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Kitchen remodel

Advantages of Quartz Countertops in Your Kitchen

Kitchens are the most trafficked room in the house, and there is no single thing that ties a kitchen together better than the countertops. Choosing a new material for your countertops can be a daunting task, and while we offer many great choices here at Granite Pro, we know that there are many advantages to having quartz kitchen countertops installed. 

If you already know quartz is the kitchen counter material for you, contact us today at 410.875.7579 to schedule your free consultation and quote with one of our professionals.

Is Quartz Durable?

Kitchen counters have the potential to get pretty expensive, so you want to make sure that whatever material you decide to go with is going to last a long time. Quartz is a very durable mineral, as is the resin mixture used to bind the quartz together to make the finished countertop. When the mixture solidifies, you are left with a solid, non-porous material that is super strong and resistant to chipping and scratches. 

When it comes to durable counters, you will often hear people advocating for the natural stone granite – and while it is true that granite is strong and, in turn, long-lasting, quartz remains even more durable.

Quartz is a great option for those households that spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing meals because it resists most of the normal wear and tear that comes along with it. It is nearly indestructible when it comes to physical forces, but regular exposure to extreme heat may lead to discoloration over time. To prevent this from happening, make sure you lay down a potholder or some other kind of barrier between the counter and hot dishes.

Quartz Is Easy to Maintain

Maintaining your countertops is the most important thing you can do to ensure their longevity and make sure they stay looking nice. Quartz countertops are non-porous, so you never have to worry about resealing them as you do with some natural stone countertops like marble and granite. Another benefit to the non-porous surface of a quartz countertop is that it is resistant to bacteria build-up.

To properly maintain quartz counters, the only thing you need to do is keep them wiped down. A quick wipe-down at the end of the day will keep your countertops looking clean and new. Another key point in the maintenance of quartz is to prevent any extremely hot surface from coming into contact with the counters. If you do these two things, you can count on your new quartz counters to last you a long time.

Quartz Countertops Come in a Wide Range of Styles

Arguably the biggest advantage quartz has over other natural stone countertops is the variety of styles in which it is available for purchase. Since most quartz counter is made with epoxy resin, the color and pattern of the finished product are extremely customizable.

Other natural stones are only available in their natural color and pattern, and while these choices are still an attractive option, you might want something that better matches the overall look of your home. Quartz can be made into slabs that resemble other stones such as granite and marble and available in nearly any color. If you want a little more uniform style, quartz is a great option for your kitchen countertops. GranitePro supplies many types of countertops, including:

Learn More About Quartz Countertop Installation at GranitePro

If you are in the market for some new countertops and are interested in hearing more about all of the great advantages of quartz, you should contact us today at 410.875.7579, or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and quote with one of our trained professionals.

The 3 Biggest Benefits of Granite Countertops

Kitchens are one of the most common rooms in the home to be brought up to speed. This has to do with what a kitchen is used for and how it serves your household and guests. Above all else, a kitchen is a social room for friends and family to gather, mingle, cook, eat, and just generally enjoy others company.

This is why homeowners feel the need to keep their kitchen up to date – it is one of the first places visitors will see when they come in, and it’s a place where you will be spending a lot of time. 

Granite is a sleek and luxurious countertop material which has led to it being one of the most sought after on the market. Reach out to the experts at GranitePro at 410.875.7579 to learn more about the many benefits of using granite for kitchen countertops.

3 Biggest Benefits of Granite Countertops

Durability

Granite is a very dense stone that is not only beautiful but super durable as well. Granite is one of the most durable natural stones used for making countertops and is second only to soapstone. This durability makes it a great choice because countertops experience a lot of abuse over the years, especially in a heavily used kitchen.

You can count on granite to resist all of the common factors that countertops face on a day-to-day basis. The density of granite makes it resistant to chipping and scratching, and when sealed properly, it becomes resistant to heat, staining, and moisture.

Simple Maintenance

Taking care of a kitchen is pretty labor-intensive, so when you have the option to go with a super durable and low-maintenance counter material, why wouldn’t you? Granite used for countertops is sealed either before or right after the installation.

Once the granite is sealed and protected from any spills, the only maintenance you’re responsible for is wiping it down. The sealer essentially makes the granite non-porous, making it easy to clean and resistant to any bacteria and dirt building up on the granite.

Granite is one of the most durable stones available, but it can still be susceptible to chipping and scratches. If you chip or scratch your granite counters in rare cases, there is no reason to panic.

A chip in granite can be repaired fast, and by the time it is done, you won’t even be able to see where the chip was. A technician uses an epoxy-based filler the stone’s color to fill the chipped or deeply scratched areas. Once the filler cures, the technician will do any necessary polishing and then reseal the affected area.

Adds Value to Your Home

Since granite is one of the most sought-after countertop materials, installing it may be the difference between getting your asking price for your home or even selling it at all. Granite countertops are luxurious and eco-friendly and drastically increase the appeal of your home to potential buyers.

Since kitchen remodels increase the value of a home and granite countertops can be a part of a kitchen remodel, then by default, granite countertops increase the value of your home. While they may not directly make your home worth more money, having granite counters will undoubtedly increase the value to the home buyer and can result in larger offers for your home. Consider the following options:

Learn More About Granite Countertop Installation in Maryland

Granite Pro is one of Maryland’s most trusted countertop installation companies, and we would love the opportunity to show you why. Contact us today at 410.875.7579, or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and quote with one of our professionals.

Understanding the Fabrication Process

If you’ve been thinking about investing in custom-made countertops to improve your home’s overall look and value, you should probably understand the fabrication process. By knowing what goes on behind the scenes, you will be able to communicate your wants and needs better when the time for new counters finally comes. 

Custom counter fabrication can be broken down into three main steps: measuring and templating, fabricating, and the final installation. Understanding the process from beginning to end should give you peace of mind when coming to us at GranitePro because you will know exactly what it will take to get your bathroom or kitchen looking the way you want it. Find out how we can help by calling 410.875.7579.

Measuring and Templating

After calling us for your free in-home consultation and estimate, the next step in the process is for one of our professional technicians to come to your home to take measurements and create a digital template used for planning out your future counters.

Once we have the digital template, we can incorporate your customized wishes into the template until we have your new kitchen or bathroom counters’ exact design. This allows us to cut out the perfect-sized custom counters to avoid any seams common with prefabricated countertops.

Fabrication

At GranitePro, we source all of our materials from top-rated quarries across the United States to ensure you have the beautiful stone finish you came to us for in the first place. If you haven’t decided on a material yet, this is the stage where you need to because once the template is made, it is time for us to plan and cut your new counters to exact specifications.

Once you have decided on the material, then the plans and template are sent to our professional fabrication team so they can begin cutting out your counters. The template will include everything the fabrication team is going to need to ensure exact cuts so they can accommodate any added amenities or changes to the original layout.

  • Added electrical outlets
  • Cutouts for appliances
  • Change in shape
  • Plumbing 

These are all commonly adjusted aspects of custom countertops, and the fabrication team at GranitePro makes them happen at this stage in the process.

Installation

Once we have your new custom kitchen or bathroom counters cut out, it is time for it all to come together in the actual installation process. 

In-House Installation

Our expert countertop installation crews are all employed by us, and we never subcontract out our installation services. This is important because we ensure the quality of craftsmanship throughout the entire process instead of trusting somebody else with the job. For a completely custom experience, you need to deal with the same company from the beginning of the process to the end, which is what we give you the opportunity to do by using our own in-house expert installation crew.

Fewer Seams

We insist on using our installation crew because we can trust them to install your new stone counters exactly as we planned throughout the fabrication process, allowing for the minimization or complete elimination of those unsightly and noticeable seams.

We can generally eliminate all of the seams on your new countertop on new construction projects or projects with large enough clearing space. But if we are limited on space, we may have to cut the counters down into a more manageable size creating seams in the process. There is no need to worry, though, because our installation crews know where the least noticeable location for seams are and do a 5-star job of covering them up.

Learn More About GranitePro For Your Custom Countertop Services

If you are thinking about installing custom-made stone countertops, look no further than GranitePro. We promise to deliver you a completely custom experience from the initial template design to the fabrication and installation. Give us a call today at 410.875.7579, or contact us online for your free in-home consultation and estimate!

3 Advantages of Custom Countertops

Whether it is for a kitchen or a bathroom, custom-designed countertops are one of the fastest ways to add value to your home, both in equity and in aesthetic value.

When you think of the advantages of a custom countertop, the choice is a no-brainer. The three main advantages of custom countertops include selecting durable materials, seamless installation, and template services, and custom fabrication, so you are guaranteed a perfect fit the first time.

Granite Pro, experts in custom countertop installations, has the expertise and experience of over 16 years to provide you with the guidance you need to make the best decision for your home remodeling project. Reach out to one of our expert installers by calling 410.875.7579.

Custom Kitchen Counters

Kitchens are one of the most heavily trafficked areas in the home – it is one of the first areas you and your guests first see, so you want to make sure it looks and feels exactly the way you want it to. Having your custom kitchen counters built here by GranitePro, you can be sure of a job well done the first time every time.

Custom Bathroom Counters

Bathrooms are one of the most important yet overlooked spaces in the home. Installing the perfect custom bathroom counter allows you complete control of the look and functionality you expect out of your bathroom counters. Do you want a low-maintenance finish like quartz, or do you prefer the more luxurious look of granite and marble?

3 Advantages of Custom Countertops

Durability

GranitePro only offers top-of-the-line materials that are tried and tested to ensure a durable product that you can depend on for years to come.

Quartz and Soapstone

Quartz makes a great choice for a custom kitchen countertop because it has a non-porous surface making it easy to clean and super resistant to stains and discoloration. 

Soapstone is similar in its resistance to staining, but it does tend to patina over time. This wear is desired by some but is easily sanded out if you prefer a finer finish.

Granite and Marble

Marble and granite are unmatched in their beauty but do require a little more care, especially if you use your kitchen and bathroom all of the time. If you don’t find yourself cooking in the kitchen or getting ready in the bathroom all that often, then the maintenance requirements of these two surfaces are far less demanding.

Granite countertops are, hands down, one of the best stone counters you can install in your kitchen or bathroom. Due to their slightly porous nature, you will be required to have your countertops regularly sealed, depending on how often you use them. Cleaning should never be done with harsh or abrasive cleaners as they will scratch and dull the finish.

Marble is one of the most timeless, visually complex natural stones available. As a countertop option, marble does require some extra care. Marble counters need to be regularly sealed with a high-quality sealant to slow down the discoloration and patina process. Spills should be cleaned immediately, and regular cleaning should be performed daily with a soft sponge or cloth and non-harsh detergents and water.

Seamless Installation

By custom designing your custom kitchen or bathroom counters, we can fabricate them to exact specifications. This allows for a seamless countertop installation and a more finished look over traditional prefabbed counters.

If circumstances prevent us from moving the counters in whole, then we may have to have a seam or two – but again, having control over where the seam goes allows us to minimize how noticeable it is.

Through our digital template method, we can fabricate beautiful custom countertops for your kitchen or bathroom.

Free In-home Estimates by GranitePro

By choosing us for your custom bathroom and kitchen countertop needs, you can rest assured knowing your new counters are in the hands of professionals. Contact us today at 410.875.7579, or contact us online for 100% accurate and custom kitchen and bathroom counters.

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.

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