Bathroom remodel

Apr 09 2021

Can You Paint Marble Countertops?

Marble countertops add a touch of class and elegance to your home. However, you may be ready to change up the look of your marble countertops. Taking them out entirely can be an expensive proposition. Instead, you can paint your marble countertops to match your chosen aesthetic.

It may not have the appeal of real, new marble, but it can work if you need a quick fix. If you’re interested in painting your marble countertops, you can purchase products at a local hardware store for that purpose. Below are some tips on achieving your desired results.

Look for the Right Paint Kit

There are a lot of countertop paint options on the market specially designed for painting marble. Chalk paint is a popular choice for people who wish to paint marble countertops. It gives them a matte finish and takes less prep work than other paints. Epoxy paints add durability to your counters with a glossy finish that can make your marble look brand new.

Think about the effect you want to achieve with your marble paint. Most kits come with the products you’ll need to prepare the marble surface for painting. If you have trouble choosing one product over another, find an inconspicuous place to try out your paint and see if it gives you the desired effect. Before purchasing paint, we recommend contacting an expert.

Thoroughly Clean and Prep the Surface

Painting countertops means a lot of cleaning, even if you’re using chalk paint. That makes it much easier for your paint to bond to the surface of your marble countertop. Start by mixing ½ cup of ammonia into a ½ gallon of hot water, then add in vinegar and baking soda. Wipe your counters down at least three times to ensure their cleanliness.

If there are imperfections like divots present in your countertops, smooth them out with a piece of sandpaper. Try filling larger scrapes and gouges with acrylic resin epoxy. Once it dries, sand it down until the space blends in with your countertop. Clean the surface one more time to remove any residue left behind by your sanding efforts.

Paint and Seal the Marble Countertop

Start by applying a bonding primer and give it at least one full day to dry. A low-viscosity primer works well for painting countertops. Next, use a roller to apply a clear epoxy primer. You may want to apply two coats for your purposes. Apply a base coat of your countertop paint and let it dry overnight. Use a sponge to gently apply an even second coat of paint. Apply at least one coat of an acrylic finish once you’re done painting to protect all your hard work.

Hiring a Professional Vs. Do-It-Yourself

If you have confidence in your painting skills, it might seem like painting countertops would be easy. However, you may be better off hiring professionals to finish the job. If you want a professional-looking paint job, you will need to hire a professional.

They may be able to complete the job faster and more cleanly. If you’re not used to painting surfaces, then your attempts at painting marble countertops may not be what you expect. You may not get the paint even or forget to fill in imperfections. A professional painter with experience painting countertops may be more capable of giving you what you want.

Hire GranitePro for Your Marble Countertop Needs

GranitePro has years of experience helping residents in Eldersburg, Maryland, and surrounding areas renovate their homes with beautiful countertop surfaces. If you decide to go with replacing your granite countertops versus painting them, you can choose from our wide selection of stone products, including:

Call GranitePro today to schedule an appointment to go over your countertop needs by calling 410.875.7579, or contact us online.

Feb 05 2021

5 Reasons to Get Marble Counters

Marble is formed when limestone is exposed to high temperatures and pressures. Mineral impurities like clay, iron, and sand give marble its signature veins. Marble countertops have been a status symbol for centuries.

They are elegant, and timeless, and unique. When properly installed and sealed, marble countertops last a lifetime. The marble experts at GranitePro know how to find on-trend styles that work for your home. Contact us to learn more.

How to Know Marble Counters Are Right for You?

When it comes to choosing countertops, marble remains the top choice for many Baltimore County homeowners. It’s no surprise that marble countertops and backsplashes are such popular choices—the marble adds a timeless, dramatic appeal to any space. There are a lot of stone countertops out there. You could go with granite, marble, quartz, or soapstone, for example. When it comes to marble counters, there are a few key things you can expect. Here are a few of the benefits of marble counters.

#1: Marble is Beautiful

Hands down, this is one of the best reasons to consider marble for your home. You can choose those with deep, dark colors or fine veins and lines through it. You can select white marble, one of the most popular options that can offset any other kitchen cabinet color.

#2: Sealed and Protected

Marble counters are also beneficial when they are properly sealed. This helps to safeguard the marble and keeps fluids from penetrating the stone. For those who use their kitchen a lot, this is important to prevent stains.

#3: Heat Resistant

Some types of stone countertops are likely to suffer damage when a hot pan is placed on them. Marble is less likely to have that type of damage. While it is important not to shock the stone with very hot pans, it is less likely to suffer damage from something warm placed on it than other types of stone.

#4: Add Value to a Home

Marble counters add value to a home. Many times, these are highly valuable additions. It does cost a bit more because it is harder to locate and rarer to find. Yet, a well-selected piece of marble is going to enhance your home’s worth in most cases.

#5: Smooth, Soft Stone

For those who are looking for a smooth surface, marble does well. It is naturally smooth already. However, when you use countertop services like our own, you’ll see that we can significantly improve the smoothness of the stone. This helps minimize the risk of problems with etching that some people have.

Finding the Right Countertop Services for You

With a wide range of products available on the market, there’s no doubt it takes some time to determine which stone countertops are right for you. That’s why it is most important to see the stone in person and to learn about the options available to you. Marble counters are a valuable investment – you need to make sure they are correctly installed. That’s where our team comes into place. With exceptional service and an experienced team for all aspects of countertop services, you can trust us to be there to help you. Our services include:

Choose to Invest in Your Home – Call GranitePro Today

Stone countertops, beautiful marble counters, and other stunning natural stones add value and character to a home. They can set the stage for an impressive space, one that you love spending time in. For that to happen, you need the right team to help you. At GranitePro, our countertop services can help you every step of the way. To learn more, call us at 410.875.7579 or set up a virtual consultation online today.

Oct 05 2020

Choosing the Right Bathroom Sink Styles

Bathrooms rank up at the top next to kitchens when it comes to the most important rooms in a home. More and more Maryland homeowners are turning to designer sinks–also known as lavatories or lavs.

Choosing the right bathroom sink depends on your style, needs, and budget. There are four main types of bathroom lavatories: vitreous china, porcelain/enamel over cast iron or steel, and marbleized bowls or counter units, and Corian.

Contact the experts at GranitePro by calling 410.875.7579 if you have questions about having a bathroom sink installed in your home.

Vitreous China Sinks

These sinks are acid-resistant and durable. Although china sinks can be stained by rust, copper corrosion, and other substances, vitreous china is considered excellent material with good resistance to chipping.

Vitreous china can also be formed into luxurious bowls and even into original works of sink art. These are substantially more expensive than most other bathroom skins.

Porcelain or Enamel Over Cast Iron or Steel Bathroom Sinks

These are practically the least expensive sinks available. They are often less durable and more susceptible to chipping than other sinks. Choosing a good sink during a bathroom remodel can save you time and money down the road.

Marbleized Bowl and Counter Units

There are two kinds of marble-style bowl and counter units: acrylic plastic and cast methacrylate. Both of these can contain veining that simulates, in a highly polished surface, that of marble. These lavatories are often referred to as synthetic marble. They come in various colors and finishes, including high gloss models.

These sinks are often integrated into a vanity countertop with one-piece construction. They have an on-trend appearance, are easy to clean, and can be molded into beautifully patterned bowls. The main drawback of marbleized surfaces is that the finished layers are often very thin. A deep scratch can penetrate the coating and expose the white material underneath, which is very difficult to cover up or repair.

Corian Bathroom Sinks

Sinks and counters made of Corian are made with the color, often a bright white, mixed all the way through the materials. If scratched there’s no color change, and the mark can easily be removed with a brillo pad or fine sandpaper.

Corian can also be sawn, drilled, and filed with standard carpentry tools for custom applications. It’s one of the better materials for bathroom counters and sinks, but it’s also one of the most expensive.

What Are Some Styles of Bathroom Sinks?

Round, oval, and sculptured sinks can be purchased in a wide range of materials for a wide range of prices. The following are a few popular styles of bathroom sinks:

Wall-hung lavatories with no floor support or pedestal
Sinks supported by cabinets or pedestals
Sinks supported by metal legs
Sinks built into ceramic-tile surfaced counters
Glass sinks
Sinks recessed into countertops of plastic laminate
Single-piece sink and counter units, either modeled or sculptured

How to Choose a Bathroom Sink

A bathroom sink needs to be large enough for comfortable daily use. Most people choose sinks that are at least 20×24 inches. In a master bedroom, double-bowled sinks are a necessity for many couples. Every sink should have a backsplash along the back of the wall it’s mounted against. This will protect the wall from splashing water. A drip edge should also be included at the front and side ends of the countertop or around the tops of the basin lavatories to prevent water from spilling over onto the floor. Sinks need to have an overflow prevention catch hole that drains water after it reaches a certain level in the bowl.

If you are considering a new sink installation or replacement, contact GranitePro for the best rates, services, and professionalism by calling 410.875.7579.