Remodeling

Dec 16 2021

Questions to Ask When Buying New Kitchen Countertops

The process of buying new kitchen countertops isn’t as simple as ordering through a catalog or website. It requires thought and planning. After all, you want your new countertops to look good, last long, and match well within your space. Ultimately, you will be using your new kitchen countertops for years to come.

As with any new purchase, it always helps to be equipped with the right questions before making a purchase decision. Understanding your needs and concerns will help you to ensure your kitchen looks exactly how you envisioned it. We list some of the important aspects to keep in mind before remodeling your kitchen.

How Do You Choose the Best Kitchen Countertops?

When it comes to your kitchen counters, appearance and functionality are key. Whether you choose natural stone or a more unique option, here’s a lowdown on what you need to look at to strike the right balance between form and function.

What Are the Best Countertop Materials to Use?

There are so many to choose from depending on the overall style and design of your room. Some countertop options include:

Marble: Marble countertops give you a clean, polished, and contemporary look. Due to its softer material, marble is not always as durable as other options. A sealer can be applied to help protect the marble from staining. However, it will still be prone to scratching and etching. One popular option of marble to consider is Carrara marble. Named after the region in Italy it originates from, Carrara marble looks light gray and often displays a subtle hint of blue.

Granite: A popular option is granite countertops, which are amazingly durable, completely natural, can be easily cut into various shapes and sizes, and are also heat-resistant. Granite countertops display a polished appearance that can add an upscale touch to your kitchen. When it comes to variety, you will not be without options. Colors range from black to white, brown, red, and others depending on the mineral content. Some popular finishes include leathered and honed.

Quartz: If granite and marble don’t cut it for you, you can also consider quartz countertops, which are usually a mixture of natural quartz with a resin binder. Quartz countertops are an excellent alternative to marble. All the beauty with none of the maintenance. It is a durable option, and far less porous than marble. Quartz counters resist stains well and do not require sealing, making them one of the most practical options for you to consider.

Soapstone: You can also opt for soapstone, which gets its name from the natural talc it contains that lends it a softer or soap-like texture. While it’s not the most scratch resistant option, it also has advantages in that it is not only non-porous but is resistant to stains, bacteria, and heat. To protect soapstone, oil is to be applied to help wear and tear. As the soapstone countertops are used, a patina will form over time, providing you with a rustic and natural look.

What Should You Know About Cleaning?

Look for durability and stain-resistance when buying new kitchen countertops. That way, your countertops can be cleaned with water and mild dish soap or a gentle, all-purpose cleaner free of harsh chemicals. It’s important to consider picking the right material for the right purpose. For example, marble looks fabulous but it is porous and prone to scratching and etching, which means that if you spill red wine or juice on it, you will need to wipe it up quickly to avoid staining. A sealer will help prevent stains on marble, but this material does require more cleaning to prevent damage. So, if you’re looking for heavy-duty use, granite will work best, as it’s durable, heat-resistant, and extremely hardy.

What Is an Edge Profile?

Edge profiles may sound insignificant, but they add value when it comes to making your kitchen look modern and up-to-date. You can pick from bullnose style curves, s-shaped ogee edges that add a luxe element to your kitchen, or square or rounded edges, depending on your preference. To avoid accidents, square edges are best used in a child-free home. A half-bullnose is an excellent option for homes with children due to its gently rounded profile.

How Do You Install a Countertop?

A 45 square foot measurement is an average estimation of a kitchen countertop but, of course, this depends on the design, floor plan, and counter space of your specific kitchen. Countertops can be placed in a way that allows them to balance out a room. For example, a dark design can complement the effects of and highlight, white or light-colored cabinets.

When it comes to countertop installation, it is important to ensure they are cut with precision. After your countertop is leveled out and glued down using a professional sink anchoring system and silicone, the sink is attached to the stone. These steps are all completed the same day.

Contact Us Today

A kitchen remodeling job that involves buying new kitchen countertops can go a long way in dramatically improving the look and function of your space. However, new countertops require quite a bit of investment in time and effort. For this, you need experts with the right skills, insights, and techniques who can take care of everything from the installation to guiding you on the right options for your home. At GranitePro, this is exactly what we guarantee. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.

Nov 25 2021

Marble vs. Granite Countertop Options

Due to their natural beauty and versatility, both marble and granite countertops have become popular options in recent years. Both are available in a nearly endless array of shades and colors, accent virtually any living or professional space, and can be easily tailored to fit your requirements and budget.

When it comes to choosing marble vs. granite options, our team of experts at GranitePro can help you make the right decision and provide you with step-by-step guidance to make sure you love your remodeled home. Call us today at 410.875.7579 to schedule a free consultation.

Marble Vs. Granite – Which One Is Right For Me?

When it comes to choosing a natural stone countertop, you’ll want to consider the following factors:

Price
Number of technical details in the final product
Whether you are using prefabricated or custom slabs
The complexity of the design (number of seams, whether or not the counter is “U-shaped,” how it integrates with bathroom or kitchen fixtures, etc.)
Appearance (color, grain, and texture)
Grade of material
Location (home, bathroom, etc.)
Construction
Maintenance
Availability

Marble Countertop Installation

Marble, which is formed from recrystallized carbon, is a more dynamic substance than granite. It is softer and will develop a patina on the surface as it is used, changing its original appearance over time. However, this natural pliability is an ideal medium for projects that require fine detailing. Just bear in mind that it is more porous than granite, so any spills should be wiped up immediately to prevent staining.

In terms of color, marble presents with a more unified palate, with the textured veining appearing as intenser highlights (for example, in a piece of red marble, the veins will be a deeper shade of red). The size of the pattern tends to be larger than in granite. Commercial marble is also available in primarily white or black patterns. The overall effect is perfect for a job demanding understated elegance.

Marble is slightly more expensive than granite, starting at around $75 a square foot. However, rare varieties of marble can be costly, running over $200 per square foot. It also requires some more maintenance, which should be discussed with your designer during the planning stages.

Granite Countertop Installation

Granite is composed of a number of grains, including mica and quartz. It is the harder of the two stones, so granite tends to perform better against the basic wear and tear inherent in food preparation when it comes to kitchen remodeling. Granite generally does not change appearance over time if correctly sealed and maintained.

Granite contains several elements visibly embedded throughout the slab as multi-colored highlights, which will most likely influence your final design. This also means that granite is available in almost an infinite array of colors. The downside of this is that you may have difficulty obtaining an unlimited quantity of the same pattern; however, the natural variation makes it an excellent choice if you wish to make your countertops the central focus of a space.

Finally, granite is slightly more affordable than marble, running from approximately $40-$80 per square foot. The appearance of the stone is one of the significant factors determining the price of the material, with less expensive granite having a more subdued appearance. Granite requires immediate sealing after installation, which most contractors should handle as part of the cost.

Marble and Granite Countertop Installation at GranitePro

Although there are advantages to both options, relying on expert designers and technicians will ensure that either choice leads to an elegant home remodel. Call our team at 410.875.7579 for a free consultation to learn how GranitePro can help make your renovation project one of the best investments you’ve ever made.

Nov 15 2021

3 Natural DIY Ways to Clean Marble Countertops

If you’ve chosen a natural stone like marble or granite for your countertops, you likely love them, so you will want to protect your investment by caring for them correctly. Although correct sealant application will protect your countertops, using harsh cleaners can reduce their effectiveness over time.

DIY cleaning of your marble or granite countertops can be very simple when armed with a few tricks of the trade and made quite earth-friendly (and inexpensive) with a few common ingredients and tools you probably already have around the house.

Here are some guidelines from our team at GranitePro. Call 410.875.7579 to ask one of our experts if you have questions about DIY cleaning or maintenance.

Materials

The porous nature of natural stone lends to a beautiful final product, but it does require the occasional use of some gentle cleaning materials. These will include:

Baking soda (flour can be used as a substitute if needed)
Hydrogen peroxide
Gentle, unscented liquid dish soap
Isopropyl alcohol (70%, or diluted from 99% to 70% with clean water)

Other helpful tools to have on-hand include:

Refillable spray bottle
Plastic cling wrap
Scotch tape
Bowl and spoon or spatula
Microfiber towels, or old, clean cotton t-shirts

3 Marble Countertop Cleaning Tips for DIYers

Although you can buy a commercial cleaner specifically designed for use on marble, any mild, alkaline dish soap will do the job. The following three tips should allow you to tackle any stain on your marble countertops:

1. For general cleaning and maintenance, you simply need to:

Mix warm water and dish soap in a refillable spray bottle (about a tablespoon of soap to a bottle of water)
Spray the entire surface area of your countertop
Wipe up all residue with a clean cloth until dry
Buff with a soft towel
Store the remaining cleaning solution for later use

2. For most food or wine-based stains, you can spot-treat the stained area with hydrogen peroxide mixed with a few drops of ammonia.

3. Remember that marble is more sensitive to acid solutions like lemon juice or vinegar and can even contribute to the formation of dull etches that require re-grinding and polishing.

The bacteria-resistant nature of natural stone means you generally don’t need to worry about extensive disinfecting, provided the counter has a solid seal. However, should extra precautions be required, a quick spritz with isopropyl alcohol or antibacterial soap and wipe with a clean cloth is all that is necessary for a little extra protection.

Granite Countertop Cleaning Tips for DIYers

Cleaning and disinfecting granite countertops will be very similar to marble countertops. They can also be kept in great shape with a regular routine of warm water, mild soap, and microfiber towels.

For oil-based stains, you might try creating a poultice of baking soda and water in a bowl (until it is roughly the consistency of Greek yogurt or sour cream). Next, use a flexible spatula to spread on the affected area, cover with plastic wrap, and tape down the edges. Make sure to spot-test a small area first to ensure that the color of the stone won’t be affected. After you apply, let sit undisturbed for a day or two to let the baking soda draw out the stain. Rinse to monitor the results. Difficult stains might require multiple treatments.

For water-based stains, use the same process but substitute hydrogen peroxide for baking soda and water.

GranitePro: Your Granite Experts

Occasionally, even the best-maintained countertops may require professional cleaning and resealing. At GranitePro, our team of in-house artisans is here to help you with all of your marble and granite countertop needs. Call us today at 410.875.7579 for information on how to best care for our natural stone products, keeping them looking as good as new for decades to come.

Nov 05 2021

3 Benefits of Granite Countertops

If you want to give your kitchen a luxury overhaul on a budget, you might consider upgrading to granite countertops. Due to its natural beauty, durability, and affordability, granite is one of the most popular materials in modern design. It can leave you with a brand new kitchen or bathroom you’ll love in as little as one day.

Call one of our countertop experts today at GranitePro at 410.875.7579 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our professional in-house design and installation services. We can help you understand the benefits of granite countertops.

Granite Benefits for Your Countertops

1. Natural Beauty

Granite is quarried straight from the earth, lending a majestic, organic appeal to home decor. Each piece of granite is distinctive, featuring a complex array of colors, patterns, and textures. The natural veining undulates in a large wave, so small samples pale in comparison to the finished product. In fact, one of the most challenging aspects of working with granite is choosing the final stone, as they tend to all be so beautiful and unique!

Granite’s varied appearance not only lends well to virtually any color scheme but is equally at home in any space, from family homes to apartments to upscale hotels. In addition, it lies perfectly flat, which helps with food preparation and provides an elegant, seamless finish.

2. Durability

Did you know that granite is the second hardest common working material? It’s true–granite is literally rock-hard, second only to diamonds. In fact, it requires special lasers to section it into separate slabs and is far more durable than other common countertop materials like Formica or laminated wood.

This means that when granite countertops are correctly installed, they are likely to last for a lifetime, with only a small amount of yearly do-it-yourself maintenance required. If they ever require replacement, it will only be because you want to–not because you need to.

Unlike wood, laminate, tile, or other softer materials, granite is also:

Scratch and chip-resistant
Chemical-resistant and can hold up to both acid and base exposure
Stain-resistant, even to wine and coffee
Dirt and bacteria-resistant, lending to easier cleaning
Heat-resistant and will not blister or warp even if exposed to hot pots and pans

If a bit of damage is incurred with a dropped cast-iron pot, granite can be easily repaired with a small amount of sealant. However, typical spills, knife slips, and other routine bits of wear and tear are no match for a quality granite countertop.

3. Affordability

For a natural, beautiful, durable material, granite countertops are surprisingly affordable. Generally, they range from about $40-$200 per square foot, including installation. Some of the factors influencing where your project will fall in this range include:

Whether you use granite tiles vs. larger slabs of granite
The thickness of the slabs
The total amount of square footage
The number of seams in the countertop (seams are typically around one-eighth of an inch in thickness)
If backsplashes are used
Whether or not your contractor can acquire their materials directly or must purchase them from a third-party vendor

Most projects not only increase the overall appeal of a home but can actually result in a sizable return on your investment.

GranitePro: Your Source for Top-Quality Granite In Maryland

If you are looking for granite countertops in Caroll County, Maryland, we have your next kitchen or bathroom renovation project covered. At GranitePro, we have built our brand on quality materials (100% crafted by our own team of artisans), competitive pricing, and flawless customer service. Contact us today at 410.875.7579 to learn how granite countertops can make your home a more beautiful and functional space for decades to come.

Oct 28 2021

Granite Kitchen Countertops Installation

Granite kitchen countertops are in high demand as of late. They are a low-maintenance, beautiful, and durable option for a new kitchen and are a fantastic investment for those looking to sell their house. Whether you want a more stylish and functional home or are looking to add value to your house before a sale, new countertops are an exciting prospect.

Before you enjoy your new kitchen, though, you have to deal with the installation process. Whether you are installing your new granite kitchen countertops alone or using a team of installers, it can help to plan ahead and understand what goes into the process.

At GranitePro, we are Maryland’s granite countertop experts and have years of experience in countertop installation. We can help you understand the installation process and make it stress-free with our qualified installation team.

Call GranitePro at 410.875.7579 to learn how we can help create your dream kitchen today.

Consultation Services for Granite Kitchen Countertops

The first part of any renovation project should be establishing a budget. Granite countertops, while undoubtedly worthwhile, can be expensive. Fortunately, GranitePro offers a free consultation where we can discuss your needs, measure the space, and draw up some initial plans. You will be able to choose from a wide selection of material options, including:

Granite
Marble
Quartz
Soapstone

From there, we will draw up a price estimate for your unique project and begin the templating and fabrication process.

Templating and Fabrication

We will first measure and calculate the dimensions of your stone countertop and draw up a digital template. We will work with you to create the perfect design and layout for your kitchen, and our team will then send the template to fabrication, where they will cut your granite slab using our high-precision toolset. Working with GranitePro gives you access to a completely customized product, especially envisioned for your space and needs. This includes room for appliances, faucets, sinks, and electrical outlets.

Granite Kitchen Countertop Installation

Installing granite countertops can be complex and labor-intensive. Though this can initially be intimidating, GranitePro offers a wealth of expertise with our team of professional installers, who are all employed by GranitePro and thoroughly vetted. We will make the installation process safe, simple, and quick.

Preparation

When the day arrives, our team will begin with a tearout, removing the old countertops, as well as appliances, the old plumbing system, and the backsplash. You can make this part simple for our team by turning off the water ahead of time and removing the appliances that could obstruct the installation process. Make sure the workspace is clean and clear of clutter.

Installation

Once all the preparations are complete, our team will begin the installation. They will position the new countertop on top of the cabinetry and affix them to the walls, appliances, and sink. Be aware that the adhesive may need up to 24 hours to set fully. Our team will also take special care to minimize any seams, making them as unnoticeable as possible.

Sealing the Granite

After the granite is installed and the plumbing and appliances are reconnected, the last step is to seal the stone. Since granite is a porous stone, water, and other liquids can easily damage or stain it if your counters are not properly sealed. Our team will apply a granite sealant, which will repel damaging liquids and ensure your countertops will last for years to come.

Schedule a Free Consultation With GranitePro

If you want to bring the beauty and convenience of granite kitchen countertops into your home, GranitePro will make the process quick and straightforward. Best of all, at the end of the installation, you will have an investment to last for years to come and a high-quality custom product wholly tailored to your needs. Contact GranitePro today at 410.875.7579 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation and estimate.