Best Countertop Reviews Consumer Reports

View our ratings and reviews and browse our buying guide to find the best countertops. Get independent ratings & reviews, trusted reporting, plus valuable tools and services. Our tests revealed strengths and weaknesses among materials but not so much among manufacturers.

Countertops by usgranitemarble.com


Advice On Granite Countertop Edges From Nicolai Diamant | Duration 8 Minutes 46 Seconds Why not ask us to view your property and discuss the various options with you now. They will care for your home and complete the job with speed and precision. They will clean up when they are finished and take personal responsibility for your satisfaction.

Choosing Marble Bathroom Countertops Advice by countertopspecialty.com

You still need to learn how to clean marble properly (which is not hard) and once you do you’ll find it’s no big deal and you’ll have very few if any issues. Of course, you still want to use only products safe for cleaning marble. However, the material providers indicate that they rarely, if ever, sell marble for bath vanities. Marble can stain, but it usually occurs from neglect or inappropriate use like leaving a planter or bottle of oil or burning a candle directly on the surface. Etching is the main reason it is commonly thought that marble is porous and stains easy. There are just differences when considering marble cleaning and maintenance. Marble staining is actually not much an issue since marble is pretty dense. It happens no matter what type of finish (polished, honed, tumbled) is created on the marble countertop surface. On a honed surface etching still occurs, but it is less noticeable because a honed surface is more dull and therefore the dullness of etching doesn’t stand out so much.

Saving Money On Granite Countertops Granite Shorts Ep.22 Www.Marble.Com | Duration 6 Minutes 39 Seconds The common wisdom has traditionally been that marble countertops should not be installed in a kitchen (unless you were willing to let the tops etch and age without worry). Thus, consideration of surface finish of honed vs polished marble is generally not that important for a bathroom marble countertop unless it’s a heavily used bathroom, then it becomes more like a kitchen. So, if you prefer a polished finish , then that’s what you should go with especially in a bathroom. The degree of marble cleaning and maintenance for either surface is going to be essentially the same although you often do not have to seal a polished marble countertop. If you are careless and neglectful, then you’ll have some problems with marble bathroom countertops or say if it is primarily used by young kids. Not as common in the “pre-made” variety, but commonly used for bathroom countertops. But it really depends on what products your family typically uses in the bathroom and if they are prone to spilling often. We were told the unpolished it better and easier to care for, however, we really like the appearance of the polished stone. The advice you received about cleaning marble and surface finish is essentially true and/or good advice, however, there isn’t really a “best” marble countertop finish. The main consideration is etching , which is chemical corrosion of the marble by acidic food, drinks and harsh cleaning products (nearly all common/brand-name cleaners). Etching occurs on calcite-based stones like marble, travertine and limestone. Etching is most noticeable on a polished finish because etching creates dull spots that contrast sharply with the shiny surface. But even with a honed surface etch marks will show up and need to be restored if you want to maintain a somewhat newish surface.

Which Countertop Is Right For Your Home? by porch.com

Countertops are more than just a statement piece in your home. While there is an extensive variety of alternate materials, here are a few of the most popular options. It is long lasting, durable to heat and scratches, and when properly sealed, it’s easy to clean. Its resistance towards heat, makes it great to sustain both hot pans and curling irons! It is non-porous and is resistant to acidic material, holding up well against stains, bacteria and liquids such as lemon juice. Polishing it every so often is recommended for best conditions. It comes in a wide range of sizes, colors and materials (mainly ceramic or porcelain) of tiles that allow you to create a counter unique to you. Stainless steel also tends to easily show smudge marks and thumbprints, which would require more frequent cleanings if you’re the type of person who could find this bothersome. They are heat, stain, and scratch resistant while easily cleaned with just soap and water. Glass is more delicate than stone and if broken, will need to be replaced. If you are looking for a more eco-friendly option, you can also use reclaimed wood to give a rustic feel.

Smart Remodeling Tips Marble Or Quartz Countertops? | Duration 1 Minutes 43 Seconds They require diligent maintenance and frequent staining, as they are susceptible to moisture and heat. Her ideal style is merging natural elements with an industrial flare. You use them every day, in a variety of tasks, so it’s essential that they withstand wear and tear. When making your decision, consider the function and aesthetic requirements of your ideal countertop, and then evaluate the pros and cons of each material. It is vulnerable to chips and cracks, primarily on the edges, and is highly susceptible to citric acid, such as vinegar and lemon juice. Unlike granite, it is not 100% natural, but this allows it to be less porous and more resistant to stains and scratches. They are low maintenance and easily cleaned with soap and water, while highly resistant to grease and stains. While easily installed, damaged areas are more difficult to repair and can be a more expensive fix. Soap and water are all that’s needed for cleaning, making it a low maintenance option. Soapstone darkens over time, so if you are matching a specific color scheme, soapstone may not be the best fit. They are resistant to heat and stains and you can replace individual tiles for less expensive maintenance. Small stones and accent materials are also able to be added in when being poured. Concrete must be resealed every few years and broken portions can be difficult to repair with overall prices comparable to classic stone countertops. They can be easily installed and can be a very reasonably priced option. If left unsealed, periodic mineral oil treatment is required and hardwood counters must be cleaned immediately after food preparation on them to prevent bacteria build up.

Try The Trend: Marble In The Kitchen by porch.com

Having a beautiful kitchen is every entertainer’s dream, and the right-now material for a beautiful kitchen is marble. The tones and textures of marble make for a statement that’s both complementary and bold. These classic marbles are the quintessential white, grey-veined marbles most commonly seen in kitchens and bathrooms. The practical benefits of marble in the kitchen are vast, as the material is heat resistant, durable, and will not easily chip or dent. A backsplash is generally located in a vulnerable area for spills and splashes, so it’s necessarily to seal your marble backsplash or countertop with a penetrating sealant that will seep into the pores of the stone, adding a level of stain resistance. Keep in mind that sealants will need to be reapplied over time to ensure optimal protection. This material has the look of granite for a fraction of the cost, and is nearly as durable. So there you have it: marble countertops are versatile, durable, and relatively easy to maintain. Would you upgrade your countertops and backsplashes to marble? Whatever your style and space, there is a marble out there for you. However, marble is one of the more porous materials out there, making it susceptible to staining and etching. To keep your marble fresh, be sure to clean spills as they happen with a mild soap or liquid dishwashing detergent, as abrasive pads and even all-purpose cleaners are generally too harsh to use on marble. The price of marble by the square foot is also influenced by availability, slab thickness, and taxes involved with importing the marble from wherever it is quarried. Faux-marble laminate countertops have also gotten a lot of attention as the marble countertop trend has taken off. And although they are not the most inexpensive material, their quality certainly makes them worthy of an investment.

Marble Countertop Care Advice and Ideas by domino.com

Read on to learn how to care for your marble investment, and keep countertops looking beautiful and stain-free for years to come. Do you entertain often, have kids, drink red wine, or clean up frequent spills? The amount of action your countertops see on a daily basis will determine how frequently you need to seal them, but no less often than every six months (every three for heavy wear and tear). Surfaces should always be cleaned thoroughly of any soapy residue with a soft cloth.

The Best Way To Template Countertops | Duration 1 Minutes 36 Seconds And if a spill occurs, blot rather than wipe to prevent spreading the spill any further. Or, if you have specific questions, contact them directly and ask. In case you’re still shopping countertop materials, plan to do a little investigative homework before making the big purchase. Consider your lifestyle and how you use your kitchen on a typical day. The bottom line: marble is beautiful, but not a practical choice for every kitchen. Because a quality sealer prevents marble from absorbing liquids that cause stains and etching, meaning that if spills are cleaned up quickly, properly sealed countertops will be virtually unaffected. Use coasters and trivets to protect against spills and damage from heat. And perhaps the least obvious of all is milk – while it won’t stain, milk’s acidic properties will definitely etch a countertop if not cleaned up promptly. Specialty companies such as these (as opposed to big box retailers) are more likely to have quality answers to your toughest countertop queries.

The Worst Advice About Quartz Countertops by divinestoneworks.net

While 93% of man-made quartz is natural stone, the other 7% of the substance is what binds everything into a solid mass that can withstand a lot. For those who just want to be able to wipe up a stain (even if it’s a few hours later) and forget about it, quartz gets the job done. Quartz can be manufactured to look like anything from marble to granite. The perfect harmony of colors is reminiscent of the marriage of notes in a minuet. This popular material has seen a rise in interest recently, which can sometimes start rumors that lead to confusion. It’s just one of the reasons it’s beloved by gourmet chefs who don’t have the luxury of treating their counters like glass. The good news is that these repairs are relatively quick and easy on your own, so you can keep the look of your quartz countertops without having to hire a professional handyman. It can have a dull, polished, or rugged finish, depending on the style of your kitchen.

Sources:

No Comments - Leave a comment

Leave a Reply