The Counters Blog

Room Transformations From The Property Brothers Transformation Before And After Duality Keira Marcos

What To Expect When You Have Stone Counters Installed

Granite, marble, and travertine installation should always be done by a professional for a flawless result without damage to your home or the countertop itself. Small children and pets should not be allowed in the area while the stone is being carried through your home. Sometimes a bit of plaster from the wall is removed when laminate countertops and backsplashes are removed, but these defects can be patched up or covered with your new backsplash. It’s essential that the cabinets are as level as possible before heavy stone is put in place. Epoxy is typically blended and colored on-site to match your countertop as perfectly as possible. Holes for the faucet and soap dispensers may be drilled on-site or ahead of time. It’s important to understand what you should expect during the installation process, as stone installation is not a fast or easy process. Here’s what you should expect and how you can prepare for your new countertops. If a cooktop will be installed, covering nearby furniture and belongings is a good idea, as there will be dust. If removal of the existing countertops is included in your installation, the installers should do their best to avoid damage to your walls and cabinets. Blocks are used to further secure the stone to the cabinets. It may be risky to attempt to transport stone with a hole this large to your home. This will need to cure for about 12 hours before your faucet and plumbing are connected. Once your counters are ready to use, make sure to clean them regularly with a specially formulated granite countertop cleaner.

My FAUX Marble Countertops by simplygrove.com

But one not so obvious idea is temporarily changing your countertops. Amazon carries other options, like black, white and black marble. It was probably on there for about 6 months and left no residue behind. What are temporary details that are easy to change back when you move out? We all swoon over marble kitchens, like the one above. The existing materials were in the tan/brown family, so it wouldn’t have worked to just use it on the counters. You could totally do this in your bathroom too!

Preparing Your Kitchen For New Granite Counters by keystone-granite.com

For example, how should you prepare your kitchen for new granite counters? The secret to a successful kitchen renovation that includes installation of granite counters is in the preparation. Here are some things you can do as the homeowner to make the process easier for the installers. Ensure that empty spaces such as alongside appliances like a range or refrigerator can support the weight of a countertop. Moving two large slabs together can be tricky, and the seam often has to be done onsite to guarantee flushness. For example, how much of the sink do you want to show on an under mount countertop installation? Either way, your installer needs to know these kinds of details. The contractor will then use an epoxy that is tinted to match the surface of the granite, making the seam even more difficult to locate with the naked eye. The first is rather basic and requires using thin strips of plywood, called luan, and a hot glue gun to create rectangles to fit the spaces in your kitchen. Regardless of which method of making templates your contractor uses, each one can create equally flawless results in the end. The plumber still needs to hook everything up before you can use it. Finally your countertops will be installed, and the only thing you will have left to do is to pick out a backsplash. And when that is finished at last you are ready to enjoy your kitchen granite countertops. Seeing your small kitchen electronics neatly lined up on a stunningly attractive countertop is something no homeowner in his right mind would turn down. But as a homeowner, you may have questions about how having new kitchen countertops actually works. After all, something has to happen between the time you buy the countertops in the retail showroom and the time you get to use them in your kitchen. Some of the things will fall on your shoulders as the homeowner, while others will be the responsibility of the contractor. Make sure all cabinets are permanently installed and that they can sustain the weight of a granite countertop. This will allow the installers to make the template to the exact specifications of the sink for a perfect fit. If space needs to be cut for them, then they will need to be on site before the day of the countertop installations as well. Others, like eating at an island, might accommodate sitting at a counter-height stool. Another frequent trouble area is where a countertop ends over a dishwasher. On the day of your granite countertop installation, you still may be needed to make some last minute decisions. You might prefer to let some of the top flange show on all sides of the sink. One benefit of granite is that you can hide the seam along the vein in the stone. The second method involves a type of process which is called photogrammetry, using photos of the spaces within your family’s kitchen, as well as high-tech templates using paper targets instead of the wooden luan. After the templates are done, the manufacturer will fabricate your new granite countertops. When it comes to renovations, especially in the kitchen, scheduling is everything. Although the faucet holes will also be drilled at this time, do not be fooled.

How To Install New Countertops On Old Cabinets by thehappyhousie.porch.com

But most of us don’t get to do those kind more than once in a lifetime. If your kitchen condition is not good then you need to renovate this. I am a visual learner, so being able to see the difference means a lot to me. I would hate to do it only to find out that we did it wrong, however. We used construction adhesive all along the newly levelled surface, and then placed the new countertop down. For this you first you should make a plan in which way you want to renovate the kitchen. As there are different types of flooring material so you have to decide which flooring material should you select. And if you want to install new counter-tops on an old cabinets then your blog will give the best idea. My wife really likes the look of marble on the counters and so we might be doing that as our summer project.

Granite Countertop Installation Process Overview by foxgranitecountertops.com

The first thing you want to do is the day before we’re coming or the morning of, is to clear off your countertops. If minor adjustments need to be made, we’ll take a piece back outside. We’ll bring it back in and you’ll never know the difference. The under mount– we’re going to put underneath the countertop, cut out grooves on the outside of the granite underneath so we can bolt it into place so it’ll stay there for life. We want to give you guys the best possible seal so nothing happens to your countertops. After that, we’ll bring every single piece in, one by one, and make sure it’ll fit right. If everything is all good, we lift the countertop up, we glues it down, we sets it permanently. We’ll still put some adhesive and of course, we’ll caulk this gap right here so no water gets in between. After we get all of these pieces beautifully installed like you see right here to as close as perfection as possible, we’re going to clean everything up with acetone. Now, this stuff is the highest rated seal that we could find on the market and the most expensive. Of course, at the end of the day, we want you all to see it. And then we clean up everything and leave it as clean as we entered your house.

Replacing Cabinets and Countertops In A Kitchen Renovation by todayshomeowner.com

Since new cabinets are usually the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel, this decision is often determined by your budget. When purchasing new cabinets for your kitchen, buy the highest quality cabinets you can afford, and pay close attention to the materials used in construction and the durability of the finish. Like natural stone, manmade stone is heavy and needs to be well supported. In addition, it’s very heavy and can crack if not supported properly. But improved edge treatments and realistic patterns have made plastic laminate a more attractive alternative in recent years. I am in the process of renovating my kitchen and this sounds like an interesting option.

FAQs About Granite Countertops by tcdiscountgranite.com

We try stay on time as much as possible but sometimes things arise at the job site that is beyond our control and may cause us to be at a job site longer than expected. If you are fine with us disposing the sink and faucet along with the tops they may still be attached to the countertops. When we leave your home the sink is fully installed on (or under) the countertop, but a plumber or the homeowner will have to re-connect faucets and drain lines the next day after all the adhesives and caulks have fully cured. You can always use cleaners specifically formulated to help clean and protect stone surfaces as well. More attractive stones are in higher demand and if they come from a distant land in small quantities the price will be higher. Also note that all natural stone contains small "pits" to varying degrees. You will however be able to see and feel all granite seams. Even though we have one guy drilling and another holding the vacuum it is impossible to catch all dust. However, we recommend that you re-seal your granite counter top the day after installation because we do not know how long that sealer has been on the stone. We do everything we can to minimize the dings but occasionally damage does occur to the sheetrock and paint. It comes to us from overseas like you see it in our yard and showroom. We radius the bottom edge when we polish the edge to your edge selection, but we do not polish the under side of the slab. We will do our best to call and let you know if that happens and that we may be arriving later than our expected window. Who disconnects my plumbing and electrical connections before you come to install my new tops? Therefore, we can not disconnect your plumbing or electrical connections. Can you re-connect my electrical and plumbing connections? Therefore, we can not make electrical or plumbing re-connections. It is composed of various minerals and is susceptible to wide variations in color, texture, spotting, veining and cracking. Why is some granite more expensive than others and are the higher priced granites stronger? Some of the toughest stones are also quite cheap and some of the most expensive can be very fragile. These are simply small voids between grain boundaries and some of the most expensive stones can be full of them. Most granite installations will require at least one or more joints called seams. Additionally, our care in manufacturing ensures that edges fit together very tightly to help lessen the appearance of visible seams. We will vacuum up our mess, but do not wipe down the cabinetry. Under-mount sinks are cut and polished at our shop and attached at the job site. Even though we do our best to lessen the dust it is the responsibility of the homeowner to remove any soft glide hardware or anything they fell the fine granite dust will damage. Your granite will be sealed prior to installation by the quarry. You can purchase the water based sealer at any large box store. Is there a chance that my walls will be dinged during the installation of my counter tops? Will the underside of my granite be smooth like the top? We do not touch the top of the surface of the granite. We do not touch the underside of the granite either. This warranty covers seam separation for one year from the date of installation. Because it is a natural stone, granite may have fissures which look like cracks; these pose no actual structural problems.

Our Remodeling and Design Process by granitetransformations.com

They are also perfect for commercial settings such as restaurant counters and bar tops, office tables and countertops, hotel kitchens and bathrooms and so much more. Give your kitchen or bathroom the gorgeous look it deserves, without the stress and time associated with a traditional remodel. Our employees ensure that your installation is completed with the utmost professionalism. Our process is fast, easy and we can complete your countertop installation in as little as one day.

California Crafted Marble by yelp.com

On the downside, after a year we are still waiting for a piece of backsplash that was never installed. We are also disappointed with the mixed quality of the seam work. He came to my home to measure, and assured me that his installers only needed to shim the new countertops, no sub counter support required. Then his template guy came and said yes, installing on the existing supports would not be a problem. Third, there’s a two to three week wait at every step of scheduling, so getting your countertop installed takes months. Center island counter had to be replaced twice due to mis-measurements (first attempt) and mis-installed (second attempt). They laughed at my wife and said nothing would happen – totally dis-respected her. Price is right and they have great customer service! I was told 5-10 business days and they would be back to install! Rebecca said she would work on it and call me back by the end of business day. She tried very hard to assure me she was doing everything she could to get me scheduled but it seemed like they had a sudden rush. I don’t usually get upset about stuff, but this really chapped my hide. They were very responsive and the work completed quickly without a hitch. Below are photos that include a beautiful join at one end of a seam and an uneven join at the end of the very same seam. Everything went smoothly until it came time to schedule the templating and the install. Second, when he says he has your work scheduled, he actually doesn’t and you don’t find that out until you call the day before the work date to try and find out what’s going on. Finally, when your countertop is installed, you find that multiple obvious blemishes are present. This was the only place we could buy a small counter top for our bathroom! Multiple mistakes on our kitchen counter tops that were never fixed despite many requests. On the third install for the island my wife asked the work-men not to park their truck on our new driveway which had just been poured. After that my wife was scared to have them back to our house to fix the counter that was cut short and never fixed after 3 requests. Would strongly recommend against either company for any kitchen work. They have done hundreds of countertop installs for my company. Terrific experience from initial visit to final installation. She seemed to go above and beyond, answered all my questions, and seemed so wonderful. Got it measured in no time and they were nice enough to put down fresh plywood sub tops for me. She gave me a tentative date which would have put me at a total wait time of 13-14 business days. Suddenly now they have a fabrication machine down and are backlogged. He took his time with us and made sure that we were 100% satisfied for our decision on the cut. Their customer service is outstanding from the sales person to the office scheduler to the installers. During the entire process, they were super organized and extremely helpful!

How To Remove A Countertop: 13 Steps With Pictures by wikihow.com

Instead, cut renovation expenses by carefully removing old fixtures yourself, which will leave room for your beautiful, new countertop to be installed. It is important for the space where you’ll be working to be clear when you begin the removal process. Remove everything out of the drawers and in the cabinets underneath the countertops. For example, remove the stove and microwave out of the kitchen. Turn the emergency shut-off valves for each fixture clockwise to the off position. Chop away at the layer of dried adhesive under the rim of the sink to free it. Remove any remaining mortar or adhesive with a caulk remover or chisel. While someone supports the sink, remove the brackets underneath the sink. The sink should come out easily once it is freed from the counter. Then, pry the adhesive away from the backsplash with a putty knife. Some countertops are held in place with screws that go all the way through to the base cabinets. Put the claw of the pry bar under the rim of the counter, and press down on the free end until the countertop begins to lift up. This frees the countertop and also reduces its weight, making it much easier to lift out. Remove the rounded, bullnose tile along the front of the countertop. When the tile is removed, go under the counter and use a screwdriver to take off the brackets holding the countertop to the base cabinets. Most natural-stone countertops are heavy, and therefore difficult to remove. The base cabinet can easily be damaged during the procedure. Unless they are being removed as well, you will not want to damage them. If they are not damaged, you can put try to give away the countertops for free. If its an all wood vanity, then perhaps a sharp razor blade or a sharp putty knife would work. The idea is to do this evenly over all of the attachment points. The saw will slice through any screws or nails that are holding the fixtures together. Wear work gloves and protective eyewear when doing any renovation project. Then, leave it to sit for 1 hour before using a putty knife to pry the adhesive away. To lift the countertop, place a pry bar under the rim of the counter and pull down slowly on the other end until the counter lifts. I was missing when trying to remove my kitchen sink and counter tops. You can hire someone to do the job, but it isn’t necessary to do so in most cases. Place all of the items in a safe location that is out of the way. If you’re working in the kitchen, all of the appliances will need to be unplugged and moved away from the countertops. To safely remove your old countertop, you’ll first have to disconnect the water lines to the sink and gas lines to the stovetop. Disconnect the supply lines from the valves using an adjustable wrench. If you have a garbage disposal, disconnect it from the sink as well. If you have a drop-in fixture sink, use a chisel or putty knife to pry the sink away from the countertop. If the sink is fastened to a tile countertop, chisel away the quarter tiles along the sink’s perimeter. Get help to lift out the fixture, especially if it’s large or heavy. If the sink is an undermount type, unfasten the screws holding it to the countertop. Use a flat chisel to remove the caulk that acts as a seal between the countertop and sink. Simple work the putty knife under the countertop, and work all the way around until the counter is loose enough to lift up. If the counter is attached to the base cabinet with nails or an adhesive, use a pry bar to remove it. Use your chisel and a hammer to remove the laminate coating from the backsplash. Remove the tile from the surface of the countertop with a flat chisel. First, carefully pry the tile running up the backsplash away from the wall. Repeat the process on the tile glued to the countertop, slicing between the mortar and wood underlayment. After removing the top layer, check to see if there is any wood. They are either attached to particle-board underlayment or epoxied directly onto the base cabinets. It’s usually best to have a contractor do this type of removal. During the removal process, check for cracks or damage in the shelves. It is best to call in a professional to complete the removal if you do see damage. You will likely not want to leave the old countertops laying around. It’s also an option to reuse the material as countertops in your garage or laundry room. Go slowly and work all the way around the seam in the front and back to avoid splintering the wood. Keep jamming the pry bar end, which looks like a chisel, to lift up the countertop. Cut horizontally between the countertop and the base cabinet. This is especially important when you’re removing tiles, which can chip and break, or using a power saw. If your countertop is attached with screws, open up the cabinets and pull the screws out. If your counter is tiled, remove the tiles with a chisel to lighten the counter before trying to lift it with the pry bar.

How To Install Plastic Laminate Kitchen Countertops by todayshomeowner.com

Now, we were able to buy from a counter supply company that actually has a fabrication shop that did a lot of the work for us. And t he material the homeowners selected here kind of a combination of a matte and a little bit of a gloss finish with texture. What we want to do with that, that’s where we put the two countertops together. Stainless steel sinks simply drop into the cutout area and then clips are added from below to lock them in place. Or, if you have the option, pay a little extra and have the shop who made the tops put it together. Watch this video to see the steps involved in installing plastic laminate countertops in your home. If you look here on the back of the small piece, you’ll see these four little sections, and this will actually accept a miter bolt. But first, you need to seal around the perimeter with caulk so spills can’t leak through. You can see how much easier this is to do before the counter is installed. Another job that’s much easier if you’re not lying on your back inside a cabinet. They usually are experts at it since they probably do several of them a week. My contractor told me that there is a power than a liquid paint to put on top of the surface, so after it would look like granite.

Concrete Countertops by countryliving.com

Of course, you can prevent cracks to a certain extent by adding fiber reinforcement, rebar, and/or wire mesh. Thankfully, those fractures are usually not super noticeable and pretty easy to repair. Concrete is notorious for flaunting flaws—the most common complaint of unhappy homeowners. You won’t find anything on the market that’s indestructible. While some may be bothered by the imperfections, others love the rustic look and embrace the rich patina that develops over time. But if you love the rugged aesthetic and are passionate about patina, go ahead and give it a try. Plus, weigh the pros and cons to see if cement counters are right for you. Does the thought of a hairline fracture make you cringe? That’s because the porous substance can absorb liquids and even bacterial growth, which is why it’s incredibly important to seal the surface upon installation. Yes, concrete can scratch and stain, but so can pretty much every other material, including granite and marble.

Bathroom Sinks Including Counter Top and Semi Recessed : UK Bathrooms by ukbathrooms.com

One tap hole with options for a semi or full pedestal and chrome towel rail. We also have a number of double sinks for the ultimate in his and her luxury! Wall mounted, corner mounted, pedestal or a sink that stands on its own cabinet. If you need a pedestal or cabinet to mount the sink on then we can supply that too, all at very generous prices we think you’ll find hard to beat. Choose from a rounded or squared pedestal to adapt the basin to your particular bathroom vision. This hardwearing unit will provide an impressive focal point in your bathroom for years to come. It is a standard-sized basin, and its size and durability make it ideal for the family home. One, two or three tap holes can be selected to suit your bathroom requirements. An optional matching pedestal will neatly hide any unsightly pipes. Its short projection of just 415mm makes it a compact unit for smaller spaces, and it also comes with a lifetime guarantee. This wall-mounted basin can be supplied with a fitted full or half-sized pedestal to give the piece a statuesque presence and hide all visible pipework. Pair with wall mounted taps or freestanding mixers to suit your layout. Chrome rails and an underslung towel option are practical extras. With its higher than average height, this washbasin is a great choice for taller people or those of us who enjoy a higher basin height. Inset basins maximise on space, leaving the countertop free for storage and other uses, therefore making them a great practical and aesthetic choice for the smaller bathroom. Saving space above, and being very easy to clean, this basin is excellent for smaller spaces. The minimalist curves will add a pleasing contrast to the other lines in your bathroom. Whether you want minimal or maximal, we have a corner basin option to suit you. Choose from white, pink or blue to match your bathroom look. This makes it a great piece for slotting in where space is tight. A fine silica glaze is pure, smooth, and delightfully tactile. We will help you to find the ideal sink, whether you have a super modern sleek and luxurious bathroom, or something more traditional. At the other end of the scale, we offer some seriously large sinks to make a statement in a spacious bathroom. We can see the attraction of having your own sink, but we do sometimes wonder if couples ever stand to brush their teeth next to each other! Below are just a few examples of our range of gorgeous washbasins. Perfect for a minimalist contemporary style bathroom, this basin can be installed into a countertop or mounted on the wall, depending on your layout. Below are some examples of our most beautiful traditional basins. This means it is versatile enough to incorporate into traditional or bathrooms. A chrome towel rail or washstand is complimentary extras to help you customise your basin setup. Its stepped cut and geometric detailing add an architectural feel. Its step effect and fine white ceramic finish are fully in keeping with the vintage style. Set in or atop your countertop or work surface, they will complement your chosen bathroom style with a minimalist centrepiece. You can choose between model variations both with and without tap holes, and this is a versatile unit that can be fitted with a mixer tap, or fitted to complement wall-mounted taps to create an even more striking look. The upturned, scalloped form is a gorgeous centrepiece that will bring tranquillity and style in equal measure. This model is supplied without a tap ledge and is suitable for use with free-standing mixers or wall-mounted taps for a unique look. Inset basins also allow for easy cleaning, so are perfect for the busy household. Installation is made easy with a cutting template and fastening set supplied as standard. This makes cleaning easier, and helps support a healthy and hygienic bathroom – so not only is this a stylish choice, it’s a highly practical one. The basin can be custom matched with a variety of brassware and waste options. This basin would gracefully complement any wooden or mineral countertop.

POLL: Matt Or Glossy Kitchen? by houzz.co.uk

Perhaps we took it to the extreme with a matt glass splashback and tap! Definately helps in smaller kitchens so the light bounces off to make the room feel bigger and brighter. We think this looks sleek, modern, and is easy to keep clean! Since then our clients have opted for hand painted matt or mid sheen finishes. Matt is definitely more in character with the building for me! To me, there are already enough reflective surfaces in the kitchen in the form of ovens, hobs etc that the matt provides a nice contrast. The finish has proved so durable and easy to clean that it is only now going to have a colour change. The rest of the room including ceiling has been repainted every three years or four years. Our kitchen is very busy with two small children running around and we have no trouble with the doors, even covered in little finger and handprints.

Kitchens With No Uppers: Insanely Gorgeous Or Just Insane? by stylebyemilyhenderson.com

So then, of course, there’s the next iteration of the kitchen. In fact, we’re pretty sure they’re really old, but at some point in the early- to mid-aughts, these babies were everywhere. But that onslaught of dark, sultry cherry left room for something a little lighter to break up the denseness of that look…ladies and gentleman, here comes the glass-front cabinet to save the day. Lower units are for storing all that not-great-looking stuff…after all, who doesn’t need a junk drawer/cabinet that’s in plain sight but also hidden from the judging eyes of the world. If it takes a step ladder to get to, likely, this is not everyday stuff. If you don’t need a ton of kitchen space because your home cooked meals are actually just bowls of cereal, it makes sense to not plug up walls with bulky cabinets directly in your line of sight. The set of kind-of shabby plates you managed to hang on to for a decade that actually belonged to an old roommate (and you’re not sure how you even ended up with them). Think about it – you only need a portion of the materials/labor. From specialty dividers and organizers to hidden interior drawers, it’s definitely much easier these days to have a super efficient kitchen with less bulk. But alas, ours is a small galley kitchen with way too little storage in the first place. Are base cabinets are all drawers making it super smooth and easy to find stuff. It helps that we’re empty nesters and don’t need quite as much. Due to window placement and our desire for unobstructed views from the family/dining room to the kitchen, we had to do without almost all upper cabinets (aside from one over the fridge and one over our double ovens). My husband (who does most of the cooking) is 6’7″ and was originally horrified at the thought of having to bend down to reach things. We used tile on the walls (all the way up to the ceiling) to provide some visual interest and most people don’t even notice the lack of upper cabinets. It’s like the “modern traditional” look: i can appreciate the look in a picture but it doesn’t feel invinting. We’ve been successful to some extent with ongoing editing of the cabinets, but still: in our considered house, there’s still a ridiculous excess of stuff. I constantly clean and am amazed how much dirt and grime is always there. Of course supermarkets are used but so are markets (not just farmers markets) as well as corner shops for the odd top up. What is it about this look that we can’t seem to quit? To put it in more food terms, a “no uppers” kitchen is like the perfect plate of cacio e pepe – it’s just pasta, pasta water and a whole heap of cracked black pepper and parmesan cheese…so simple yet kind of mindblowing. We’re not even saying it’s necessarily for us, but it’s nice to dream about and discuss, so discuss it we shall. Your plates and whatnot are kept away from dust and grease and all the other stuff that flies around a kitchen somehow, but you have the ability to display your prettiest china. A few rows of wood shelves gave the appearance of a “chef’s” kitchen. It’s like all those crazy brows people were trying and then posting photos of – remember barbed wire brows? But all of that huge wasted wall space makes me feel wasteful. I will admit the kitchen was tiny-tiny (6’x7’) with no ventilation. I couldn’t be happier and back to loving cooking and baking again. As far as the no shelves or uppers trend is concerned – whatever floats your boat. Everything fits, we don’t have open shelves and keep nothing on our counter. And if you do one eliminating the uppers you’d have to do at least two sets of base cabinets with shallow drawers, 8 total to hold all your spices and glasses and utensils and plates and cutlery. And one large wall will have 5 windows in lieu of upper cabinets. I think we can pull it off as a family of 6 is that the space is double what we currently have now, so that means more lower cabinets. However, there have been no complaints since, especially since we used drawers which are easier on his back! We also put cabinets on both sides of our large peninsula to maximize storage. I find the cabinets to be the most beauiful and statementmaking part of a kitchen and without them it just feels unfinished. It’s got to go and this upcoming kitchen reno without upper cabinets is a great excuse to get the hidden clutter our of our space. What do you think about toe kick cabinets to help with more space? Didn’t seem to get any dirtier than the other cabinets at all. I think they work especially well in open plan homes so that the kitchen blends into the living space seamlessly and doesn’t dominate. If you have draws that pull out all the way, items aren’t mislaid at the back. A brilliant place to display that antique teapot, milk jug and sugar pot that you will never use for fear of breaking but love to look at. Europeans don’t buy food in bulk – rather daily / bi-weekly – and therefore don’t need the same amount of food storage space. Also – the kitchen is mainly used for kitchen crockery/china and if you have have a dining room the best stuff is kept in the sideboard.