The Counters Blog

At 50% to 65% less than stone, you can have the look you want while your budget remains intact. So probably this is a good new for people who were ready to buy granite counters. Made by various manufacturers and known as honed, etched, or textured, they not only look like stone but feel like it as well.

5 Sustainable Countertops That Are Better Than Granite by ronandlisa.com

On the plus side, soapstone is almost completely non-porous, which means it resists stains well.On the minus side, it is still a stone that requires quarrying, which means there is environmental damage done when it is extracted. It also needs regular oiling to keep the surface from getting a blotchy appearance. One has to weigh the pro’s and con’s and find the best solution for them. People pretend they care about durability, but in reality, in 10 or so years they grow tired of their kitchen and want something more current. I cringe at all the home shows with young kids demanding granite. I have spilled natural food colorings all over it by mistake and no staining.Seal does not last long, any citrus cuts through the stain that was used on the counter tops leaving a horrible mess. Granite is by far the most durable surface that comes in 1000’s of colors and styles to suit your needs. Wood dries out quickly, removing the moisture kills the bacteria. As you mentioned, it will not stain no matter how strong the source is. Like before, the accidentally hit the milk bottle on the table which caused the floor to be filled with it. Soapstone has pluses and minuses, so it really depends on what you are looking for in a countertop. It is also less brittle than granite or marble, so chipping isn’t as big an issue. Because it contains talc (which gives it that soapy feel to the touch), it is softer than granite and can develop scratches and dents over time. We don’t personally have stainless steel countertops, but do have ss appliances which are great and finger- and smudge-proof (ish). In this case, the sanitary, durability and heat-resistant are qualities that would have to supersede the fingerprint issue. Granite countertops may look attrative and durable but there are other types that are equally as tough and adorable. At least with laminate countertops, you don’t have to feel half as bad about ruining the planet every time you feel like updating your living space. The radiation coming from smoke detectors is a higher concern than granite, although neither are really worth losing sleep over. This effectively makes the porosity level excellent for defending against stains. Its made to look like granite countertops but its a manufactured material and will never have that one of a kind mystic about it. All of the products have come a long ways and all have certain looks that can look great but the question is for how long and with how much care and maintenance? Your old maple cutting board is far superior to granite, corion, and other pourous materials. Much of the soil that you see comes from the bacteria and its break down of trees and tree parts over time. The rock has been their a lot longer and in much the same state during that time. This is perfect for those with kids like us since they spill everything.

Our Granite Worktops Range: Mayfair Granite National Worktop Specialists by mayfairgranite.co.uk

We have a large, extensive variety of granite worktops in stock. Things like placing a hot pan on the surface, or using the surface as a chopping board can be done with no visible damage, but we would advise against this. A surface sealer is applied during the manufacturing and polishing process to create an impenetrable shield against all kinds of common kitchen germs. A common, missed benefit of granite worktops is the additional value they can add to your home. Deemed a good investment to your home, your granite worktops will never lose their value once fitted. These should help you build a clearer understanding of the granite worktops you’d like in your home. If you have a contemporary kitchen such as a handle-less kitchen with clean straight lines then you should probably go for modern plain coloured granite worktops, which complement most contemporary kitchens. There are many to choose from and the final decision will depend on your colour scheme. It really depends on personal preference and the look you want to achieve, you can either have granite worktops that match the colour of your kitchen units, and these look a lot subtler. However, if the room is well lit and has natural lighting then why not go for a darker more durable granite worktop. Upstands can be a great cost saving option compared to tiling the walls. Other options include pencil round, which is the top and bottom edge of the granite slightly rounded off. Due to the fact we keep all our granite in stock and we have the largest stock holding of granite in the country, means you do not have to decide on the final colour till we start cutting your worktops. Making sure that you have chosen the right granite worktop is vital, be sure to use samples and expert opinion to assist you in your decision.

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Inexpensive Alternative To Granite Countertops For Your Kitchen From Today’S Homeowner Video Channel | Duration 57 Seconds Having said that, sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate some styles, so we’ve made it our personal task to try and help you out as best we can and educate you on certain types to clarify any questions you may have. What makes each granite unique is the different grains and patterns. These popular choices help retain the light in your home and are a good option if you prefer a less statement look but wanting to make your kitchen feel much bigger. Unlike the black granite options, the white granite patterns are clearer and offer a larger variety due to the lighter shading. This worktop and other white variants look stunning paired with any style of kitchen. An added bonus is that a well maintained granite gives an excellent shine and reflection allowing the stunning natural material to showcase its patterns. All our granite worktops are stylish but cheap and affordable worktops, with a premium and plush finish. We store all our granite in our warehouse and it’s cut to demand, making our process faster and cheaper, giving you the perfect granite worktop, cheap and high quality. There are a number of ways that granite worktops are sold these days, whether they are through kitchen companies, through second hand acquisition or direct from the supplier. Mis-treated granite worktops can also impact the value of your house. Buying direct from the manufacturer, the main benefit asides from all the positives that granite provides, is you are provided with a warranty so you have complete peace of mind. Our mission is to provide customers with the highest quality products at the most competitive prices all the while delivering exceptional levels of customer service. Granite makes an excellent kitchen worktop due to its heat resistance and ease to clean. The complexity and density of the material, alongside the pristine finishes achievable through cutting and polishing make granite worktops an appealing choice over laminate and wooden worktops. Granite’s excellent durability means that it has resistance to pressure, wear and tear as well as being heat resistance making it ideal for the kitchen. Due to the way granite is formed and polished before fitting, it is an extremely hygienic and easy to clean surface. Naturally, granite is a slightly porous material (allows passage of liquids through its pores), so we seal your granite worktops to keep them germ free. Because granite is a solid and hard-wearing material, it is likely to last a lifetime over the cheaper wooden and laminate worktops. What kitchen style do you have / are you looking to achieve? On the other hand if you have a traditional kitchen such as a shaker or in framed kitchen then you need to go for a more textured and patterned granite worktop. Do you want the granite worktop to be a statement or a subtler and sleek look? Alternatively you can have worktops in a different colour to your units these will create a great contrast and will be the focal point of your kitchen. This really depends if you want to make the room light and airy then we would have suggested going for a lighter coloured granite worktop, which will reflect light back into the room. Window sills really do complement the rest of your granite worktops and will not need replacing overtime like traditional wooden window sills that can be damaged by water in your kitchen or need painting in the future. Additional options are half bullnose, full bullnose and ogee, but these options can be expensive and make your worktops look very traditional and dated.The ultimate decision of which colour to go for can be a bit daunting especially when you have such a wide range of colours to choose from. Our stone masons are always on hand to help you decide on colour. So when our stone mason visits to make exact replicate templates of your worktops, they can help you decide on colour whilst being in your kitchen. There are variants and types up into the 100’s that are all completely unique to one another in pattern, hence why you will never see one type of granite exactly the same as another. To begin, you will find below a number of different, high quality and more common types of granite worktops that we have described in a little more detail. Although black is perceived to be a solid colour, there are in fact a large variety of black granite worktops different to one another – we sell around 10 variants of black kitchen worktops alone that all have different colour pops, patterns and shades. Classy and clean in appearance, white granite kitchen worktops come in a large variety of options, with intricate patterns and shades which really showcase the beauty of this natural material. Additionally, granite worktops are best preserved when polished as this helps retain the perfect granite – ideal for your home, and also for re-sale value when the time comes. Our cheap granite worktops deliver the same high quality and finish as many of our high end products. Buying direct from our showroom avoids any third party costs and potential communication issues. There are many downfalls when not making a purchase direct from the supplier due to the complications that can arise, and the chain of sales that is also caused from buying through middle men. The kitchen company will act as a middle man and purchase the worktops from a granite supplier, most of the time you will not even know which granite supplier they will use until they turn up at your door. Finally due to the fact granite worktops are a bespoke product mean second hand worktops may not always fit your kitchen.Additionally, there are no middle man commissions involved, the price you are given is normally a trade price – the granite is cut with precision from raw granite slabs, prepared and delivered / fitted in your home. The same stonemason will then be at hand to fully fit your brand new granite worktop into your kitchen, making sure that it fits as per your specification and is polished to a high quality.

Remnants South Florida by halfpricecountertops.com

Just like the full size stone slabs, our remnants come in many different colors and patterns so you’ll be able to find the best match possible. Buying a remnant is far cheaper than buying a full size slab and you’re still getting a beautiful piece of stone at an amazing price. Remnants are smaller pieces of stone which cannot be used for a full size countertop. There are hundreds of different ways to use stone remnants to improve the overall look and feel of your home. Come in with your idea and we can outfit you with the perfect stone for the job. Just like the full size stone countertops, remnants are extremely durable and will last a lifetime.

How To Remove Stains From Granite Countertops » How To Clean Stuff.Net by howtocleanstuff.net

Here are guidelines for determining the problem and the necessary steps to resolve it. Use these guidelines to determine whether the spots you are seeing are in fact stains or if they are areas of damaged stone. Not caused by the stone absorbing an agent, but rather caused by damage to the surface. Some examples of things that might cause these stains are toilet bowl cleaner or spilled white vinegar. It needs to be determined if the damage is to the stone or to the protective coating/sealant. Begin by mixing the poultice (ex: talc powder and hydrogen peroxide). Apply the mix to the stained area, keeping it only on the stain. Remove the tape and plastic wrap only, leaving the poultice in place. This can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. If the stain remains, you may need to repeat steps 2-6 several times, especially for oily stains, each time removing more of the stain. The granite may darken or lighten in color when the water is absorbed into the stone. To prevent this absorption from happening in the first place, it is necessary to seal the surface of the granite with a high quality sealer. If hardwater stains occur, they can be removed by applying vinegar to the area using the same methods as above. You can also consult the location where you purchased your stone for advice and service options. If you have dark stains that are only around the faucet, these are usually caused by the oils in the plumber’s putty used to seal the faucet. You can try only removing the finish, however it is likely that the bleach has penetrated into the stone. It can be done, just be gently so you only remove as much stone as needed to remove the stain and no more. If the stains were scuffs, an eraser would work to remove them. However, since you described the stains as four circles, that sounds like oil stains. It appears shaving cream drips were left unattended for more than we week and now left dark spots. Dying granite is very tricky because the stone is made up of a variety of minerals, each of which would absorb the dye differently. However, a sealant will not prevent future damage, such as etching. If you are that stupid/lazy, how did you afford the granite in the first place? How long do you have to let something sit and fester for that to happen? I had granite counter tops installed about a month ago and we have noticed a water stain building up around the ring where the faucet is installed. I applied a poultice of talcum powder and acetone, covered it, and let it sit overnight. I was very nervous about applying the acetone onto the granite but it didn’t damage it at all! Over the weekend, we had many people in and out of the house and at some point, someone placed an empty glass on the art work. Worst part is no one noticed it for a day or so…the ink was blue and the granite is almost white! Would the hydrogen peroxide and talc be the best solution to try? Next, you need to determine what caused the stain so that you can apply the correct materials to remove it. If you are unsure, consult a professional before proceeding. Corrosion, typically caused by acids, leaving “rings” or “water spots” that cannot be removed. You cannot remove a “stain” that is actually damage as it requires repairing/removing the damaged area. The layer of paste should be about one fourth of an inch thick and overlap the stain about a half an inch.Allow this to remain on the stain until it is completely dry. When the paste is completely dry, use a plastic scraper to scrape away the paste. However, once the water evaporates, the color of the stone should return to normal. Did you get yours out, and if so, how did you do it? To remedy that, the area will need to be sanded down to below the stain. Art gum erasers work best, but any eraser can work – just don’t use a pink eraser as it may leave pink stains. There are other spotty areas which are mystery marks, but my guesses would be toothpaste, eye drops, as well as the identified shaving cream. Also, there is no guarantee that the dye would cover up the marks/stains. The sealer that you need depends on the particular piece of granite; some stones shouldn’t be sealed at all. I find it hard to believe that everyone is able to afford granite countertops, yet do not have the capacity/willingness to read the article above. Vague references to hydrogen peroxide and talk about methylene paint thinner isn’t much to go on. We removed the faucet and have left it to dry for 5 days now and the stain is no different in color than when we started the drying process. We have a partially granite kitchen table; a glass of gin and tonic with lots of ice was put on it and now we have four ring marks and cannot remove the marks. What kind of poultice would be best to try to remove the stain? If that is the case, your best option is to darken the spot, rather than try to turn the entire counter back to the lighter shade. The water coming from the outside of the glass caused the ink to bleed into the granite. Does any one have any ideas on how to hide this or remove it?