Tips for Your Granite Countertops
Nothing makes a kitchen look as beautiful or distinguished as granite countertops. They come in a number of different colors and styles, but they all serve to make a kitchen appear of the highest quality. Of course, part of owning granite countertops means worrying about their care and upkeep. Here are some easy tips you can use to ensure these beautiful countertops keep looking amazing for years to come.
Don’t Let Kids Play or Roughhouse on Them
This is really first and foremost. If you don’t allow any bad habits in your kitchen, your granite countertops will have a much easier time of surviving.
For example, don’t let kids sit or stand on them. Depending on their ages, this may be extremely tempting. Explain to them what it will do to their allowance (and, possibly, their college fund) if they should damage those beautiful countertops.
Unlike the laminate ones, granite countertops don’t have plywood backing and, though they’re very hard, they lack flexibility. Too much weight concentrated over one area is enough to cause a crack.
Always Use Coasters
Fortunately, if you forget to do this from time to time, it’s not the end of the world. Granite is much stronger than marble and doesn’t etch. Still, it’s a good habit and practicing it could someday prevent a harmful mistake.
Blot Spills Right Away
Spills are going to happen. It’s the kitchen, after all, and while you can keep children from climbing on your granite countertops, it’s unreasonable to attempt a ban on any spills from ever happening.
Cooking oils and acidic substances like coffee, soda, wine fruit juice and tomato sauce could potentially leave a stain if left sitting for too long. Make sure you blot them up immediately.
Use a Stone Cleaner
Don’t just buy any name brand cleaner from the department store and start spraying your granite countertops down. Instead, you need to use a natural stone cleaner that has been specially formulated for your granite countertops. Not only will it get rid of any messes, it will protect your sealer too.
That being said, if it’s just a quick cleanup, feel free to use hot water. Dish soap isn’t going to cause serious problems, but it shouldn’t be something you use repeatedly. The problem is that it builds up – even when you wash it off – and will eventually ruin your countertop’s luster.
Under no circumstances should you use ammonia, vinegar, orange or lemon cleaners. Bleach is off limits too.
Use a Sponge or Soft Cloth for Cleaning
Using the right type of cleaner is a great start, but we also recommend you pick a sponge or soft cloth for this use and this use only. Avoid using your sponge or cloth for cleaning other parts of the kitchen as you will risk putting the wrong types of chemicals on your countertops.
As you can see, this isn’t too challenging of a list to stick to, especially when the upshot is that you get beautiful granite countertops in exchange.
- Published in Kitchens, Uncategorized
How to Choose the Perfect Countertops for Your Home
The kitchen is no longer a room that we keep hidden behind the scenes. In today’s homes, the kitchen is the center of the home. It is where our families spend much of their time and often where we entertain company. Today we expect our kitchens to be as beautiful as they are functional.
Popular choices of material for countertops today include stone (usually granite, although marble, soapstone and others are also used), solid surface (comprised of acrylic or polyester, engineered stone (a combination of quarts and acrylic), laminate, wood, ceramic tile and concrete.
If you are choosing new countertops for your kitchen, here are a few factors that you should take into consideration:
1. Appearance
Obviously you want your new countertops to look good and to complement the rest of your kitchen. It is important to balance the look that you want with other factors so that you are not disappointed with your choice of countertop materials.
For example, you may love the look of wood countertops, but not be keen on the maintenance that they require to prevent water damage. If you are not willing to provide the maintenance that your counters need, they won’t stay as beautiful as they are upon installation.
Fortunately, there are many countertop material options and it is often possible to find one that meets all of your needs plus provides you with the look that you want.
2. Durability
Most countertops will last for decades provided they are maintained properly. Granite, engineered stone and solid surface counters are the hardest surfaces and therefore the most indestructible. Other stone that can be used for countertops, such as marble or slate, is softer than granite and is more prone to staining or scratches.
Laminate and wood countertops are made of the softest materials and are the most prone to scratches and damage from hot objects.
3. Maintenance
Engineered stone, solid surface and laminate counters require the least amount of maintenance. Granite counters require less maintenance than other stone surfaces, but they may need to be resealed periodically to prevent staining.
Ceramic tiles may require extra care to prevent dirt from building up in the grout lines.
All other countertop surfaces require frequent sealing to prevent water damage, warping, staining, scratches or chips.
4. Cost
The cost of a new countertop can vary greatly depending on the type of material used, different finishes and cuts that are required. Granite counters range in price based on the popularity or scarcity of the particular granite.
Remember to consider the cost of installation as well, as it will vary significantly for different countertops.
- Published in Kitchens