makes your countertops more functional and exciting, but also much cheaper, so you save yourself a lot of money.

Aesthetics

How will the countertops look in your kitchen or bathroom after installation? It’s important to consider this as you want your surfaces to be functional and attractive to the eye. Marble countertops are hailed as the epitome of luxury, so if you’re going to give your surfaces a high-end look, these are countertops to go for.

Do you want to give your counters a natural feel and look? Granite countertops are the best to go for.

Solid surface countertops give your surfaces a unique look if you aren’t keen on naturalizing your counters.

To install the right countertops that give the feel you want, get the input of a professional.

Ease of maintenance

You don’t want pieces that will be a hassle to keep in top shape, do you? Natural stone countertops are often high maintenance, as they need regular sealing. You also have to be ultra-cautious with the liquids in the kitchen or bathroom as they stain easily.

If you lead a busy life and don’t have time to dedicate to your countertops, go for quartz countertops that are easy to maintain.

Do you have a commercial kitchen? Stainless steel countertops are the best to go for.

Cost

The final but vital factor to consider is the cost of the countertop materials. As mentioned above, natural stone countertops such as marble and granite countertops Rockville are much more expensive than the other materials, making them the wrong choice if operating on a tight budget.

Different stores sell their countertops at different prices, and it’s up to you to research and find the one selling at affordable prices. To avoid paying more than you should, visit different stores and see how much they sell their units.

08

Nov

What Is A Cheaper Alternative To Granite Countertops?

Every homeowner dreams about installing granite in their homes. Unfortunately, the countertops don’t come cheap. If you have always wanted to install granite in your home, but the price is out of your reach, you must be wondering, what is a cheaper alternative to granite countertops, right? Well, there are many of them, with the common ones being:

Quartz

Also known as engineered stone, quartz is one of the most affordable alternatives you can go with. Contractors recommend it when you are looking to achieve simple luxury. The good thing about it is that it comes in different shades and colors, so you will find one that fits your style.

Quartz is also non-porous, meaning that it’s easy to clean and doesn’t stain easily.

Since the countertop is an engineered stone, you can modify it to a glossy or matte surface. And the presence of resin means you don’t need to keep sealing it, which makes it even easier to maintain.

While quartz is an excellent alternative to granite, it has its drawbacks. One of the drawbacks being that it’s easily damaged by heat. This means that if you place hot pots and pans on it, the countertop is bound to melt and burn, leaving a blackened indentation.

Marble countertops

Yes, some marble varieties are cheaper than granite. To avoid spending too much money on the countertops, avoid rare and exotic varieties.

The beauty of marble is that it has a timeless beauty, and when properly installed, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing countertops you can have. The countertop also comes in a variety of colors and veining patterns.

While it comes in a variety of inviting colors, it’s relatively soft and porous which means that it will chip and scratch easily when put under pressure and hard wear. The porosity also puts the stone at the risk of staining.

It will also absorb any foods, liquids, and cleaning chemicals that you put on it, making it difficult to clean.

Quartzite

If you want a countertop that looks like marble but is more durable and heat resistant, you should consider quartzite. Quartzite forms when sandstone shifts deeper into the earth’s mantle, raising the sandstone’s temperature and forcing it to crystallize.

The good thing is that, unlike marble, quartzite is exceptionally durable and doesn’t scratch easily. The countertop is also heat and stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about scratching or burning it.

While the countertop is great and might look like marble, it’s limited in the color area where it doesn’t have as many color varieties as marble.

Sintered stone

Sintered stone is engineered stone made from quartz and ceramic particles. The particles that make up sintered stone are treated with high pressure and heat to form a crystallized stone in the lab.

Sintered stone can be made from different materials, which gives it different color varieties and patterns.

With a hardened level of 7/10 on the Mohs hardness scale, sintered stone is one of the hardest and durable materials you can have. It’s even less porous, making it easy to maintain as you don’t have to worry about sealing it.

It’s heat resistant, so you can place hot pots and pans on it without worrying about causing cracks and damage.

While the stone is great, its made in the laboratory which makes it less environmentally friendly than natural stone materials.

Wood

Wooden countertops can be made from different materials such as oak, maple, cherry, bamboo, and walnut.

Since it’s soft and more forgiving, when you drop a glass on a wooden countertop, it will never break like it’s the case with granite.

While this softness is good, it can sometimes result in chips, cut marks, and cracks.

To keep your wooden countertops looking great, you need to treat them monthly with mineral oils. You also should seal the countertops to keep them clean and stain-free.

There you go

These are some of the best and cheapest granite alternatives. If you aren’t sure about the right one to go for, get the input of a professional. They will advise whether to go for wood or quartz countertops Potomac depending on the look you want to achieve and your budget.

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.

31

Jul

What Colors Of Granite Are There?

Are you looking to install granite countertops and are wondering what colors of granite are there? Well, there are many of them, with the most common ones being:

White granite

White granite countertops are probably the most common slab types. In fact, they are the first color that comes to most people’s minds when they think about granite.

Although the slabs are white, they aren’t smooth and plain white—they contain veins of other colors while some have a darker tone.

White granite slabs are mainly made up of white feldspar and creamy white quartz, with the most popular types being River white, Juprana Delicatus granite, Ivory Fantasy, Moon white, and Bianco Antico granite.

The beauty of white granite slabs is they can fit both antique and contemporary homes and business buildings. You only need to work with your contractor and find the best way to install them professionally.

Black granite slab

Although, they aren’t as popular as white slabs, most homeowners have embraced them, and now you will find them in more homes than before.

The countertops originate from gabbro, basal, norite, and diabase. The major mineral components being plagioclase and pyroxene.

When properly installed, the slabs provide an excellent and outstanding contrast with the light colors in the kitchen or bathroom. Since they are dark, they are best suited for larger kitchens and bathrooms. As a rule of thumb, avoid installing them in smaller rooms to make the room appear even smaller than it is.

Uba uba granite

They originated from Brazil, and compared to other types in the market, they contain plenty of gold, gray, and green specs that run randomly on the black background. As a result, you have shimmering countertops that you can’t stay away from.

Bianco Antico granite

If you are looking to give your countertops a strong and classic look, these are the countertops to go for. They feature a mixture of red and brown flecks and spots that give them one of a kind look.

When properly installed, the countertops have a soft white-ish gray color with pink and brown spots.

River white granite

This granite originates from India, and it features a white background flourished with red spots and veins of a dark gray color. It’s also common to find some countertops with a combination of blue, gray, and off-white flecks on the surface.

Overall, the countertops give your kitchen and bathroom surfaces a more vibrant white appearance.

Black galaxy granite

The slab’s rich black background is filled with fine grains of white and gold specks that give it a unique look. It’s also common to find some slabs with larger grains of these specks.

Although, you can pair galaxy granite countertops with almost any other color, they look their best when paired with light brown or beige, which gives the surfaces a classic look.

Black pearl granite

The most identifying feature of these countertops is the depth and smoother tone with fewer specks and flecks around the surface, giving the countertops a unique look.

If you have always wanted to install an all-around, rich, deep black tone in your kitchen or bathroom, this is the best one to go for.

Tan brown granite

If your cabinets are wooden and your furniture dark brown, this is the best slab color to go for.

These countertops have a rich and slightly dark brown tone with an almost uniform combination of burnt orange, black and red specks.

For the perfect match, paint your cabinets and other parts of the kitchen or bathroom tan brown. The tan-brown gives an excellent contrast that you will be proud of for years.

New Caledonia granite

This is a gray granite slab that has interchanging shades of dark and light gray tones. In some slabs, you will have streaks of black placed randomly around the countertop surface.

For the best look, install the countertops in the interior of the house or commercial building.

You should work with your granite installers Montgomery County MD and find the ideal colors to pair it with, to get the perfect look.

14

Feb

Do I Need Plywood under Granite Countertops?

If you are asking, do I need plywood under granite countertops? You must be thinking about installing granite in your home, but aren’t sure whether also budget for plywood, right?

Well, you need plywood if your granite slab is less than 3cm thick. You should note that you will still need support in certain situations, even if your countertops are more than 3cm thick. These situations include:

Over the dishwasher.

The dishwasher opening has an opening that goes completely unsupported since there is no cabinet for it to rest on. The plywood support will provide the granite counters with the support it needs.

Besides the support, it’s wise you ask the contractor to install mesh under the countertop at the dishwasher location for additional support.

Bartop overhang

The bar top overhang creates an unbalanced loading condition, so if someone puts weight on the edge of the countertop, it will rotate in the force’s direction. It’s for this reason that you will need additional support for the cantilevered portion of your granite.

Even if the contractor installs mesh under the cantilevered portion of your countertop, the support isn’t enough to provide you with the amazing support you are looking for. For maximum support, install plywood.

Why use plywood to support natural stone?

While it might seem silly to support a stone with wood, it actually makes sense. For once, plywood is durable, while granite is fragile, especially if the slab is thin. This means that the piece of plywood will provide you with the support you are looking for.

Plywood is also inexpensive compared to solid hardwoods. This means you can provide support to your countertops without breaking the bank.

If you were to use stones instead of plywood, you would have to use multiple stones to join the pieces together, which will leave unsightly seams on the countertops. On the other hand, installing plywood means you have a smooth and seamless countertop that you can be proud to show off.

Are there other granite countertop support options?

If you don’t like securing your countertops with plywood or you have no access to it, don’t worry as there are plenty of other options you can go with. These options include:

Corbels

A corbel is a support where the back attaches vertically to the cabinet or wall, and the top acts as the support where you can rest other objects on. Corbels are similar to L-shaped brackets, but they are made as solid 3D objects designed to be seen.

The cool thing is, unlike brackets, corbels are designed to be both aesthetically appealing and functional. Since they leave space for your legs, corbels are perfect supports for a bar top overhang.

Poles

Poles are as simple as they sound. They come straight up from the floor, providing support to the underside of the countertop. Poles make an excellent choice when you are planning to install a large overhang.

While poles are great, provide additional support by installing some subtop, such as plywood or wire mesh.

Brackets

Brackets are like corbels, but they are designed not to be seen. A good example of the hidden countertop bracket is the L-shaped bracket. Brackets work like corbels where you mount them vertically to the cabinets, having a space on top to support the counter.

After installation, there is nothing between the bracket’s top and back, making them almost invisible.

Another popular bracket is the knee wall bracket that is straight and often mounted horizontally into a knee wall. For those wondering what a knee wall is, it’s a short wall that doesn’t extend all the way from the floor to the ceiling.

During installation, you cut holes into the wood underneath where you are planning to install your countertops, then install the metal sheets straight into the wood to support the countertop overhang’s weight.

Work with a professional

Regardless of the type of support you are using on your countertops, ensure the installation is done by a professional granite contractor Rockville. The last thing you want is to hire a novice that botches your expensive countertops.

28

Dec

Can You Remove Granite Countertops and Reuse Them?

Imagine this. You have spent thousands of dollars renovating your house with premium granite counters then due to unforeseen circumstances, you have to move out of the house or sell it.

You can’t imagine moving to the new house without the seamless design, durability, ease of maintenance, and color patterns of granite.

Can you remove granite countertops and reuse them? You wonder. The simple answer is it’s most likely impossible as there are plenty of hurdles you have to go over for it to be a success. These hurdles include:

You have to match the kitchen space layout

Since you had already cut the slabs during installation, the only way you can use them in your new home is if they fit the footprint of your new kitchen cabinetry.

This means if in the old layout the granite had cutout around the wet bar area or around the sink area, for you to reuse your countertops in the new kitchen you should have the exact layout, which as you can guess is highly improbable.

Even if by miracle the old and new kitchen layouts match, you have problems if the new kitchen is larger than the old one.

In such a scenario you have to find matching granite pieces which can be difficult if the granite pattern and color is unique.

Even if you manage to get the piece, you will have a visible seam where you attach the additional slab. As you can guess this can significantly affect the look you are trying to achieve.

So to conclude, for you to successfully remove and reuse your kitchen countertop, the two houses should have similar cabinet layouts. The length and width of the countertop should fit the cabinet dimensions.

If you have excess granite, your contractor can trim it down, but if the granite is not enough, you have plenty of issues to solve.

High granite damage risk

Most homeowners install granite for its tough and indestructible nature, but you should know that granite is heavy and brittle.

This means it’s almost impossible to remove the countertops in one large slab as the risk of damage is high.

For you to safely remove the countertop, hire a professional to come with special tools, which as you might guess isn’t cheap.

You also have to involve several people to hold along the countertop’s length to avoid pressure points that might lead to cracking.

Even when you hire experienced contractors, most of them will require you to sign a contract that frees them from liability should the granite crack during removal. This is due to the high risk of damage that comes with removing the stone.

Before you decide to remove the granite, find out the type of granite you have. Granite can be weaker and fragile or it can be harder and stronger. Obviously, you should go for one that is harder and stronger as it will be easier to handle and move without risking a lot of damage.

You also should consider the thickness of the granite counter. It’s better to remove a thicker slab than a thinner one. To tell how thin your countertop is, check it from beneath the cabinet.

If there is plywood below the granite, then the countertop is thin and has high chances of cracking but if there is no plywood, the stone is thick and there are chances of removing it with no issues.

Work with an expert contractor

There are plenty of perks that come with removing and reusing granite counters. One is you don’t leave behind your precious countertops you spent a lot of money on.

Secondly, you don’t have to break the bank to purchase new countertops in your new home.

While this is great, as discussed above, it comes with plenty of challenges you have to be strategic when approaching them. To increase the chances of the process being successful, work with experienced granite contractors Rockville.

The contractors should have removed and reused other countertops in the past. When you hire the right ones, they will help you decide whether it’s wise to remove the countertops or not.

The contractors will also remove and reinstall the countertops if the stone is healthy enough for reuse.