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Stone Countertops

You can choose from a stone countertop, marble countertop, granite countertop, or quartz countertop. Marble countertops are more porous than some other options but with regular care and maintenance still make a great addition to any kitchen. Granite countertops and quartz countertops are some of the most popular options for a kitchen. With many colors, options, and looks to choose from, select a stone countertop to increase the value of a home.
How To Polish Granite Counters Like A Professional | Duration 20 Minutes 23 Seconds Within each style there is certainly something to fit your taste and budge. They come in multiple colors and styles and bring the look of the outdoors in. And as they are easy to maintain, with proper care, their polished look will last a lifetime.

Kitchen Countertops Look Of Marble Durability Of Granite by houzz.com

We also love the look of marble but definitely dont want the upkeep, plus we are a cooking family so marble would not work. I think for a marble look, your only other option besides quartzite is quartz. Wondering what you ended up going with and how it turned out. Grey lowers, white uppers too but more traditional than rustic. I live in a good sized city and every granite yard seems to have a few slabs of quartzite, so not a huge selection, but enough. I see they have a 10mm now for countertops instead of the 6mm.

What Are Granite Counter Overlays? by foxgranitecountertops.com

You don’t remove your current countertops and it goes right in. In the early 90’s, when granite was brand new, there were only literally 1 to 5 granite countertop factories in a major city. They would take off people’s countertops, leave them literally without a kitchen sink, and use the countertops for six to eight weeks, then come back in and install them. They’re just doing two days in the shop, one day install, and all this lag in between due to backlog. A quarry uses the finest looking granite and they’d use three centimeters.

How To Install A Tile Backsplash From Lowes.Com Well, the response to this new idea kind of dominated for awhile was very popular. As it gets towards 2000, they were going to adjust to making real, actual granite countertops, and they did. And we’re always just two to three weeks because we keep a nice, steady flow, but not too much work coming in to where we’re just too busy. If not, you can still ask me on the phone anything you like about more detail on the subject. Because there were so few people doing it, they were backlogged. You’re doing a small, tiny renovation, and it’s as if they’re doing a multi-million dollar renovation where you’re completely out of place for six to eight weeks. It had to be thinner because you can’t put the same thickness of three centimeters and carry it over. Never mind the structural capabilities of the two centimeters material. It took awhile to really perfect it but, by the time they got to me, that’s the only way people do it these days, unless you do new cabinets. My family and other granite companies knows how to do it, which is you have to work with people’s existing countertops. We do a lot of adjustments in the install and are very good at what we do to make it work. One or two days of you without your kitchen or without use, not the lag in between. Because there are 150 companies, there are only four to six weeks backlog. So you kind of add everything together, lower quality material, thinner, and you still don’t save any time or money.

Four Ways To Get The Look Of Granite Countertops by bhg.com

Here are four ways to get the look of granite without the cost. The slabs are then custom-cut and installed directly over existing countertops. Learn the tricks to keeping a clean countertop in your kitchen with these ideas for getting the job done faster, smarter, and better. Decorative edges, such as this beveled treatment, provide more ways to individualize your countertop. Plus, laminate is nonporous, so there’s no need for sealing and resealing. Staron solid-surfacing is nonporous, making it highly hygienic and stain and impact-resistant. These surfaces are made by mixing stone with a specially formulated polymer that is cast into lightweight slabs. Old countertops can be re-covered in a fraction of the time it would take to replace them.

Make Countertop Installation Easy With Granite Overlays by thespruce.com

Or you can have two slabs that are cut at 45-degree angles and join at this cut.

How To Solder Copper Pipe With Tara | Duration 1 Minutes 22 Seconds If you prefer an overhang (apron), it’s possible to purchase slabs with an apron attached, or you can purchase extra-deep slabs and cut off the back inch and reattach as an apron to the front. Make sure you are dealing with full slabs as much as possible. This is because the distinctive patterning on one side will not be matched on the other side of the seam. Recommended is “something like mint brown granite” or other stone that has a consistent grain. Overlays are less expensive than conventional engineered stone or quartz countertops if only because they yield to do-it-yourself installation. And of those that do sell overlays, a great number are rather sketchy; they don’t instill a lot of confidence. By “thick,” that means that this is not film printed with the image of granite. Concrete is not a big market for overlays, but there are currently one or two that offer this. The idea behind mini-slab overlays is to fully cover the depth of your counter (front to back measurement), minimizing seams. As for the sink, you can buy sink kits of pre-cut stone, so that you only need to install the stone and set the sink in place with no cutting involved. You can lay two perpendicular slabs and fill in the square with a like-size slab of granite. The missing rear inch is filled in with similar material backsplash. They also say that colors like dead black or other uniform colors will show seams. After a while, though, homeowners do not notice seams so much.

8 Kitchen Counter Options That Will Make You Forget Granite by zillow.com

Its use in residential applications has skyrocketed in recent years. Granite’s durability, longevity and good looks make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other heavily used surfaces, including table tops and floors. Butcher block is the most common type of wood countertop, but slabs can be crafted from a variety of woods, ranging from cherry and bamboo to zebra wood and iroko. Embedded stones, tile or even silicone chips can be added to the mix to create a piece of art. The counters, which can be extremely heavy, are susceptible to damage from acidic liquids and must be sealed and regularly maintained to resist stains. Under-mount sinks are not recommended due to the transparent nature of glass. Stainless steel is stain- and heat-resistant but it can be scratched or dented. She has authored more than two dozen books for young readers and writes for a handful of regional home and garden magazines. Prices also tend to be more uniform and predictable, whereas granite will varyvaccording to color, cut, and grain. They are nonporous, meaning they less likely to break, chip, or collect bacteria. And the best part: zero maintenance required beyond regular cleaning. I think granite is one of the most popular materials for kitchen countertops and others like vanity tops in bathrooms. My experience with granite is that it looks great and functions very well! Wood, solid-surface, and laminate counters all have a little give to them. Laminate is inexpensive and lasts about as long as most kitchens go between remodelings. Adding a wood top to an island, while using a contrasting material for perimeter counters is a great way to add interest to the kitchen. Wear will give wood counters a charming patina, but you’ll need to periodically oil them to prevent drying. It is one of the only natural surfaces that is not affected by acids, so spilled coffee or orange juice won’t leave a stain. No special cleaners are needed to keep soapstone clean but mineral oils can be used to enhance the stone’s natural beauty. Skilled craftsmen can create beautiful concrete countertops in any color, shape and size. The result is a beautiful counter that’s durable as well as scratch- and heat resistant. Glass is tempered; polished square edge finishing or edge banding is generally recommended. Of course, steel isn’t the only metal countertop material on the market. Zielinski, “is that solid surface counters can be created with virtually no seams. It is easy to clean and gives the elegant look to your kitchen. You can often save 50% or more by going with quartz. Cost is around 18 of granite with an unsurpassed uniqueness. Kitchen granite countertops are durable, gorgeous and do a lot for your kitchen interiors. It looks great, but it pretty much guarantees that whatever glass or porcelain objects you drop on it will break, and joints are often a problem.

Porcelain Countertops by countertopguides.com

This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Countertops made from porcelain are supported by a long list of pros, and you can find them below along with the cons. It should be noted that clay rich in kaolinite typically also contains minerals including feldspar, silica and mineral oxides that add to its potential strength and gives it color too. Discoloration or color change is not a concern as it is with some other materials. In turn, this speeds up installation, reduces the potential for seam issues and ultimately reduces cost. If old countertops are not being covered, then plywood is usually installed over the cabinets before the porcelain countertop is added. If you do use harsh chemicals such as ammonia or bleach, they likely won’t cause problems. The more corners, cutouts and seams you have, the higher the cost per square foot is likely to be. These countertops produce clean lines with sleek fit and finish. The advantages that most stand out to many homeowners include the durability of the material, how easy it is to keep clean and the fact that it is very low maintenance since it requires no sealing or refinishing. On a practical note, if you have existing countertops that are in good condition and you want to reduce installation costs, then porcelain slabs installed over them is a money-saving option to learn more about when getting bids for porcelain countertops prices. It makes sense to get at least three estimates from contractors in your area. If possible, take a look at their work and/or speak to their references before selecting the company for the job. For the rest of us, porcelain is manufactured from a type of clay that is heavy in a mineral known as kaolinite. Clay rich in kaolinite is commonly called china clay, and there’s another clue to their quality and appearance. When producing porcelain slabs to be used in countertops, the kaolinite-heavy material is formed into slabs or tiles, coated with pigmented glaze and fired at high temperature to enhance strength and beauty. ]]> Slabs or tiles are also manufactured with a consistent color throughout, and the variety of colors and patterns is just one of the many reasons to consider porcelain counters. Here are the reasons homeowners are choosing porcelain countertops. Varied pigmentation of the raw materials creates a wide range of colors and hues, so you’ll find several that will work well with your existing décor or the theme you’re developing for a new or remodeled kitchen. Porcelain tiles offer the most options, but slabs in various colors are manufactured as well. Pigment and patterns combine to give you incredible options. Edges can be mitered in several styles to enhance the appearance. Larger slabs mean fewer seams/grout joints to break up the run of the countertop. While the porcelain countertop price is higher than laminated counters or ceramic tile – though less than granite and other natural stones – the investment is balanced by the longevity. This is just one of the many reasons they’re an attractive choice for bathroom, laundry room, workspace and kitchen renovation projects. The fired glazing acts as an effective barrier to moisture and provides outstanding stain resistance. Warm-water cleanup or wiping with a damp cloth is all that is usually required to maintain a clean, hygienic surface. Porcelain won’t burn, smoke or emit harmful substances when subjected to heat. When it comes time to switch out these countertops, they can be recycled for use in other products. They can chip and crack, but it takes more force and weight to do the deed than with natural stone countertops. If you like the look of marble, but are scared off by its brittleness and the fact it stains rather easily, then porcelain is an excellent alternative without those negatives. If those are among your priorities for your next countertop project, then be sure to consider porcelain countertops. Discuss their experience with porcelain slab countertop installation. As is true with every countertop type, only when porcelain slab countertops are properly installed will their potential for beauty, functionality and durability be maximized.

Stone Counters That Look Like Marble and My Pick! From Thrifty Decor Chick by thriftydecorchick.com

I had read that granite “gets busier” when it gets flat, and it looks more subdued on edge at the stone yard. I plan to top my small island with marble to satisfy that itch. I just posted about our kitchen if you have a chance to pop over and see it. I was just on the phone this morning with countertop fabricators and at a loss for which direction to go. They’ve been installed for about 6 months now and do have etches, but no stains. In my mind it’s just gradually aging or getting it’s patina as they say. Did you take a sample piece from your slab home with you to see it in your kitchens light? But the last few weeks, there’s been some kind of technical glitch that makes it very difficult to read. We wanted the look of marble but the durability of granite. We just installed the remnant and the guest bathroom. I think the granite that you chose will be gorgeous! If someone is on a tight budget they should take a look! It’s only been six weeks so we’ll see how they turn out in the long run. I was so glad to be able to take samples home to see what they looked like flat and in my space with my light. Unfortunately, it etches because it’s still made out of calcium carbonate which reacts with acid and is a softer mineral than quartz or feldspar that makes up a true granite. Even the cheaper of the stone options are expensive for a small budget! Sending over lots of positive vibes you get everything done! We are ankle-deep in home reno and a probably a week away from knee-deep. I took home looked so different in my home versus the warehouse. Our slab came from our fabricator – they polished it and installed it. I put the sink cutout area right over one of the purple-ish spots. They even made a lazy susan out of the left over granite for us as a gift. I will start reading, and then the page moves up and down repeatedly. I sing you are absolutely right about the amount of light a space gets affecting how the colors will appear. I tried many different granite sprays and most of them smell stinky and my kids would complain about the odor. Works great, has a quality spray nozzle and the “mandarin orange” scent is actually pretty! We had granite installed when we moved into a new home four years ago.